Lajos F. Szaszdi, Ph.D.
NATO air
operations began last March against Libyan government forces, under the mandate
of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 passed on March 17 and which allowed the
taking of ‘all necessary measures’ to defend Libya’s civilian population from
deliberate attacks by Muammar Gaddafi’s military and security units.1 Offensive operations against Gaddafi’s
air defenses began in earnest on March 19 under U.S. U.S. United
Kingdom France SAM ),
radar sites, and command and control centers.2
Twelve days later on March 31, NATO took command of Operation Unified Protector
to enforce a no-fly zone and arms embargo against Libya U.S. Libya U.S. U.S. U.S.
This paper,
written by using open sources intelligence research and analysis, has the
purpose of revealing the major U.S. Libya U.S.
The air and sea
platforms covered in this study are the following: E-3 Sentry AWACS, E-8C Joint
STARS, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, RC-135U Combat Sent, RQ-4
Global Hawk UAS, MQ-1B Predator UAS, MQ-8B Fire Scout VTUAV, EP-3E ARIES II, EC-130H
Compass Call, EC-130J Commando Solo III ,
USS Mount Whitney, EA-18G Growler, and
F-16C/D Block 50D/52D (F-16CJ/DJ).
Future wars,
whether conventional or involving mainly counter-insurgency operations, will be
decided through control of the air and space, through the exercise of aerospace
power.7 The emphasis in modern warfare is in intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, to know precisely where the
enemy is. It is as important as the ISR mission to exercise superiority over
the electromagnetic battlefield by dominating the electromagnetic spectrum and
thus “‘[m]aintaining the electro-magnetic spectrum as maneuver space’” for our airborne
electronic attack (AEA) and electronic warfare (EW) operations.8
Lieutenant
General David A. Deptula, former U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, has suggested that at the
present time it is of primary importance to develop the tools to conduct information
warfare by way, for example, of electronic warfare and cyber warfare through
the penetration and control of enemy computer networks.9
To carry out information warfare a sufficient number of ISR platforms are
needed. At least almost five years ago the problem was that the “‘Air Force has
lots of strike capability, but not enough [ISR] collection.’”10 For this reason, more air platforms
that were not originally designed for specialized ISR missions are conducting
them equipped with the appropriate sensors in what has been termed
nontraditional ISR. The goal of the U.S.
Key
to the prosecution of air operations in the future is the capability to conduct
persistent “cooperative” airborne electronic attack and electronic warfare, to
perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition
(ISTAR), and to achieve “weapons systems integration” and thus integrate all platforms
and systems involved through a network-centric warfare communications
architecture based on a distributed “IP-based network.”12 The key to this network-centric
connectivity is a secure “‘advanced data link and Internet protocol network to
move information at a much higher speed.’”13
By sharing the intelligence and information collected through various sensors
it would be possible to build a common picture of the electronic and/or
conventional order of battle of our forces and of the enemy forces, enabling a very
fast response against the enemy with non-kinetic and/or kinetic weapons.14 Information collected by “satellite,
large intelligence aircraft and national agency data” will also be shared by
the network.15 There will be a network
linking airborne sensor, communications, and strike manned and unmanned platforms
and weapon systems to space-based sensor and communications satellites, and
ground, sea surface and underwater forces.
Key
to victory in modern warfare is the execution of airborne electronic attack
(AEA), which includes “the offensive use of false targets, network attack,
advanced jamming, algorithm-packed data streams” for the purpose of breeching
and exploiting enemy communications and signals networks,” and “power surges”
to destroy enemy electronics through the electromagnetic pulses (EMP ) of “high-power microwaves.”16 There is also the use of directed
energy weapons such as lasers17 and
electromagnetic energy beamed from active electronically scanned array (AESA)
radars, in this case to burn the electronics of air defense radars and
surface-to-air missile (SAM )
command and control computers.18
In addition,
cyber warfare is a new dimension of warfare integrated into information warfare
and airborne electronic attack. Thus, “communications, cyber- and electronic
activity are starting to resemble each other operationally” because “‘communications
and data systems…have a lot in common… Some are the same system.’”19 Moreover, “the cyber realm…now has an
extensive overlap with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)”
which takes advantage of “[t]he rapid spread of computer and mobile communications.”20 One form of airborne cyber attack
consists in “locating enemy emitters with great precision and then directing
data streams into them that can include false targets and misleading messages
algorithms that allow a number of activities including control.”21
The U.S. Air
Force has offensive computer programs containing “algorithms designed to mine
intelligence or enable unauthorized takeover as system administrator” of enemy
computers.22 These computer viruses
would be contained in “data streams” beamed to enemy emitters to penetrate and hack
a foe’s computer networks. One of these programs is Suter, with Suter 2
allowing the intruder to an enemy air defense computer network to become it
system administrator and thus take control of enemy radars, for example
“steering them away from penetrating U.S. U.S.
ISR platforms,
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and airborne electronic attack aircraft are
not only key to prevail in air campaigns such as that conducted in Libya, but
are at the center of the Pentagon’s “Air-Sea Battle concept.” In this regard,
the U.S. military expects to face in a conflict with China an “Anti-Access and
Area Denial threat (A2/AD)” that includes anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM)
such as the DF-21D intended to destroy aircraft carriers, anti-satellite (ASAT)
missiles, electromagnetic pulse (EMP )
weapons, anti-ship cruise missiles, stealth fighters such as the J-20, unmanned
aircraft systems, submarines, and cyber warfare operations.26
New extreme low observable (ELO) UAS will be introduced to perform
intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and
airborne electronic attack (AEA) operations against the anti-access and area
denial threat.27 In this regard, Admiral
Greenert wrote: “Electronic warfare (EW) and cyber operations are increasingly
essential to defeating the sensors and command and control (C2) that underpin
an opponent’s A2/AD capabilities. If the adversary is blinded or unable to
communicate, he cannot aim long-range ballistic and cruise missiles or cue
submarines and aircraft.”28
Funding should
be provided for these future platforms as well as for the following manned and
unmanned aircraft, which constitute essential nodal points in the distributed
and integrated network-centric warfare architecture needed to dominate the
electromagnetic spectrum to thus prevail over the air, ground and sea.
This
study will proceed to identify the types of Command, Control, Communications,
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance – Networks, Airborne
Electronic Attack (AEA), Cyber Warfare, Information Warfare, and Suppression of
Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) platforms and systems in the U.S. military inventory
that have been employed in the Libyan Crisis and which are essential for the
successful prosecution of a modern war. These platforms and systems enable our
forces to achieve information superiority and information dominance,29 essential in modern warfare to know where
the enemy is and our forces are in relation to each other, so that our combat
assets can proceed quickly to defeat the enemy before he can attack us.
Airborne
C4ISR-N:
Airborne Early Warning and Control systems:
E-3 Sentry AWACS: The U.S. Air Force holds the largest fleet of Airborne Early
Warning and Control (AEW&C) platforms, deploying 32 Boeing E-3B and E-3C
Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft in seven squadrons.30 The value of the AWACS cannot be
overstated. It performs airborne radar surveillance over hundreds of kilometers
with 360º coverage, its radar having a detection range of 400 km against
aircraft flying at low altitude and of 520 km when “operating at ‘medium’
altitude.”31 The AWACS also carries
out tasks like “airborne Command & Control (C2), air and maritime
surveillance and battlespace management….”32
It can provide a picture of an air and sea battle space, displaying the
location of all aircraft and ships under its radar, both friends and foes,
relying the information to our command and control on land and on ships, providing
air traffic control to our air assets, and directing them to engage enemy air
and naval targets. Thus, according to the USAF, “AWACS provides situational
awareness of friendly, neutral and hostile activity, command and control of an
area of responsibility, battle management of theater forces, all-altitude and
all-weather surveillance of the battle space, and early warning of enemy
actions during joint, allied, and coalition operations.”33
The U.S. Libya Afghanistan Alliance Mediterranean to back the
Libya Libya US
Quality also
matters in the battle space of the 21st century. Of the USAF E-3B/C fleet of 32
aircraft, all are expected to be upgraded to the latest E-3G version, known
before as the Block 40/45 upgrade, by 2020.36
According to the USAF head of “AWACS 40/45 Production,” the latest
modernization of the Sentry “replaces a mission computer system originally
installed in the 1970s,” adding that “[t]he new system will have an open,
network-based architecture, enabling future net-centric modifications.”37 Still, the USAF received the original
34 baseline E-3A Sentry by 1984, with the first AWACS delivered in 1977.38 The legacy E-3, based on the venerable
Boeing 707 aircraft,39 is no
longer being manufactured.
There are plans
for the USAF to deploy after 2015 a new airborne early warning system known as
the AWACS Bistatic UAV Adjunct, in which an E-3 Sentry would play the role of
radar transmitter while a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle (UAV) would be the receiver of the radar returns. The HALE UAV with
bistatic radar receivers could be the Global Hawk or have a stealth design like
the cancelled Dark Star, which would allow the Bistatic UAV to operate inside
enemy airspace, thus increasing the radar detection range of an E-3. Also, the Bistatic
UAV would have a better performance in detecting stealth aircraft. The use of
the Bistatic UAV Adjunct would help reduce the number of Sentry aircraft in
operation in two regional wars fought at the same time.40 In addition, the U.S. Navy’s E-2D
Advanced Hawkeye AEW&C aircraft would also be able to operate in
combination with the Bistatic UAV.41
A candidate for
the Bistatic UAV Adjunct would be based on Northrop Grumman’s X-47C unmanned aircraft
system (UAS), an extreme low observable (ELO) subsonic aircraft with a wingspan
of about 52.43 meters, high altitude long endurance (HALE) flight, and with
wings fitted with wide radar antenna apertures. The Bistatic UAV Adjunct may be
essentially the same baseline aircraft, of modular design, as the one the U.S.
