Mike Weeks napisal(a):

Well, since the "merger" has already taken place, then it's possible a
"breakup" could be the next step; but only if it's agreed to by the
major partner, the USN ...

I am glad you said that - I have noticed exactly the same. Look how the
story goes round: First both Navy and Marine used F-4 Phantoms, what
certainly increased the commonality between the both services. Then
Marine did not received F-14s, but some years later both services came
into possession of the same single-seat F/A-18 models. Then again USMC
refused to upgrade to F/A-18E/F&EA-18G. And now comes the time for
F-35B and F-35C, what can make USN and USMC "divided by the JOINT
aircraft type".

No, the USMC F/A-18s will serve both aboard the big decks, and ashore
-- as currently is being done.

As far as I know the Marines now are even reducing, as far as they can,
their contribution to carrier ops - so different than planned single
VMFA for each of ten CVWs in a few years...

Down the road, a good number of years from now, you might wish to
wonder what will happen to USMC fix-wing air (non-VSTOL) and how that
will impact the TAIP -- but given that just about everything now days
is written in jello, I might suggest waiting to see how the intro of
the F-35 series goes; it might then become more obvious.

I think what you suggest is a very good idea. Nobody knows until it
happens!

Anyhow, F-35 might be braking the boundaries between CV-TOL and STOVL
fighter aircraft, like the Russians might have found with their Yak-141
several years ago.

Best regards,
Jacek Zemlo