F-35 & stealth obsolescence?

[popcorn]

The ability of the F-35 with it's advanced sensors to operate within hostile airspace,as,part of a coordinated team sharing a common view of the battlespace contributes to situational decision-making, making for very short OODA loops. The new-gen A2G ordnance are,getting smarter, able to bring a weapon within close proximity of the threat at which point it's own onboard sensors e.g. IIR, RF, LIDAR, etc. are capable of dealing with even mobile targets. The enemy faces the choice of remaining stationary or scooting but with the short OODA loop, it can expect to be detected and prosecuted in short order.

[exosphere]

Sorry to be a pain I'm on dialup speed for a few days so searching for info is a pain. This more recent PDF does not mention aircraft for USAF other than B-52s & F-16C/Ds as lead aircraft for MALD integration: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/fy2 ... 12mald.pdf

Do you have any F-35/MALD relevant info after 2007? Tah.

I don't have any more recent information, so I'm not sure whether or not that requirement has been dropped; I haven't heard anything relating to a change in MALD deployment, though.

The later DOT&E report states that the F-16 and B-52 will be the two main aircraft to utilize the MALD. That seems kind of vague, as it doesn't explicitly state that the F-16 and B-52 will be the only aircraft to utilize the MALD, but it doesn't state which other aircraft will use it, if any.

After reading both DOT&E reports... on a side note, doesn't it seem a little bit like most DOT&E reports, whether they're about the F-35, MALD, or pretty much any other military program, kind of state the obvious when they report that prototype or early operational versions of an aircraft/munition tend to have a lower average availability/reliability than what is expected for "full operational" version?

[maus92]

F-35: No MALD-J for you, per Inside Defense:

Budget Constraints Douse Air Force Hopes For New MALD-J Capabilities

"Budget constraints are preventing further Air Force investment into its Miniature Air-Launched Decoy-Jammer program in spite of efforts by Raytheon, the prime contractor, to trial a range of new capabilities and launch options. And despite the system's maturity and capability, the MALD-J and its decoy-only predecessor remain integrated only with the Air Force's F-16 fighter and B-52 bomber fleets. In a Feb. 11 interview with Inside the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command's MALD-J materiel leader, Marya Bard, said there is not enough funding nor interest from the various aircraft programs to proceed with new MALD-J projects -- including those being developed internally by Raytheon and others. There are also no moves to integrate the system with the fifth-generation fighters, the F-22 and F-35. "

http://defensenewsstand.com/ (Subscription based)

[maus92]

Well written - it is often overlooked that the F-35 has a significant EW capability, arguably the most mourn in the world today.

In-band, that is - hence the push for EA-18s. And with no antennas steerable aft, egress is vulnerable to any band.

[spazsinbad]

Thanks 'maus92' for that info - what is the date please? Tah. Just on another note this is how perhaps the scenario may be envisaged (would have been a great brief to attend).

Key Issues with Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Test and Evaluation 2011
Dr. J. Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test & Evaluation, Presentation to the 2011 Association of Old Crows, AEA Symposium

http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/presentatio ... posium.pdf (1.8Mb)

[maus92]

Thanks 'maus92' for that info - what is the date please? Tah. Just on another note this is how perhaps the scenario may be envisaged (would have been a great brief to attend).

Key Issues with Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Test and Evaluation 2011
Dr. J. Michael Gilmore, Director, Operational Test & Evaluation, Presentation to the 2011 Association of Old Crows, AEA Symposium

http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/presentatio ... posium.pdf (1.8Mb)

The date was February 14, 2014, from "The Insider."

[spazsinbad]

Thanks.

[cantaz]

For most scenarios, it makes no sense to use stealth aircraft for MALD, as they need to be loaded to to approach and actually kill the threats that the MALD are decoying. MALD integration for F-22 and F-35 is a luxuary, at least until the legacy MALD mules are all put out to pasture.

[popcorn]

For most scenarios, it makes no sense to use stealth aircraft for MALD, as they need to be loaded to to approach and actually kill the threats that the MALD are decoying. MALD integration for F-22 and F-35 is a luxuary, at least until the legacy MALD mules are all put out to pasture.

I agree. It makes sense to have your stealth aircraft positioned in the vicinity then launch a wave of MALD/MALD-J to flush out the prey.
It's a shame that JDRADM or something like it has not yet materialized. Internal carriage of a high-speed missile with anti-RF capability on swarms of LO aircraft within hostile airspace would put more teeth SEAD/DEAD.

[maus92]

For most scenarios, it makes no sense to use stealth aircraft for MALD, as they need to be loaded to to approach and actually kill the threats that the MALD are decoying. MALD integration for F-22 and F-35 is a luxuary, at least until the legacy MALD mules are all put out to pasture.

You could use the MALD-J as a stand-in jammer, released when very close to a target/radar/defensive system where stealth is irrelevant.

And unlike F-35, the Super Hornet has a MALD-J capability.

As far as the decoy versions of MALD, quantity is what is needed - so the B-52 (and even C-17) platform makes sense.

[SpudmanWP]

Raytheon's best option for more MALD & MALD-J sales are to put UAI drivers on it. That way any F-15E (now) , US or EPAF F-16 (post Blk 40/50 update) , or F-35 (Blk4) can use it an would only need separation tests to be done per airframe.

[taog]

For most scenarios, it makes no sense to use stealth aircraft for MALD, as they need to be loaded to to approach and actually kill the threats that the MALD are decoying. MALD integration for F-22 and F-35 is a luxuary, at least until the legacy MALD mules are all put out to pasture.

You could use the MALD-J as a stand-in jammer, released when very close to a target/radar/defensive system where stealth is irrelevant.

And unlike F-35, the Super Hornet has a MALD-J capability.

As far as the decoy versions of MALD, quantity is what is needed - so the B-52 (and even C-17) platform makes sense.

I am interesting in MALD-J's jamming ability . Due to its size,can it generate enough power to jam enemy's system and be effect？

[popcorn]

For most scenarios, it makes no sense to use stealth aircraft for MALD, as they need to be loaded to to approach and actually kill the threats that the MALD are decoying. MALD integration for F-22 and F-35 is a luxuary, at least until the legacy MALD mules are all put out to pasture.

You could use the MALD-J as a stand-in jammer, released when very close to a target/radar/defensive system where stealth is irrelevant.

And unlike F-35, the Super Hornet has a MALD-J capability.

As far as the decoy versions of MALD, quantity is what is needed - so the B-52 (and even C-17) platform makes sense.

i am interesting in MALD-J's jamming ability . Due to its size,can it generate enough power to jam enermy 's system and be effect？

It gets a lot closer to threat emitters so it doesn't require as much power to achieve the desired,effect.

[munny]

Especially relevant when low RCS aircraft are being used as far less power output is needed to hide them.

[popcorn]

Especially relevant when low RCS aircraft are being used as far less power output is needed to hide them.

Double-whammy