Air Force plans for its theater UAS, identified by the USAF as either the
MQ-L/O or MQ-La and which has been designed for ISR and airborne electronic
attack (AEA) operations deep inside defended enemy airspace.42
The USAF
eventually plans to replace the E-3 Sentry in the Airborne Early Warning
mission with radar-equipped satellites that would operate as space-based emitters
of radar pulses while the Bistatic UAV would receive the radar returns from air
or sea contacts.43 While recognizing the
value of an advanced space–based early warning system, it would be advisable to
have also manned airborne early warning platforms as a backup in case that in a
major war an enemy would disable our radar early warning satellites and Bistatic
UAV using GPS satellites for
navigation and which would be controlled through satellite communications. As a
Boeing official said: “How can you operate a fleet of … unmanned platforms that
are dependent on satellites? Because there’s this thing called satellite
denial. We’ve already seen countries around the world that have demonstrated a
capability to take our satellites,” adding that “…we’re seeing GPS denial, videos being hacked. Cyberwar is the
buzzword….”44
Also, the
command and control and “battle management” functions now performed by the E-3
AWACS system would be transferred to ground centers that would be part of the
Ground Theater Air Control System (GTACS), since neither the radar satellites
nor the Bistatic UAV Adjunct would be able to carry out those tasks due to
obvious weight and volume constraints.45
Thus, a future lack of an alternative and more survivable airborne platform
like the E-3 or the cancelled replacement of the Sentry, theE-10, capable of
conducting command and control of an airspace, would make our forces too
reliant on ground command and control centers that could be targeted with
ballistic missiles and cruise missiles armed with highly accurate conventional,
nuclear or electromagnetic pulse (EMP )
warheads. There is also the added threat of disruptive cyber attack against our
command, control, communications and computers (C4). Indeed, as Lt. General
Deptula said: “We need to look at designing command and control architectures
and institutions to become much, much more survivable.”46
An
example of the worth of the AWACS in counterinsurgency (COIN) warfare in Afghanistan province
of Helmand
E-8C Joint STARS: The USAF deploys 17 E-8C Joint STARS (Surveillance Target Attack
Radar System) aircraft, the largest fleet of its kind among all U.S allies. The
Joint STARS performs battlefield radar surveillance of ground targets, having a
radar range of “more than 250 kilometers.” Also, it “is an airborne battle
management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
platform.”48 The E-8C radar can “detect,
track, and classify” deep inside enemy territory moving land targets like main battle
tanks, armored infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled
artillery, road-mobile ballistic missile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL)
vehicles, trucks, and other utility vehicles. The radar can also detect low
flying, slow moving aircraft, helicopters, and radar antennas in rotation.49 With its radar and computer processing
power, the aircraft can generate a picture of the battlefield with the location
of enemy forces in relation to our forces, and transmit it near real-time to
our forces on the ground and in the air.50
The Joint STARS
is a joint program between the USAF and the U.S. Army. In the words of the Air
Force, “[i]ts primary mission is to provide theater ground and air commanders
with ground surveillance to support attack operations and targeting that
contributes to the delay, disruption and destruction of enemy forces.” In
addition, the E-8C is considered the only operational aircraft that can conduct
battlefield radar surveillance in real-time of a land area of the size where an
army corps would operate.51
The
aircraft used for the Joint STARS system is again the legacy Boeing 707, which
is no longer being manufactured. Before the program was removed from Fiscal
Year 2007, the USAF planned to introduce the next generation Northrop Grumman
E-10A, which would have replaced the E-8C Joint STARS.52 The E-10A would have provided in a new
Boeing 767-400ER airframe a “next-generation multisensor command and control
aircraft,” equipped with the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program
(MP-RTIP), a J-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.53 In addition of having an improved capacity
for detecting and tracking vehicles moving on the ground, the MP-RTIP would
have been able to detect cruise missiles. The E-10A would also have included a
sensor-fusion capability “of all-source sensor data,” and the ability of
“directing activities of manned and unmanned air and space sensor systems used
for surveillance and reconnaissance.”54
A
successor to the E-8C being promoted by Boeing for the USAF is the P-8 AGS (Airborne Ground Surveillance), based on the
P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.55
Even though Boeing has claimed that its proposed P-8 AGS
“would…be equipped with the same multi-mode radar as the P-8A, the AN/APY-10,” which
is a non AESA radar, reports state that the P-8 AGS
will be fitted with the Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS ),
a new radar derived from the Navy’s AESA AN/APS -149
Littoral Surveillance Radar System (LSRS).56
The LSRS was successfully used onboard modified Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol
aircraft in Iraq Afghanistan AAS radar.
Another option
is to upgrade the E-8C with the new MP-RTIP radar system originally intended
for the shelved E-10A. Even though the Boeing 707 airframe of the Joint STARS is
that of a legacy aircraft, the fact that it was rebuilt makes the E-8C on
average only about 10.5 years of age. In addition, there are plans to fit the
Joint STARS fleet with new engines.59
If the option of the MP-RTIP radar is pursued, there would be commonality in
terms of using the same radar system with the Block 40 version of the RQ-4B
Global Hawk High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS).60 An upgraded E-8C may be able to
control the RQ-4B Block 40 Global Hawk equipped with the same MP-RTIP radar.61 This radar, made by Northrop Grumman
and Raytheon, may have the ability of detecting individuals like the LSRS radar
made by Raytheon.62 The
E-8C Joint STARS, whose last rebuilt aircraft was handed over to the Air Force
in 2005, does have the added capability of serving as a command and control and
battlefield management platform.63 Another
advantage that an MP-RTIP-equipped E-8 may have over the P-8 AGS is the MP-RTIP system’s capability of detecting
and tracking air targets, including a tri-dimensional Moving Target Indication
(MTI ) of cruise missiles.64
A
probable future replacement of the E-8C might be the planned theater UAS, the
MQ-L/O (MQ-La), operating together with the Global Hawk UAS. According to the
USAF, the theater UAS is intended to “‘complement the Global Hawk’” and it will
be equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and ground moving target
indication (GMTI ).65 A key value of the extreme low
observable MQ-L/O (MQ-La) would be its ability to operate inside a defended
enemy airspace due to its stealthy design, as opposed to the Global Hawk.
It
may be that in the future the Joint STARS mission – like in the case of the
planned future AWACS Bistatic UAV Adjunct – would involve a bistatic radar
system in which the radar transmitter would be based in space in a satellite
equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), while the bistatic radar receiver
would be an airborne platform with a SAR.66
Thus, the bistatic radar receiver could be the Joint STARS and eventually a
bistatic UAV, which could be based on the RQ-4B Block 40 Global Hawk and the
theater UAS, the MQ-L/O. Like the abandoned E-10A, the E-8 upgraded with the
MP-RTIP system may be capable of controlling space satellites equipped with
Synthetic Aperture Radar or other sensors “for surveillance and
reconnaissance.”67 Such a modernized Joint
STARS could thus control SAR satellites and serve as the bistatic receiver of
radar waves emitted from space, or manage bistatic UAS such as the RQ-4B Global
Hawk and the MQ-L/O to receive the radar returns from Synthetic Aperture Radar
satellites. This latter function of controlling bistatic UAS would also be
performed from the ground. In the future, bistatic UAS like Global Hawk and the
MQ-L/O may control space satellites with SAR for bistatic radar surveillance
operations.
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye: This advanced version of
the E-2C Hawkeye will continue to provide airborne radar early warning and
command and control capabilities to an aircraft carrier battle group. In addition,
the Navy’s new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye will feature a new “communications suite
and net-centric architecture,” for the fast transfer of data and information to
other platforms, and “multiple sensor fusion capabilities.”68 The Advanced Hawkeye’s new capabilities
will make the E-2D a “FORCEnet enabler” which will further network centric
operations and improve command and control of naval operations.69 The aircraft’s advanced sensor,
communications and command and control systems will enable a marked reduction
in the reaction time from the moment a target is detected and identified to the
instant when our closest combat platform is ready to fire at it.70 Capable of operating over oceanic,
littoral and inland environments, the Advanced Hawkeye will support “theater
air and missile defense” of the aircraft carrier battle group, including when “interceptor
missiles” - understood to be launched from escort cruisers and destroyers –
will use their maximum range to engage a target.71
In this regard, the range of the naval Standard SM-3 Block 1 surface-to-air missile
designed for missile defense is estimated to be 1,200 km approximately.72 As mentioned above, the E-2D would be
able also to operate with a bistatic UAV to extend the range of its radar
coverage.73
Airborne Electronic Intelligence (ELINT):
RC-135V/W Rivet Joint: According to an expert, the RC-135 aircraft would have been
operating in Libya Middle East since the 1990 Operation Desert Shield, being
also employed over Afghanistan
One important
task performed by the aircraft is to collect the electromagnetic waves emitted
by air search radars and by surface-to-air missile (SAM )
fire-control radars to use the data and information collected to defeat an
opponent’s air defense system. The RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 30 High Altitude
Long Endurance (HALE) UAV would be used to complement the Rivet Joint fleet in
carrying out SIGINT operations.81 Rivet
Joint has been identified as one of the aircraft conducting cyber warfare
operations with the Suter computer program.82
RC-135U Combat Sent: The Air Force’s two RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft perform
“strategic electronic reconnaissance” operations for the national civilian and
military leadership. The Combat Sent carry out technical intelligence (TECHINT)
“of emitters and/or weapon systems of interest” by “[l]ocating and identifying
foreign military land, naval and airborne radar signals” for the purpose of
“providing strategic analysis” to be used by our forces.83 Thus, in the words of the U.S. Air
Force: “The Combat Sent records these signals for future references or for
extensive analysis by electronic systems theorists. Any information garnered
from the data will help determine detailed operating characteristics and
capabilities of foreign systems. Evasion techniques and equipment are then
developed from this knowledge that will detect, warn of, or defeat these
electronic systems.”84 Even
though the RC-135U Combat Sent and the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint have been
modernized thoroughly, the 19 aircraft that make up their combined fleet are
based on converted legacy C-135 transport aircraft, built for the Air Force between
1956 and 1965.85
Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft
System: Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4 Global Hawk is a
High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that
performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) for the purpose of
supporting ground, air and sea operations.86
The RQ-4 has been designed to give “near-continuous all-weather, day/night,
wide area surveillance.”87 The
Global Hawk’s long endurance enables it to sustain flights without refueling
for more than two days over intercontinental distances.88 In the words of Norman Friedman,
“Global Hawk remains in the air for much longer than a manned reconnaissance
airplane, so each of its sorties is equivalent to several manned ones.”89 Thus, to show its capabilities, in
2001 a Global Hawk carried out a flight of 13,890 km (7,500 nautical miles) to Australia
Displaying a
high degree of automation, according to the Air Force: “Once mission parameters
are programmed into a Global Hawk, the UAS can autonomously taxi, take off,
fly, remain on station capturing imagery, return and land. Ground-based
operators monitor the UAS’s status, and can change navigation and sensor plans
during flight.”91 The RQ-4 can be
operated from the continental United
States
Currently, the USAF
plans to deploy a fleet of 55 Global Hawks, of which 7 are the earlier RQ-4
Block 10, and 6 are RQ-4B Block 20. The mainstay of the Global Hawk fleet is
the RQ-4B Block 30, of which there would be 31. The latest version is the RQ-4B
Block 40, with a planned current total of 11 UAS.93 Earlier, the Air Force intended to
acquire a total of 78 Global Hawk UAS, but budgetary considerations led to
procurement cuts, like the decision to order only half the number of planned
RQ-4B Block 40 from 22 to 11.94
The Global Hawk is
intended to work alongside reconnaissance manned aircraft and space satellites,
with the Block 10, Block 20, and Block 30 versions providing imagery
intelligence (IMINT) through an integrated sensor suite comprising a synthetic
aperture radar (SAR) with moving target indicator (MTI )
plus electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensor systems.95 The Global Hawk Block 30 is also
equipped with the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) for signals
intelligence (SIGINT). Thus, the Block 30 version has been designed to complement
the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint due to its greater numbers and greater endurance.96 In this regard, it is possible that
Global Hawk would be capable of conducting offensive cyber warfare with
computer programs such as Suter.
