Sooo. let me get this straight, u want to replace our AV-8s with a Helicopter?? WHY??
If u want to get technical, then get rid of the F-35 completely, cause we need it just as bad if not more then the USAF or USN. Our harriers are almost as old as the F-16s if not older. The Super Hornets are good as is since the Navy wants to invest in one airframe, we are keeping our D model hornets from what I have heard and the F-35B is a NEEDED replacement for our Harriers.
Hell, we are still using helos from Vietnam, the only exception being the Osprey. Why shouldnt we get a new plane finally? AF and Navy get new stuff, we are stuck with Crap from before I was born, and I am 28*. We get all the hand me downs and we dont wants that no one else takes. We need the F-35, like I said above. AV-8s are called flying coffins for a reason. My friend in Yuma has seen 8 crash in 2 years. At the rate we are going, we wont have any left for the F-35 too replace.
*This is just my opinion and from what I have seen in the last few yrs.