The document discusses the strategic implications of 5th generation aircraft in a shifting global power projection environment, emphasizing the need for innovative operational concepts and enhanced capabilities through systems integration. It highlights the advantages of the F-35 and F-22 systems, showcasing their potential roles in modern military operations, and the importance of flexibility in force deployment using advanced assets like ARGs. The analysis points out the necessity of adapting to disruptive changes in technology and warfare to maintain air dominance and operational effectiveness.

1. 5th Generation AircraftShaping and Engaging in Disruptive ChangeDr. Robbin F. Laird

2. The Shifting Strategic Context for the 5th Generation AircraftA Dynamic Global Power Projection Environment in the Decades Ahead Will Deny the U.S. and Its Allies Air Dominance Based on Traditional ApproachesArms Proliferation (J-20; T-50; Robotics; Missiles; Shifting Dynamics of Defense and Offense) As Part of the Reshaping EquationLiving of the Heritage of the Past is Not a Strategy: Why Keep Buying What the Indian AF Does Not Want to Own?5thGeneration Capabilities Can Lead to Significant Force Structure Synergies (e.g., Aegis and the F-35) And Both Facilitate and Live Off of Disruptive Change

3. A Cultural RevolutionThe Digital RevolutionDistributed Operations Dynamic (C4ISR D)Shift From Specialized Air Platforms to Multi-Mission PlatformsOvercoming Stove Piped C4ISR Acquisition, Deployment and Mental FurnitureThe IPAD Revolution in the Air or the F-35 Combat Systems Enterprise

4. Shaping the Transition

5. New Con-OpsPillars for New Con-opsShaping a 21st Century Air Con-ops for Joint OperationsNew Maneuver Concepts Evolved by Air-Ground IntegrationPilots as Air Battle Mangers Weapons Management on Fleet Wide BasisBest Sensors Last to Shoot as Key to Victory

6. AESA RadarDASEOTSEW SystemCombat SystemsFacilitatorsCNINew Data BusHIgh-Speed BroadbandF-35 CombatSystem EnterpriseSynergies Among Integrated Systems Create New CapabilitiesF-35 as 360 Degree AircraftCombat System Allows the F-35 to Leverage Its Ability to Operate in 360 Degree Space

7. The 5 Core Combat Systems are Highly Interactive and Synergistic

8. The Whole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts

9. Functional Capabilities Delivered by the Enterprise, Not Simply by Stoved-Piped Elements

10. Entire System Enabled by High-Speed Fiber Optic Data BusIf the F-22 Had Been Used in LibyaThe F-22 could clearly have been used in the Libyan operation. Among the many benefits of its use would have been a significantly reduced operational footprint, a wider range of national command authority options, and enhanced impact of the deployed force Clearly, it has proven itself to be not just the world’s most capable combat aircraft, but also a flying sensor platform with on-board capabilities allowing it to perform command and control as well as ISR functions that require a legion of specialized legacy aircraft.The entire no-fly zone operation over in Libya could have been conducted with a squadron of F-22s.

11. If the F-22 Had Been Used in Libya (2)However, that would have obviated the need for any other coalition partner from participating and therefore was not a desirable option politically — ergo the primary rationale for not using F-22s to impose a NFZ in Libya.Using legacy, non-stealth aircraft, to suppress the Libyan integrated air defense system required suppression/destruction to proceed with the imposition of a NFZ, but it also allowed for the participation of the multiple nations that made up the coalition.A very costly solution.

12. Facilitating USMC InnovationThe Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the Libyan CrisisElements for a Newly Enabled ARGLPD 17 and America Class Amphibious Assault ShipsOspreyCH-53KsF-35BsAllows Re-shaping of Con-ops (Re-Look at Libyan Case)The force can secure an airfield for humanitarian airlift; The picket fence of the F-35s replace the AWACs and can guide coalition airpower into Libyan airspace to support agreed upon missions. The USAF does not need to move a large air operation into place to send combat air; The USN does not need to move a large aircraft carrier battle group into place to prepare to strike Libya.

13. The Ops of the Newly Enabled ARGWhat the newly equipped ARG does is provide a significant shaping function for the President. And this shaping function allows significant flexibility and, is in fact, a redefinition of the dichotomy between hard and soft power.And the newly enabled ARG can lead to a significant re-think of how to use the large deck carriers What should be placed on this unique assets?What capabilities should be deployed on the large deck carriers?

14. General “Dog” Davis on the Newly Enabled ARGThe F-35Bs give the new ARG a very high-end air superiority fighter, that’s low observable if I want it to be. I can roll from Air to Air to Air to Ground quickly and be superior to all comers in both missions. That’s bad news for our adversaries. I can use the F-35s to escort the V-22s deep into enemy territory. With those V-22s we can range out to a 400-500-mile radius from the ship without air refueling. I can go deliver Marines deep in the enemy territory or wherever and do it at 250 miles an hour, so my speed of action, my agility is exponentially increased, and I think if you’re a bad guy, that would probably give you a reason to pause. It’s a very different animal that’s out there. We are good now, but will be even more so (by more than a factor of two in the future).