The RQ-4B Global
Hawk is intended as a future replacement of the famed U-2 reconnaissance
aircraft.97 In addition, it could
serve as part of the AWACS Bistatic UAV Adjunct plan to extend the radar
surveillance range of airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. As mentioned above,
the Bistatic UAV will operate in the future in combination with a radar
satellite in lieu of an AEW aircraft.
The latest
version of the Global Hawk, the RQ-4B Block 40, will be equipped with the new
Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) AESA radar.98 As discussed above, the MP-RTIP would
be capable of detecting and tracking moving targets on the ground, probably
including also individuals, and air targets such as cruise missiles. Moreover,
the RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40 could be part of a bistatic UAV system in which
it would receive ground surveillance radar emissions from a space satellite.
Two
YQ-4A Global Hawk UAS technology demonstrators were used during Operation
Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan MBT ), considered to be 38
percent of the Iraqi tank force, 13 surface-to-air missile (SAM ) batteries, over 70 single SAM mobile launchers, 50 SAM
locations, and 300 missile containers.100
Although the Global Hawk flew only 5 percent of all USAF intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (ISR) missions of Operation Iraqi Freedom, it accounted for
over 55 percent of collected images of ground targets needed to support air
strikes against them.101 Global
Hawks have participated more recently in surveying the damaged Fukushima Japan Libya
The
early Global Hawks were designed to perform intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) flights “in low to moderate risk environments.”103 The newer RQ-4B Block 30 has been
criticized among other things that its infrared sensor is less capable at long
distance, although “it operates well directly over the target.”104 This would not be a problem, as the
extreme low observable MQ-L/O theater UAS would perform instead of Global Hawk
ISR operations well inside enemy defended airspace.
MQ-1B Predator Unmanned Aircraft System: The U.S. military and the USAF
in particular have pioneered the use of unmanned aircraft systems over the
battlefield. In addition to the wars in Iraq Afghanistan Somalia Yemen
The tactical
value of the unmanned aircraft system was stressed by the former vice-chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retiring U.S. Marine General James Cartwright,
who in relation to the use of Predator UAS in the Libya operation said that
“[w]hat they will bring that is unique to the conflict is their ability to get
down lower, therefore to be able to get better visibility on targets that have
started to dig themselves into defensive positions…. They are uniquely suited
for urban areas.”106 An
example of the successful use of UAS in carrying out air strikes was the attack
of August 10 in North Waziristan ,
Pakistan
The multirole unmanned
aircraft system has demonstrated its flexibility in support of air strike
operations in Libya U.S.
In
Afghanistan, for example, the Predator has been used to provide real-time video
images and target coordinates to AC-130H Spectre gunships used against the
Taliban, and to relay real-time video to ROVER portable Remote Video Terminals
(RVT) used by ground-based Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) – the term
used now for Forward Air Controllers - of the U.S. Army and special forces, enabling
the soldiers to see if there were insurgents behind a building or on the other
side of a hill.109 The
widespread use of Remote Video Terminals by JTAC represents a revolution in
“air-land integration (ALI )” and
in the use of close air support (CAS ).
This is so as the ROVER RVT allows the forward air controllers to see the downloaded
video images that the UAS and manned aircraft collect in real-time over a
combat zone.110 The Remote Video
Terminals thus enable Joint Terminal Attack Controllers to clear more accurate
close air support missions.
To perform ISTAR
operations these aircraft are equipped with a radar system and an electro-optic
system that includes an infrared sensor and laser target designator. These UAS can
be available 24 hours seven days a week, and Predator and Reaper operating in Afghanistan Nevada GCS ), and a Predator Primary Satellite Link (PPSL)
for “over-the-horizon communications.”111
Despite their
capabilities, in a conflict against a major power the low speed of the
propeller-driven Predator and Reaper would make them relatively easy targets for
enemy aircraft and an integrated air defense system. Thus, the Director of the
USAF Remotely Piloted Aircraft Task Force said that “[i]n tomorrow’s conflict,
or going even further to the right to an anti-access environment, the MQ-9…and
MQ-1…are not well suited for that.” In addition to the classic threats posed by
manned aircraft and ground-based air defenses, Colonel James Gear mentioned
cyber attacks against the existing remotely piloted aircraft. He suggested the
use against cyber warfare attacks of secure communications and encrypted
datalinks protected against hacking and jamming.112
In this regard, the deputy commander of Air Force Command, Lieutenant General
Michael Basla, said in relation to cyber security that “we can’t defend the
whole network just like we can’t defend all the air domain. Instead, we defend
the portion we need to operate in. We’ve done it…to assure we have
cybercapabilities to support Predator…and space launch operations.”113
To further the
concept of air-land integration (ALI ),
the Pentagon is supporting the Collaborative Unmanned Systems Technology
Demonstrator (CUSTD), which would allow remotely piloted aircraft to
communicate with each other to collaborate and coordinate their actions during
operations. This technology would also enable remotely piloted aircraft to
communicate and coordinate operations with unmanned ground vehicles (UGV).114
The
employment of UAS in Afghanistan Afghanistan CSAR ) operations in addition to air strike and intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance missions.116
The Predator is
a medium altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft system designed for intelligence,
surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations and
which is capable of conducting air strikes to fulfill the missions of close air
support and air interdiction.117 To
fulfill its missions the MQ-1B is equipped with the optronic Multi-spectral
Targeting System MTS-A system integrating “an infrared sensor, a
color/monochrome daylight TV camera, an image-intensified TV camera, a laser
designator and a laser illuminator.”118
It can also be fitted with a Lynx I Multi-mode Radar, a synthetic aperture radar/ground
moving target indication (SAR/GMTI )
radar system that has been described as having “all-weather” capability “that
displays photographic quality imagery of targets.”119 Moreover, in 2007 the USAF began the
development program to integrate into the Predator Northrop Grumman’s Airborne
Signals Intelligence Payload-1C (ASIP-1C), which will enable the unmanned
aircraft to carry out signals intelligence (SIGINT) electronic support measures
(ESM) operations.120 It
is likely that Predator has thus the capability of conducting cyber warfare
operations with the Suter computer program.
In terms of
commonality of equipment, the Predator’s ASIP-1C system would be a scaled
version of Northrop Grumman’s ASIP SIGINT system installed in the “U-2S
high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft” and the unmanned MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9
Reaper and the RQ-4 Global Hawk of the USAF, and in the SIGINT RC-12N-1
Guardrail aircraft of the U.S. Army.121
This equipment commonality contributes to the network centric integration of
manned and unmanned platforms, a key goal of the USAF. As reported by Fulghum,
Lt. General Deptula explained that “‘we are starting to integrate the pieces
such as RC-12W, Compass Call and other [electronic-operations platforms]. [All
must] be integrated with a plan for the effects we want to create. With cyber
[operations] being part of the planning process….’”122
The
propeller-driven Predator has a maximum endurance of 40 hours, and it can be
armed with two AGM -114 Hellfire
missiles.123 The Hellfire missiles
the Predator could fire include the AGM -114K/K2
Hellfire II and the new AGM -114P,
the High Altitude Hellfire, designed to be fired by unmanned aircraft systems.
The warheads of the AGM -114P
missile include HE (high explosive) blast/fragmentation to destroy “buildings
and infrastructure,” and a thermobaric warhead with enhanced heat and blast
pressure effects.124
The
Predator has also shown its versatility by demonstrating “[i]nteroperability
with E-8C Joint STARS, and communications/data relay to submerged submarine
(USS Chicago) 100 n miles (185 km; 115 miles) away.” In addition, two Predators
have also been tested conducting “surveillance and communications relay
missions in collaboration with the cutter Hickory Alaska
In
addition to the two Predators sent earlier for operations over Libya
MQ-8B Fire Scout: Produced by Northrop Grumman, the MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical
Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) system is a
remotely piloted helicopter that gives the U.S. Navy a ship borne unmanned
aerial platform for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance
(ISTAR), communications relay as part of the Navy’s network-centric warfare
Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC ),
the delivery of sonobuoys for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), over-the-horizon
(OTH) targeting for anti-surface warfare (ASUW), mine countermeasures (MCM ), air strikes, battle damage assessment in
real-time, and limited cargo transport operations. Other missions envisaged for
the MQ-8B are “to detect and engage swarming boats, [and] ensure landing areas
are clear for amphibious craft.”128 The Fire Scout was designed to operate from “air-capable
ships” including the new Littoral Combat Ship multi-mission modular frigate of
the U.S. Navy.129
In
terms of baseline capability the Fire Scout has an electro-optic system that
includes a forward-looking infrared (FLIR )
sensor and a laser range-finder and designator (LRFD) system. The baseline
MQ-8B also has a voice and data communication relay system that makes the Fire
Scout a “communications node” for over-the-horizon (OTH) communications that is
part of the Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) network. Additional payloads may include
a Lynx synthetic aperture radar and ground-moving target indicator (SAR/GMTI ) radar system, a signals intelligence (SIGINT)
and communications intelligence (COMINT) system, a satellite communications
(SATCOM) system, a magnetic anomaly detection (MAD )
system, the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), sonobuoys for submarine
detection, the COBRA airborne mine detection system, and countermeasures
against an attack.130
A Fire Scout
system could consist of up to 3 MQ-8B, and with its baseline payload it can
operate for more than 8 hours. With “a standard payload” a system of 2 Fire
Scouts can cover an area 200 km (110 nautical miles) away from the mother ship
for more than 6 hours of uninterrupted flight. With its maximum payload
capacity it can operate nonstop for over 5 hours.131 The Fire Scout remotely piloted
helicopter can also conduct autonomous take off and landing on any ship with a helicopter
platform and flight deck, and on any land-based landing zone.132
Some
of the weapon systems the Fire Scout can carry are two quadruple launcher pods
for air-to-air Stinger (ATAS) short-range missiles, unguided rockets, Hydra 70
mm rockets with laser seekers, and Viper Strike Stand-Off Precision Guided
Munition (SOPGM).133 It
has been suggested that the Fire Scout could also launch a light anti-submarine
warfare (ASW) torpedo designed for littoral waters, which would be the Mk 54 LHT
(Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo).134
However, the reported weight of the helicopter-launched version of the Mk 54
ASW torpedo is of 285.8 kg, which would exceed the MQ-8B payload capacity of
272 kg (600 lb) including the electro-optical system, although it seems the Fire
Scout can carry a maximum load of 363 kg (800 lb).135 Nonetheless, the ability of the Fire
Scout to support ASW operations - by launching sonobuoys and carrying a
magnetic anomaly detection system to locate submarines - would put a manned
helicopter and its crew out of danger from the threat posed by new short-range
submarine-launched anti-air missiles in the category of the German IDAS.136
During
tests conducted this year from the U.S. Navy guided-missile frigate USS
Halyburton (FFG 40), 2 Fire Scouts
carried by the ship successfully performed intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) missions for the 5th Fleet in the area of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of
Aden . Among the tasks performed by the Fire Scouts were supporting
U.S. special forces and operations against pirates or helping rescue Yemeni
fishermen stranded at sea, with the MQ-8B at times working together with USS Halyburton’s
embarked SH-60B Seahawk helicopter.137
It was during this deployment in the USS Halyburton that its embarked MQ-8B
were used in Libya Libya Afghanistan
Realizing the
advantages of the Fire Scout concept, the U.S. Navy currently wants a bigger
version named MQ-8C, based on the airframe of the Bell
Airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
EP-3E ARIES II: Based on the airframe of
the Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), the land-based EP-3E
ARIES II (Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronic System II) is the U.S.
Navy’s signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection version of the Orion.142 The EP-3E ARIES II has been
reclassified from SIGINT reconnaissance aircraft to Multi-Intelligence due to
the expansion of its capabilities, which include “near real-time tactical
SIGINT and full motion video intelligence.” According to the Navy’s description
of the aircraft, of which it has a fleet of 16, “the EP-3E exploits a wide
range of electronic emissions from deep within targeted territory. The crew
fuses the collected intelligence along with off-board data [from other sensor
platforms] and disseminates the collaborated information for direct threat
warning, indications and warnings, information dominance, battle space
situational awareness, suppression of enemy air defenses, destruction of enemy
air-defense, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare applications.”143
The
EP-3E ARIES II has supported NATO’s air campaign against Gaddafi’s forces in Libya U.S. U.S.
In
a recent announcement made by Admiral Jonathan Greenert, the Chief of Naval
Operations, the U.S. Navy will retire its fleet of EP-3E aircraft in 2019-2020,
to be replaced in SIGINT reconnaissance and in Multi-Intelligence operations by
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). A sum of $8 billion will in turn be invested
up to 2016 to develop at least three UAS, including $1.1 billion for the Fire
Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV)
system (presumably the bigger MQ-8C), $1.1
billion in the planned Medium-Range Maritime Unmanned Aerial System (MRMUAS), which
apparently is another VTUAV system, and $2.5 billion for a carrier-based ISR
and strike platform, the UCLASS, likely to be the operational follow-up to the
X-47B.145
Airborne
Electronic Attack (EA) and Counter information:
EC-130H Compass Call: Based on a modified
Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the EC-130H Compass Call has been designed to back
“tactical air, surface, and special operations forces” by conducting “[w]ide-area
coverage electronic attack [EA] and offensive counter information.”146 Compass Call uses electronic warfare
(EW) and command, control, communications countermeasures (C3CM) with the goal
of jamming with noise enemy command and control communications, disrupting the
adversary’s ability to command and coordinate its forces on the field.147 The EC-130H would carry out
electronic attacks against “a wide range of hostile offensive/defensive counter
air, close air support, air defence system, battlefield and naval voice/data
communications links, …radio frequency triggering signals for Improvised
Explosive Devices (IED) and low-frequency early warning and target acquisition
air defence radars.”148 The Compass Call aircraft do not operate as
isolated individual platforms but as “linked …local area networks.”149 The 14 aircraft of the fleet are to
be modified to the Block 35 upgrade by Fiscal Year 2011, including the addition
of “digital signal processing,” the expansion of the system’s “frequency
coverage,” fitting the Compass Call with the Tactical Radio Countermeasures
Systems (TRACS), and adding the ability to conduct electronic attack against
enemy early warning radars, target acquisition radars, and navigation systems.150 There are also plans to upgrade the
Compass Call fleet to the Block 40 baseline.151
The EC-130H
Compass Call, the EA-18G Growler, and the F-16CJ/DJ Block 50/52 are the three
key platforms in U.S. U.S.
Airborne
Information Warfare:
EC-130J Commando Solo III : The EC-130J Commando Solo III is based on Lockheed’s C-130 Hercules modified
to perform information warfare and psychological warfare for propaganda
purposes through “information operations, psychological operations and civil
affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands.” The
aircraft can also transmit “analog radio and analog color TV on all worldwide
standards” aimed either at military or civilian audiences.154
The Commando Solo III fleet, under
the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, consists of 3 EC-130J, and 4
EC-130J Super J, which supports special operations missions such as high
altitude parachute drops of special forces, described as “high altitude, low
opening [HALO] and high altitude, high opening missions.” Other missions
performed by the EC-130J Super J are the air drop of the “joint precision aerial
delivery system [JPADS], container delivery system [CDS] and psychological
operations leaflet drops.”155 The
EC-130J Super J could carry the “Multi-Mission C-130J Roll-On/Roll-Off Mission Suite” that includes the “Modular ‘Commando Solo’
(MCS ) transmitter system” and a
roll-on/roll-off signals intelligence (SIGINT) “capsule.” This mission
modularity enables the Super J to transport cargo while performing information
and psychological warfare operations.156
Commando
Solo III aircraft have been
deployed in Afghanistan Middle East in 2003 in support
of Operation Iraqi Freedom and later in the years 2005, 2007 and 2009.157
The Commando Solo III has
taken part also in Libya
Future
capabilities that are planned are “a long-range broadcast system that would be
capable of providing ‘commercial quality’ TV and radio transmission from
‘multiple’ platforms…to ‘targets’ at ranges of up to 1,287 km within ‘denied
areas.’” Currently Commando Solo III
has a “line-of-sight transmission range” of 174 km. According to Jane’s, in the
future information and psychological warfare operations should cover “Internet
broadcasting, direct satellite broadcasts, ‘scatterable media’ and UAV (winged
and long-endurance airship formats) and cellular/wireless telephone delivery.”160
Naval
C4I-N:
USS Mount
Whitney:
The LCC 20 Mount Whitney of
the Blue Ridge class is one of two
U.S. Navy’s “amphibious warfare command ships” (LCC) used as the flagship and nodal
command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) ship of the
U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.161
USS Mount Whitney was one of 11 U.S.
For its C4I role
Mount Whitney is equipped with the
Amphibious Command Information System (ACIS), the Naval Intelligence Processing
System (NIPS), the Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) datalink communications
system, the Ship Signals Exploitation Space (SSES), Flag Plot [displaying the
location of ships or fleets over a “main tactical display”], Landing Force
Operations Center (LFOC), Joint Intelligence Center (JIC), Supporting Arms
Coordination Center (SACC), Helicopter Logistics Support Group (HLSG), Tactical
Air Control Center (TACC), Helicopter Direction Center (HDC), and Helicopter
Coordination Section (HCS).”163 Even
though the Blue
Ridge class has no helicopter hangar, Mount Whitney and sister
ship Blue Ridge
(which is the flagship of the 7th Fleet in the Pacific
Ocean , stationed in Yokosuka ,
Japan
The Mount Whitney
demonstrated the value of a specialized command ship during the Libya Blue Ridge class ships, which are over 40 years old,
should be replaced by a new class of joint command ships. The U.S. Navy had
plans to do so with the proposed Joint Command and Control (JCC ) ships. However, the Navy opted instead for the
idea of deploying a number of multi-mission platforms, which could include
aircraft carriers, guided-missile cruisers and amphibious warfare ships fitted
with a command, control, communications and computers (C4) capability for joint
operations.167 Yet the latest
experience in Libya U.S.
Airborne
Electronic Attack and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses:
EA-18G Growler: The Boeing EA-18G Growler
is a modern, “state-of-the-art” airborne electronic attack (AEA) and
suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft for the U.S. Navy that is based
on the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet multirole fighter.168 The Growler has been intended to
replace the E-A6B Prowler in the electronic warfare (EW) role, and it is thus
the first new airborne platform of its kind that has been designed and produced
in over 35 years. The EA-18G, which achieved initial operational capability in
2009, combines the flight and multirole combat capabilities of the F/A-18E/F
with its dedicated electronic attack (EA) abilities.169
One
of the Growler’s electronic warfare capabilities is full electromagnetic spectrum
surveillance and electronic attack, being able to gather radar emissions through
the AN/ALQ-218(V)2 Tactical Jamming Receiver (TJR) system to jam the
adversary’s air defense radars. In this regard, the Growler’s AN/ALQ-99
Tactical Jamming System is credited with being “effective against any
radar-guided surface-to-air threat.”170
The EA-18G is equipped with the AN/APG-79 AESA radar that has the added
capabilities of jamming radars and of passively detecting radar emissions.171 In addition, the Growler is credited
with the capability of being able to detect and locate enemy radars more
precisely and faster than other systems when its AN/APG-79 AESA radar operates
in a passive mode together with the AN/ALQ-218(V) receiver system. This allows
Growler to concentrate its jamming energy more accurately against the located
enemy radar emitter.172
Another key
capability of the EA-18G is its ability to jam enemy communications. For this
reason the Growler was known first as the F/A-18 C2W,173 for Command and Control Warfare. For
this purpose the EA-18G carries the AN/ALQ-227 Communications Countermeasures
System (CCS ) “communications
jammer,” produced by Raytheon and reportedly developed from command, control,
communications countermeasures (C3CM) systems carried by the EC-130H Compass
Call.174 The Growler can also
“maintain radio communications in a heavy jamming environment” thanks to the
Interference Cancellation System (INCANS) equipping the aircraft, which also
has satellite communications.175
The
EA-18G can perform the mission of suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD)
through “reactive and pre-emptive jamming” and the use of 2 anti-radiation AGM -88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile)
missiles targeting enemy electromagnetic emitters.176
Other missions
performed by the Growler are: 1) stand-off jamming, which is jamming enemy
radar at a safe distance; 2) escort jamming, when the Growlers accompany a
group of strike aircraft for the duration of the bombing mission; 3) time-critical
strike, in which the EA-18G can participate in a bombing mission with 2 AGM -154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon) guided glider
bombs in addition to carrying 2 HARM missiles, making use of the AN/ASQ-228 Advanced
Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod and supplying groups of strike
aircraft with targeting information; and 4) full electromagnetic spectrum
surveillance, in which the Growler uses its onboard sensors such as the Tactical
Jamming Receiver and the AN/APG-79 AESA radar together with the AN/ASD -12V SHAred Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) carried
in the aircraft’s center line to collect “radar, electro-optical and infra-red
imagery,” comparing it to the known emplacements of enemy radars and supplying air
strike groups with the collected data.177
For self-defense in all of these missions as well as in SEAD operations the EA-18G
is armed also with 2 AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missiles.178 There are plans to install in the
Growler the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), which has been “designed to attack
enemy electronics with jamming, pulses of high-powered microwaves and packets
of algorithms to infiltrate enemy networks.”179
Another type of
mission is described as “Non-Traditional Electronic Attack,” in which because
of the Growler’s “enhanced situational awareness and uninterrupted
communications” it would be capable of achieving greater “integration with
ground operations than has been previously achievable.”180 The “non-traditional” electronic
warfare operations may include the EA-18G’s probable ability, thanks to its
Communications Countermeasures System, to jam the radio signals used by
insurgents to trigger improvised explosive devices (IED). In such case it would
share this capability with the EC-130H Compass Call.
It is envisaged
that the Growler would undertake electronic attacks and suppression of enemy
air defenses at the beginning of an air offensive, to then carry out precision
air strikes after air superiority has been achieved and the enemy’s air
defenses have been neutralized.181 To perform
its missions the EA-18G has 9 hard points to carry weapons, such as the HARM
and AMRAAM missiles, JSOW bombs and the AGM -158A
Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), and sensor payloads.182
The U.S. Navy
received by May 2011 48 EA-18G Growlers, with a goal of 114 aircraft in total that
will be met when a new order for 58 EA-18G is fulfilled by the end of 2015.183 The aircraft will operate from
aircraft carriers and land bases, and there is a requirement for 88 EA-18G to
be integrated in 10 aircraft carrier Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQ).184
The Growler has taken part in the Libyan air campaign immediately after
conducting operations in Iraq
F-16C/D Block 50D/52D: The Lockheed Martin F-16C/D
Block 50D/52D is the U.S. Air Force version of the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon developed
for the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). An unofficial designation of
the Block 50D/52D version is the F-16CJ/DJ.186
After undergoing the Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP)
modernization program, implemented by the USAF for 650 aircraft of the F-16C/D
Block 40/42 and Block 50/52 versions, the SEAD F-16C/D (F-16CJ/DJ) Block
50D/52D became known F-16CM/DM Block 50D/52D.187
Jane’s estimated that by 2006 the number of F-16CJ (F-16CM after being
modernized under CCIP) acquired by the U.S. Air Force was of 222.188 At the same time, by 2006 the number
of available AN/ASQ-213 High-speed anti-radiation missile Targeting System
(HTS) pods – used to provide targeting information for the AGM -88 HARM anti-radiation missile – was of 200.189 In total, of about 240 F-16CM/DM
Block 50/52 whose fire-control radar would be upgraded to the AN/APG-68(V)10
standard under the M5+ stage of the CCIP modernization program,190 some 222 would be F-16CM/DM Block
50D/52D designed for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), of which 200
aircraft would carry the HTS targeting pod for the HARM missile.
The
first F-16C Block 50/52 was delivered for “operational testing” in 1991, and
deliveries of the suppression of enemy air defenses version, the Block 50D/52D,
began in 1993.191 The
modernization to the Block 50/52 family, powered by Improved Performance
Engines (IPE), to the F-16CM/DM standard gave the former F-16CJ/DJ dedicated to
the SEAD mission a multirole fighter capability through phased equipment and
computer software improvements.192 These
include the installation of a Modular Mission Computer, a “glass cockpit” with
color Multi-function Displays, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution
System (JTIDS) and Link 16 secure datalink communications, and the Joint Helmet
Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) that provides the pilot with a helmet-mounted
sight to direct a weapon to a target with the movement of the head.193 Weapon systems that can be fired by
the F-16CM/DM Block 50D/52D after undergoing CCIP modernization include the AIM -9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile,
the AGM -158A Joint Air-to-Surface
Standoff Missile (JASSM), and the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM).194
Thanks to the CCIP modernization, the Block 50D/52D aircraft have
received through the M4.2+ upgrade stage improvements in both software and
avionics hardware that allows the F-16CM/DM to use simultaneously the HTS
targeting pod on the aircraft’s port side and the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting
pod on the starboard side. Sniper is an electro-optical targeting system that
allows the Block 50D/52D Fighting Falcons to launch laser-guided bombs such as
the GBU-12 Paveway II, making them multirole fighters.195 In addition, the U.S. Air Force has
funded the modification of the AN/ASQ-213 HTS targeting system for the HARM
missile into the improved HTS R7 Smart Targeting and Identification via
Networked Geolocation (STING) system. The HTS R7 targeting system includes
Global Positioning System (GPS )
satellite navigation for pinpoint accuracy when targeting enemy radars, and “a
precision emitter identification capability (including the potential to update
real-time…electronic orders-of-battle).”196
The HTS R7 targeting pod can pass targeting information to the HARM missile and
to the AGM -154 JSOW (Joint
Standoff Weapon).197 It
should be added that the F-16CM/DM Block 50D/52D has the ability to perform destruction
of enemy air defenses (DEAD) over the previous suppression of enemy air defenses
(SEAD) due to the greater targeting accuracy and precision thanks to the mating
of the new HTS R7 targeting system with the “M4.2+ operational flight programme
software.”198
The AN/APG-68(V)10 version of the
AN/APG-68(V) fire-control radar has, like the AN/APG-68(V)9 version used in
exported F-16C/D Block50+/52+, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode, greater detection
range, and the ability to engage at the same time four aerial targets.199 It is recommended that the F-16CM/DM
Block 50/52 – including the Block 50D/52D – should be upgraded with a modern
AESA radar like the AN/APG-80, in place of the legacy AN/APG-68(V) radar. The
AN/APG-80 AESA radar equips the latest version of the Fighting Falcon, the
F-16E/F (previously known as the F-16C/D Block 60) that has been sold to the United Arab Emirates GMTI (ground
moving target indicator) capability,201
which could be also useful when engaging mobile SAM
systems.
F-16CM
Block 50D fighters belonging to the USAF 480th Fighter Squadron – the
“Warhawks” - stationed in Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany Libya
Recommendations:
- Fund modernization of
the legacy planes covered in this study and maintain them in operation. These aircraft are fundamental
elements of the networked force of the 21st century necessary to prevail
in the future air-land and air-sea battle through their ISR, electronic
warfare, airborne cyber attack, airborne information attack, and
communications relay capabilities. In addition, the new EA-18G Growler
with its airborne electronic attack (ABE) capability is essential to
engage the assets of an enemy’s electronic order of battle. All these
aircraft should be kept in service until new generation platforms such as
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can reliably replace them after a
transition period operating alongside the manned aircraft.
- Continue funding and acquisition
of ISR unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Unmanned
aircraft systems are an essential element of 21st century air power, one
in which currently the
- Spare from budgetary
cuts our C4ISR platforms. Our military’s command,
control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance,
reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities must be spared the budgetary axe from
the agreed cuts of $465 billion in defense spending planned for the next
ten years, and from the additional $585 billion in defense spending cuts
due to sequestration.203
The platforms containing systems with these capabilities, such as those
included in this study, constitute the eyes, brains, and nervous system of
our military forces and military leadership. If we want to avoid another
surprise attack like the one on Pearl Harbor 70 years ago, this time
involving missiles, we need to preserve the platforms and systems that
allow our armed forces to remain alert and thus spare our country from a
military catastrophe.
Conclusion:
The ISR, electronic warfare, cyber warfare and information warfare
platforms and systems included in this study are essential to our armed forces’
ability to fight and win in the conflicts of the new millennium, including
military operations such as the one in Libya United States America
1 Lauren Gelfand, “Libya March 23, 2011 , p. 4.
2 Jim Garamone, “Coalition Launches ‘Operation Odyssey Dawn,’” U.S. Department of Defense, March 19, 2011 , at http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63225
(June 13, 2011); Lauren Gelfand, “End to Libya conflict tops agenda at global
talks,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, April
20, 2011, p. 6; BBC News, “Libya:
UK Apache helicopters used in Nato attacks,” June 4, 2011, at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13651736
(June 4, 2011).
3 BBC News, “Libya June 12, 2011 );
Brooks Tigner and Luca Peruzzi, “NATO takes control of Libyan allied
operations,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, April 6, 2011 , p. 5.
4 AFP , “US flies a
quarter of all NATO sorties in Libya August 22, 2011 ,
at http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iwPIjVTq38bU-qQs4UEnV4RsWJfw?docId=CNG.f83ec61b463c427ae51d6ee4c5c2e5c7.751
(September 5, 2011 ).
5 Networks refer to Network Centric Warfare.
6 David A. Fulghum, “ISR, Cyber, EW Hook Up,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, August 29/September 5, 2011 , p. 56; David A.
Fulghum, “UAS Combat,” Aviation Week
& Space Technology, August 29/September 5, 2011, p. 73.
7 Air Vice-Marshal Tony Mason, The
Aerospace Revolution. Role Revision & Technology: An Overview,
Brassey’s Air Power: Aircraft, Weapons Systems and Technology Series (London:
Brassey’s, 1998), p. 1.
8 David A. Fulghum, “‘Spectral High Ground,’” Aviation Week & Space Technology, August 29/September 5, 2011 , pp. 70-71.
9 David A. Fulghum and Bill Sweetman, “Future ISR,” Aviation Week & Space Technology,
August 29/September 5, 2011 ,
pp. 45-46.
10 David A. Fulghum, “Technology Will Be Key to Iraq Buildup,” Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 14, 2007 , at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/aw011507p2.xml
(November 11, 2011 ).
11 Jonathan Greenert, “Navy, 2025: Forward Warfighters,” Proceedings, December 2011, p. 23.
12 Fulghum, “‘Spectral High Ground,’” p. 71; idem, “ISR, Cyber, EW
Hook Up,” p. 57.
13 Fulghum, “‘Spectral High Ground,’” p. 71.
14 Fulghum, “Technology Will Be Key to Iraq Buildup;” idem, “ISR,
Cyber, EW Hook Up,” p. 56; Alon Ben-David, “Fast Response,” Aviation Week & Space Technology,
August 29/September 5, 2011, p. 63.
15 Fulghum, “‘Spectral High Ground,’” p. 71.
16 David A. Fulghum, “F-35 To Become Electronic Attack Aircraft,” November 30, 2008 , at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/aw120108p2.xml
(November 8, 2011 );
idem, “‘Spectral High Ground,’” p. 70.
17 Fulghum, “UAS Combat,” p. 73
18 The History Channel, Dogfights of the Future, A&E Television Networks AAE-131240, 2007, DVD .
19 Fulghum, “ISR, Cyber, EW Hook Up,” pp. 56-57.
20 Ben-David, “Fast Response,” p. 63.
21 David A. Fulghum, “Why Syria’s Air Defenses Failed to Detect
Israelis,” Ares: A Defense Technology
Blog, in Aviation Week.com, October 3, 2007 , at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogscript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A2710d024-5eda-416c-b117-ae6d649146cd
(November 11, 2011).
22 Fulghum, “UAS Combat,” p. 73.
23 David A. Fulghum, Michael A. Dornheim, and William B. Scott,
“Pictures Give Insight Into Stealth Projects,” Aviation Week and Space Technology, February 12, 2005 , at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/02145p04.xml&headline=Pictures%20Give%20Insights%20Into%20Stealth%20Projects
(November 11, 2011 );
Fulghum, “Technology Will Be Key to Iraq Buildup.”
24 Fulghum, Dornheim, and Scott, “Pictures Give Insight Into Stealth
Projects.”
25 Fulghum, Dornheim, and Scott, “Pictures Give Insight Into Stealth
Projects;” Fulghum, “Why Syria’s Air Defenses Failed to Detect Israelis.”
26 Bill Gertz, “Pentagon battle concept has Cold War posture on China November 9, 2011 , at http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/9/pentagon-battle-concept-signals-cold-war-posture-o/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS
(November 11, 2011 );
Bill Gertz, “Inside the Ring: Air Sea Battle Fight,” The Washington Times, October 13, 2011 , p. A10; Bill Sweetman, “Big Wing,” Aviation Week & Space Technology,
August 29/September 5, 2011, pp. 46-47; Duncan Lennox, ed., Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems, No. 48
(Coulsdon, U.K.: Jane’s Information Group, 2008), pp. 25-26.
27 Sweetman, “Big Wing,” pp. 46-48; Gertz, “Pentagon battle concept
has Cold War posture on China
28 Greenert, “Navy, 2025: Forward Warfighters,” p. 23.
29 The Information Warfare Site, “Information Dominance vs.
Information Superiority,” Issue Paper, April 1, 1997 , at http://www.iwar.org.uk/iwar/resources/info-dominance/issue-paper.htm
(July 27, 2011 ).
30 Robert F. Dorr, “U.S. Air Force Improving AWACS Capabilities,” Defense Media Network, January 27, 2011 , at http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/u-s-air-force-improving-awacs-capabilities/
(June 15, 2011 );
International Institute of Strategic Studies, Military Balance 2010 (Abingdon ,
U.K.
31 Martin Streetly, ed., Jane’s
Electronic Mission Aircraft, No. 21 (Coulsdon ,
U.K.
32 NATO AEW&C Programme Management Agency (NAPMA), “AWACS: NATO’s
‘Eye In The Sky,’” at http://www.napma.nato.int/ (June 15, 2011 ).
33 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: E-3 Sentry (AWACS),” November 20, 2009 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=98
(June 18, 2011 ).
34 Brooks Tigner, “NATO prepares for Libya March 16, 2011 , p. 4.
35 Ibid. See also BBC News, “Libya March 29, 2011 ,
at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12806112 (June 10, 2011 ).
36 Dorr, “U.S. Air Force Improving AWACS Capabilities;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, pp.
14, 16, 20; Patty Welsh, “Major AWACS upgrade set to begin,” Hanscom Air Force Base, November 18,
2010, at http://www.hanscom.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123231536 (June 15, 2011).
37 Dorr, “U.S. Air Force Improving AWACS Capabilities;” Welsh, “Major
AWACS upgrade set to begin.”
38 Jamie Hunter, ed., Jane’s
Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, 14th ed. (Coulsdon , U.K.
39 The maiden flight of the first prototype of the Boeing 707 took
place in the summer of 1954. See Hunter, Jane’s
Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 207.
40 Jon Lake Westport , Conn. June 18, 2011 ).
On the Dark Star HALE UAV see Norman Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation (Annapolis , Md.
41 Federation of American Scientists, “E-3 Sentry (AWACS).” On the
E-2D see Northrop Grumman, “E-2D Advanced Hawkeye,” at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/e2dhawkeye/index.html
(June 25, 2011 ).
42 Sweetman, “Big Wing,” pp. 46, 48.
43 Federation of American Scientists, “E-3 Sentry (AWACS).”
44 Laura L. Myers and Ben Iannotta, “The battle for JSTARS,” C4ISR Journal, June 1, 2011 , at http://www.c4isrjournal.com/story.php?F=6367822
(June 16, 2011 ).
45 Federation of American Scientists, “E-3 Sentry (AWACS).”
46 David A. Fulghum and Bill Sweetman, “In and Out of Sight,” Aviation Week & Space Technology,
August 29/September 5, 2011 ,
p. 49.
47 Tim Ripley, Air War Afghanistan Barnsley ,
U.K. April 2, 2010 , at http://www.defencetalk.com/last-flight-of-the-nimrod-mr2-25434/
(August 13, 2011 ).
48 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: E-8C Joint Stars,” February 23, 2011 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=100
(June 16, 2011 ).
49 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: E-8C Joint Stars;” Shelby G. Spires,
“116th deployed indefinitely to support operations in Libya April 22, 2011 , at http://www.macon.com/2011/04/22/1533834/116th-acw-deployed-indefinitely.html
(June 16, 2011 ).
50 U.S.
51 U.S.
52 Paul Jackson, ed., Jane’s All
the World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, 97th ed. (Coulsdon , U.K.
53 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 838; Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p. 666.
54 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 838.
55 Myers and Iannotta, “The battle for JSTARS;” Boeing, “P-8 Airborne
Ground Surveillance,” at http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/p8ags/index.html
(July 3, 2011 ).
56 Boeing, “P-8 Airborne Ground Surveillance,” Backgrounder, at http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/p8ags/bkgd_%20p8ags_04-11.pdf
(July 3, 2011 );
Martin Streetly, ed., Jane’s Radar and
Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, 20th ed. (Coulsdon , U.K. January 1, 2009 ,
at http://www.c4isrjournal.com/story.php?F=3816224 (July 3, 2011); Jane’s
Information Group, “AN/APS -149
(United States), Airborne surveillance, maritime patrol and navigation radars,”
Jane’s Radar and Electronic Warfare
Systems, April 28, 2010, at http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Radar-and-Electronic-Warfare-Systems/AN-APS -149-United-States.html (July 3, 2011).
57 Myers and Iannotta, “The battle for JSTARS;” Keith Button, “Revealing
radar.”
58 Boeing, “P-8 Airborne Ground Surveillance;” Myers and Iannotta,
“The battle for JSTARS;” Keith Button, “Revealing radar.”
59 Myers and Iannotta, “The battle for JSTARS.”
60 Streetly, Jane’s Radar and
Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, p. 218; idem, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p. 197.
61 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 838.
62 Streetly, Jane’s Radar and
Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, p. 218; Keith Button, “Revealing
radar;” Jane’s, “AN/APS -149 (United States
63 Myers and Iannotta, “The battle for JSTARS;” U.S. Air Force, “Fact
Sheet: E-8C Joint Stars.”
64 Streetly, Jane’s Radar and
Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, p. 218; idem, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p. 666.
65 Sweetman, “Big Wing,” p. 46.
66 Research School on Multi Modal Sensor Systems for Environmental
Exploration and International Postgraduate Programme Multi Sensorics (ZESS),
“2D/3D Remote Sensing with mono and bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems
(SAR),” University of Siegen, at http://www.zess.uni-siegen.de/ipp_home/moses/fields-of-research/2d-3d-remote-sensing/
(June 18, 2011).
67 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 838.
68 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 44; Northrop Grumman, “E-2D Advanced Hawkeye,” at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/e2dhawkeye/index.html
(July 9, 2011 ).
69 Northrop Grumman, “E-2D Advanced Hawkeye;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
44; Department of the Navy, FORCEnet: A
Functional Concept for the 21st Century, p. 4, at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/forcenet/forcenet21.pdf
(July 10, 2011).
70 Northrop Grumman, “E-2D Advanced Hawkeye;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
44.
71 Northrop Grumman, “E-2D Advanced Hawkeye;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
44.
72 Lennox , Jane’s Strategic Weapon Systems, p. 359.
73 Federation of American Scientists, “E-3 Sentry (AWACS).”
74 BBC News, “Libya
75 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, pp. 312, 314-15.
76 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: RC-135V/W Rivet Joint,” March 31, 2009 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=121
(July 10, 2011 ).
77 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 314; Andrew Chuter, “UK July 8, 2011 , at http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=7042952&c=AME &s=AIR
(July 11, 2011 ).
78 U.S. UK
79 Ripley, Air War Afghanistan
80 Defense Tech, “Commandos to Rivet Joints May be Hunting Gadhafi,” Military.com, August 25, 2011 , at http://defensetech.org/2011/08/25/commandos-to-rivet-joints-may-be-hunting-gadhafi/
(September 5, 2011 ).
81 Roxana Tiron, “Northrop’s $12.4 Billion Global Hawk Still Vital,
Pentagon Says,” Bloomberg, June 15, 2011 , at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-15/northrop-s-12-4-billion-drone-still-vital-pentagon.html
(July 10, 2011 ).
82 Fulghum, Dornheim, and Scott, “Pictures Give Insight Into Stealth
Projects.”
83 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: RC-135U Combat Sent,” September 28, 2007 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=191
(July 11, 2011 );
Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission
Aircraft, p. 312.
84 U.S.
85 Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft
Upgrades 2006-2007, pp. 162, 160.
86 BBC News, “Libya
87 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: RQ-4 Global Hawk,” November 19, 2009 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=13225
(July 15, 2011 ).
88 Steven J. Zaloga, Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles: Robotic Air Warfare 1917-2007, New Vanguard No. 144 (Oxford , U.K.
89 Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air
Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 207.
90 Ibid.; Mark Daly, Martin
Streetly, and Kenneth Munson, eds., Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, No. 29 (Coulsdon , U.K.
91 U.S.
92 Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air
Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 207.
93 Tiron, “Northrop’s $12.4 Billion Global Hawk Still Vital, Pentagon
Says;” Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets,
pp. 305-6; Amy Butler, “Testy Trials: Global Hawk earns poor test marks, though
international interest continues,” Aviation
Week & Space Technology, June 13, 2011, p. 35; Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
193.
94 Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air
Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 207; Butler
95 U.S. Air Force, “Fact Sheet: RQ-4 Global Hawk;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
193-97.
96 Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air
Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 208; Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
196-97; Tiron, “Northrop’s $12.4 Billion Global Hawk Still Vital, Pentagon
Says.”
97 U.S.
98 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 197; Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 306; Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air Systems: A New Kind of
Carrier Aviation, p. 208.
99 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 307; Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air Systems: A New Kind of
Carrier Aviation, p. 207; Streetly, Jane’s
Electronic Mission Aircraft, pp. 193, 197.
100 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 307; Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air Systems: A New Kind of
Carrier Aviation, p. 207; Streetly, Jane’s
Electronic Mission Aircraft, p. 197.
101 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 307; Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air Systems: A New Kind of
Carrier Aviation, p. 207.
102
Defense Tech, “Global Hawk Drone and E-8 JSTARS May Be Helping the Libya March 22, 2011 , at http://defensetech.org/2011/03/22/e-8-jstars-and-global-hawk-drone-may-be-helping-the-libya-fight/
(June 16, 2011 ); AFP , “US flies a quarter of all NATO sorties in Libya BBC News, “Libya
103 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 194.
104 Butler
105 BBC News, “Military
fact files: Drones,” July
22, 2010 , at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10713898 (April 22, 2011 ).
106 Associated Press, “Libya April 21, 2011 ,
at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/21/us-obama-predator-drones-libya (June 10, 2011 ).
107 BBC News, “US drone
attack kills 21 ‘militants’ in Pakistan August 10, 2011 ,
at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14471791 (August 11, 2011 ); Reuters, “US drone
strike kills 21suspected militants inn Pakistan August 12, 2011 ).
108 The Predator that assisted in the air strike was identified in the
article as a MQ-9, which is in fact the designation of the more capable Reaper
UAV. The designation of the Predator is MQ-1B. See Tim Ripley, “USAF Predators
direct Tornado strikes,” Jane’s Defence
Weekly, May 18, 2011 ,
p. 6. See also BBC News, “Libya April 22, 2011 , at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13166441
(August 12, 2011 ).
109 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 264; Ripley, Air War Afghanistan III / OSRVT,” at http://defense-update.com/products/r/rover.htm
(August 13, 2011 ).
110 Ripley, Air War Afghanistan
111 BBC News, “Military
fact files: Drones;” U.S. Air Force, “MQ-1B Predator,” July 20, 2010 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=122
(August 8, 2011 );
U.S. Air Force, “MQ-9 Reaper,” August
18, 2010 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=6405
(August 8, 2011 ).
112 Alysha Sideman, “Raise the bar for new Reaper, colonel says,” Defense Systems, February 3, 2011 , at http://defensesystems.com/articles/2011/02/03/air-force-gear-uav-reaper-mq-9-cyber-warfare.aspx
(August 25, 2011 ).
113 David A. Fulghum, “Digital Deluge,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, May 23, 2011, p. 44.
114 Clay Dillow, “The DoD Wants All Its Robots To Collaborate on the
Battlefield Without Human Involvement,” Popular
Science, February 23,
2011 , at http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-02/dod-wants-warfighting-robots-can-collaborate-battlefield
(August 25, 2011 ).
115 Ripley, Air War Afghanistan
116 John A. Tirpak, “The RPA Boom,” airforce-magazine.com,
August 2010, at http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/August%202010/0810RPA.aspx
(August 24, 2011 ).
117 General Atomics Aeronautical, “MQ-1 Predator/Predator,” at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/pdf/MQ-1_Predator.pdf
(August 8, 2011 );
U.S. Air Force, “MQ-1B Predator.”
118 U.S.
119 General Atomics Aeronautical, “Predator UAS,” at http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator.php
(August 8, 2011 );
Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission
Aircraft, p. 128.
120 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 263; Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
130.
121 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 130. On the RC-12N-1 Guardrail see Stephen Trimble,
“US Army makes unexpected Guardrail update,” Flightglobal, September
10, 2007 , at http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/10/216672/us-army-makes-unexpected-guardrail-update.html
(August 15, 2011 ).
122 Fulghum, “ISR, Cyber, EW Hook Up,” p. 56.
123 General Atomics Aeronautical, “MQ-1 Predator/Predator;” U.S.
124 BBC News, “Military
fact files: Drones;” Robert Hewson, ed., Jane’s
Air-Launched Weapons, No. 56 (Coulsdon ,
U.K.
125 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 264.
126 General Atomics Aeronautical, “Air Force accepts delivery of last
Predator,” March 7, 2011 ,
at http://www.ga-asi.com/news_events/index.php?read=1&id=341&date=2011
(August 8, 2011 ).
127 Tirpak, “The RPA Boom;” Military Technology, The World Defence Almanac 2011 (Bonn , Germany
128 Courtney Kube and Jim Miklaszewski, “NBC: US sends more Predator
drones to Libya August 16, 2011 , at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44166967/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/nbc-us-sends-more-predator-drones-libya/#
(August 29, 2011 );
AFP , “US flies a quarter of all
NATO sorties in Libya Libya
128 Northrop Grumman, “MQ-8B Fire Scout,” at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/mq8bfirescout_navy/index.html
(September 1, 2011); Northrop Grumman, “Fire Scout Brochure: MQ-8B Fire Scout,”
at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/mq8bfirescout_navy/assets/firescout-new-brochure.pdf
(September 1, 2011); Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 300; Norman Polmar,
The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships
and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 18th ed. (Annapolis , Md.
129 Northrop Grumman, “MQ-8B Fire Scout;” Northrop Grumman, “Northrop
Grumman Fire Scout Completes First Unmanned Test Flights on Littoral Combat
Ship,” February 24, 2011, at http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=214689
(September 1, 2011); Naval Air Systems Command, “MQ-8B Fire Scout,” at http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.display&key=8250AFBA-DF2B-4999-9EF3-0B0E46144D03
(September 2, 2011); Friedman, Unmanned
Combat Air Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 212; Defense Update,
“LCS Entering Deep Water,” August 8, 2008, at http://defense-update.com/features/2008/august08/lcs.html#more
(September 2, 2011).
130 Northrop Grumman, “MQ-8B Fire Scout;” Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets,
p. 300; Northrop Grumman, “Fire Scout Brochure: MQ-8B Fire Scout;” Northrop
Grumman, “Fire Scout Fact Sheet: MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Aircraft
System,” at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/mq8bfirescout_navy/assets/fs-fact-sheet.pdf
(September 1, 2011); Northrop Grumman, “COBRA airborne mine detection system
ready for low rate initial production,” Shephard
Group, April 28, 2009, at http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/uvonline/cobra-airborne-mine-detection-system-ready-for-low-rate-initial-production/2536/
(September 2, 2011).
131 Northrop Grumman, “Fire Scout Data Sheet: MQ-8B Fire Scout,” at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/mq8bfirescout_navy/assets/fsn_ds.pdf
(September 1, 2011 );
United States Navy, “RQ-8A and MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV),”
Navy.mil, February 18, 2009 , at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=2150&ct=1
(September 2, 2011 );
Greenert, “Navy, 2025: Forward Warfighters,” p. 22.
132 Northrop Grumman, “MQ-8B Fire Scout;” idem, “Fire Scout Fact Sheet:
MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System.”
133 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 300; Northrop Grumman, “Fire Scout
Cutaway Drawing: Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout,” at http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/mq8bfirescout_navy/assets/MQ-8B_FireScout_Cutaway_WEB .pdf (September 4, 2011 ); Hewson, Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons, pp. 639-42, 195-96.
134 Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air
Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 212.
135 Clifford Funnell, ed., Jane’s
Underwater Warfare Systems 2008-2009, 20th ed. (Coulsdon , U.K. United States
136 Jane’s Information Group, “IDAS (Germany June 13, 2011 , at http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Naval-Weapon-Systems/IDAS-Germany.html
(August 8, 2011 );
Lok, “Updated with New Photos: Submerged IDAS Missile Firing.”
137 Northrop Grumman, “Photo Release – Northrop Grumman Fire Scout
Completes Successful At-Sea Deployment,” August 17, 2011 , at http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=229732
(September 1, 2011 );
Brooks Tigner and Sam LaGrone, “NATO: Fire Scout lost over Libya June 29, 2011 , p. 17.
138 Sam LaGrone, “UAV shot down by Ghadaffi forces, says NAVAIR,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, August 24, 2011 , p. 8;
Tigner and LaGrone, “NATO: Fire Scout lost over Libya
139 Daly, Streetly, and Munson, Jane’s
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets, p. 301.
140 Friedman, Unmanned Combat Air
Systems: A New Kind of Carrier Aviation, p. 212; Defense Industry Daily,
“MQ-8 Fire Scout VTUAV Program: By Land or By Sea,” August 29, 2011 , at http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-fire-scout-vtuav-program-by-land-and-by-sea-updated-01316/#program
(September 2, 2011 ).
141 Graham Warwick, “U.S. Navy Wants Larger Fire Scout Airframe,” Aviation Week.com, February 17, 2011 , at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2011/02/17/02.xml&headline=U.S.%20Navy%20Wants%20Larger%20Fire%20Scout%20Airframe
(September 5, 2011 ).
142 United States Navy, “EP-3E (ARIES II) signals intelligence
reconnaissance aircraft,” Navy.mil, February 17, 2009 , at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1000&ct=1
(September 5, 2011 ).
143 U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command, “EP-3E Aries II,” at http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.displayPlatform&key=5B7DC7D0-C4DB-45E3-92EA-662605B57409
(September 5, 2011 ).
144 David A. Fulghum, “Libyan Leaders, Soldiers Face Cyber and
Information Attacks,” Ares: A Defense
Technology Blog, in Aviation Week.com,
March 25, 2011, at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3Ac3f95ee8-3fce-41ee-aedc-b69053fbbd1a
(September 5, 2011).
145 Stephen Trimble, “US Navy to replace EP-3s with unmanned aircraft,”
Flight International, in Flightglobal, August 11, 2011 , at http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/08/11/360617/us-navy-to-replace-ep-3s-with-unmanned-aircraft.html
(September 5, 2011 );
Warwick, “U.S. Navy Wants Larger Fire Scout Airframe.”
146 U.S. Air Force, “EC-130H Compass Call,” AF.mil, November
5, 2010 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=190
(June 26, 2011 );
Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission
Aircraft, p. 258.
147 Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft
Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 467; U.S. Air Force, “EC-130H Compass Call.”
148 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 258.
149 Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft
Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 467.
150 U.S. Air Force, “EC-130H Compass Call;” Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p.
467.
151 Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft
Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 467.
152 U.S. Air Force, “EC-130H Compass Call;” Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p.
489.
153 David Cenciotti, “Why NATO, French and US AWACS have been constantly
monitoring the Libyan airspace well before the No-Fly Zone was voted,” David Cenciotti’s Weblog, March 17,
2011, at http://cencio4.wordpress.com/tag/ec-130h/ (September 5, 2011);
Fulghum, “Libyan Leaders, Soldiers Face Cyber and Information Attacks;” David
Cenciotti, “Libyan airspace most interesting movements of last week,” David Cenciotti’s Weblog, March 11,
2011, at http://cencio4.wordpress.com/tag/ec-130h/ (September 5, 2011);
Fulghum, “Technology Will Be Key to Iraq Buildup.”
154 BBC News, “Libya September 9, 2011 , at http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=182
(September 30, 2011 );
Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission
Aircraft, p. 79.
155 U.S. Air Force, “EC-130J Commando Solo;” Defense Update, “JPADS –
The Way Ahead,” March 2007, at http://defense-update.com/features/du-1-07/aerialdelivery5-future.htm
(September 30, 2011 ).
156 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 80.
157 U.S.
158 Associated Press, “U.S. fights with words as well as arms,” CBS News, March 29, 2011, at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/29/501364/main20048245.shtml
(September 4, 2011); Scott Fontaine, “EC-130J transmissions over Libya posted
online,” Air Force Times, March 22,
2011, at http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/03/airforce-ec-130j-transmissions-psyops-libya-032111w/
(September 4, 2011); BBC News,
“Libya no-fly zone: Coalition firepower.”
159 Fontaine, “EC-130J transmissions over Libya
160 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, pp. 81, 80.
161 Wertheim, The Naval Institute
Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems, p.
919; BBC News, “Libya September 17, 2010 , at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=500&ct=4
(October 1, 2011 ).
162 BBC News, “Libya
163 Wertheim, The Naval Institute
Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems, p.
919; U.S. Marine Corps, Amphibious Ships
and Landing Craft Data Book, at http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCRP%203-31B%20Amphibious%20Ships%20and%20Landing%20Craft%20Data%20Book.pdf
(October 1, 2011); Gregory Vistica, Fall
from glory: the men who sank the U.S. Navy, p. 118, in Google books, at http://books.google.com/books?id=ky-3B5ARy2sC&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=Flag+Plot+Navy&source=bl&ots=4hhHhInbzI&sig=0DEl8lcC--0pcB-DDOyXLImROGQ&hl=en&ei=QjiHTteBKOyqsAL4_pC-Dw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CI0BEOgBMAg#v=onepage&q=Flag%20Plot%20Navy&f=false
(October 1, 2011).
164 Wertheim, The Naval Institute
Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems, p.
919; United States
165 Wertheim, The Naval Institute
Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems, p.
919.
166 BBC News, “Libya
167 Polmar, The Naval Institute
Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S.
168 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft,” at http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/ea18g/index.html
(July 22, 2011); Boeing, “EA-18G Growler: The World’s Premier Electronic Attack
Aircraft,” at http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/ea18g/docs/EA-18G_product.pdf
(October 3, 2011); Streetly, Jane’s
Electronic Mission Aircraft, p. 242; Boeing, “Boeing EA-18G Growlers
Complete 1st Combat Deployment,” July 12, 2011, at http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1834
(July 14, 2011).
169 United States Navy, “EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack
Aircraft,” Navy.mil, June 30, 2011 , at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=950&ct=1
(October 1, 2011 );
Boeing, “EA-18G Growler,” May 2011, at http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/ea18g/docs/EA-18G_overview.pdf
(October 3, 2011 );
Jackson, Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft
2006-2007, p. 661.
170 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” idem, “EA-18G
Growler: The World’s Premier Electronic Attack Aircraft;” idem, “Boeing EA-18G
Growlers Complete 1st Combat Deployment;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, pp. 242-43, 484, 473; Northrop
Grumman, “AN/ALQ-218 Tactical Jamming Receiver,” at http://www.es.northropgrumman.com/solutions/alq218/
(October 5, 2011).
171 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 242.
172 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
242.
173 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 661.
174 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
242; Boeing, “EA-18G Growler: The World’s Premier Electronic Attack Aircraft.”
175 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” idem, “EA-18G
Growler: The World’s Premier Electronic Attack Aircraft;” United States Navy,
“EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft.”
176 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, pp.
242-43.
177 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
243, 532, 528-29; Boeing, “EA-18G Growler: The World’s Premier Electronic
Attack Aircraft;” idem, “Boeing EA-18G Growlers Complete 1st Combat
Deployment;” Raytheon, “AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR,” at http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/stellent/groups/public/documents/content/atflir_brochure.pdf
(October 5, 2011); Jane’s Information Group, “AN/ASD -12(V)
SHAred Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) (United States), Payloads,” Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft,
January 11, 2011, at http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Electronic-Mission-Aircraft/AN-ASD -12-V-SHAred-Reconnaissance-Pod-SHARP-United-States.html
(October 5, 2011); Hewson, Jane’s
Air-Launched Weapons, p. 357.
178 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 243; Boeing, “EA-18G Growler: The World’s Premier
Electronic Attack Aircraft.”
179 Fulghum, “‘Spectral High Ground,’” p. 70; idem, “F-35 To Become
Electronic Attack Aircraft.”
180 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft.”
181 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 243.
182 Boeing, “EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft;” Polmar, The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and
Aircraft of the U.S.
183 Boeing, “EA-18G Growler;” Stephen Trimble, “US DoD agrees to buy
124 F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs over 4 years,” Flight
International, in Flightglobal, May 14, 2010 , at http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-dod-agrees-to-buy-124-fa-18efs-and-ea-18gs-over-4-342005/
( October 7, 2011 ).
184 Boeing, “Boeing EA-18G Growlers Complete 1st Combat Deployment;”
idem, “EA-18G Growler: The World’s Premier Electronic Attack Aircraft.”
185 Gelfand, “End to Libya
186 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 264; Hunter, Jane’s
Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 489; Jackson, Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 810.
187 Jane’s Information Group, “Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16
Fighting Falcon – Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) (United
States), Aircraft – Fixed wing – Military,” Jane’s
Aircraft Upgrades, May 12, 2010, at http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Aircraft-Upgrades/Lockheed-Martin-General-Dynamics-F-16-Fighting-Falcon--Common-Configuration-Implementation-Program-CCIP-United-States.html
(October 6, 2011); Hunter, Jane’s
Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, pp. 495-96.
188 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, p. 266.
189 Ibid., pp. 531-32.
190 Streetly, Jane’s Radar and
Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, pp. 252-53; Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p.
496.
191 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 809.
192 Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft
Upgrades 2006-2007, pp. 495-96, 489.
193
Jane’s Information Group, “Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting
Falcon – Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) (United States),
Aircraft – Fixed wing – Military;” Hunter, Jane’s
Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 496; Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p. 266; Boeing, “Joint Helmet
Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS),” at http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/jhmcs/index.html
(October 6, 2011).
194 Jane’s Information Group, “Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16
Fighting Falcon – Common Configuration Implementation Program (CCIP) (United
States), Aircraft – Fixed wing – Military;” Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 496; Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission Aircraft, p.
266.
195 Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft
Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 496; Streetly, Jane’s
Electronic Mission Aircraft, pp. 266, 465; Michael J. Gething, ed., Jane’s Electro-Optic Systems 2009-2010
(Coulsdon, U.K.: Jane’s Information Group, 2009), pp. 518-19.
196 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, pp. 268, 531-32; idem, Jane’s Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, pp. 507-8.
197 Hewson, Jane’s Air-Launched
Weapons, p. 359; Streetly, Jane’s
Electronic Mission Aircraft, pp. 266, 531.
198 Streetly, Jane’s Electronic
Mission Aircraft, pp. 268, 532.
199 Jackson, Jane’s All the
World’s Aircraft 2006-2007, p. 810; Hunter, Jane’s Aircraft Upgrades 2006-2007, p. 496; Streetly, Jane’s Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems
2008-2009, pp. 251-53.
200 Streetly, Jane’s Radar and
Electronic Warfare Systems 2008-2009, pp. 259, 251.
201 Ibid.; Stephen R. Dines, “How to Quickly and Effectively Locate and
Lock Air-to-Air, Beyond Visual Range – Threats Using the AN/APG-68,” 388th
Training Document, at http://www.388th.org/images/userstuff/A-toA%20Radar.pdf (October 7, 2011 ).
202 Spangdahlem Air Base, “480th Fighter Squadron,” AF.mil, October 21, 2010 , at http://www.spangdahlem.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=17405
(October 6, 2011 );
Streetly, Jane’s Electronic Mission
Aircraft, p. 269; ubdumb, “F-16CJ Operation Odyssey Dawn,” LiveLeak.com, March 22, 2011, at http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=034_1300843214
(October 7, 2011). In this video one can see on the tail of the F-16 the code
“SP,” which now identifies the 480th Fighter Squadron. The fighter, an F-16CM
Block 50D, is seen armed with a HARM anti-radiation missile (ARM ) – the bigger missile - and 2 AMRAAM missiles
per wing. The aircraft also has on the engine inlet’s port side pylon the
AN/ASQ-213 HTS targeting system for the HARM missile, and one can see the front
side of the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pod on the starboard pylon of the engine
inlet. See also boazgu5, “US v. Gaddafi Operation Odyssey Dawn 480th Fighter
Squadron Pilots 50 F-16CJ v. Lybia (sic) 23/3/11 P.11,” YouTube, March
23, 2011 , at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1qFvdV7A2I (October 7,
2011).
203 Rowan Scarborough , “Service chiefs
warn $1T cut would be ‘catastrophic,’” The
Washington November 2, 2011 ,
at http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/2/service-chiefs-warn-1t-cut-would-be-catastrophic/?page=all
(December 7, 2011 ).
204 Ibid.
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