David Axe
Security,
Can the U.S. Marine Corps use F-35s ought salary electrical Warfare?
The U.S. Marine Corps is trying ought pattern out how ought salary electrical combat now that the service has retired the persist of its EA-6B Prowler radar-jamming planes.
The Prowler, a four-seat translation of the long-retired, two-seat A-6 invasion plane, eventually bowed out of service can March 2019.
The Prowler carried AN/ALQ-99 jamming pods beneath its wings and also could liberate High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, or HARMs. fleet and Marine Corps EA-6Bs suppressed and destroyed enemy stand defenses can each headmaster American shock after 1970.
But by 2019 the Prowlers were old and maiden a little remained can service. The fleet retired its Prowlers can 2015. The persist six Marine EA-6Bs spent their persist months flying fight missions above the heart East.
The fleet replaced its EA-6Bs with new EA-18G Growlers, cottage during the Marines opted no ought buy this radar-jamming variant of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Instead, the Corps is trying something new, and spreading the electronic-warfare mission over a broad array of aeroplane including stealth fighters and drones.
“The Marine aviation way ought electromagnetic-spectrum operations is a distributed, platform‐agnostic strategy,” the Corps explained can its 2018 aviation plan. “Marine aviation is integrating E.W. systems and Intrepid Tiger II payloads over aviation platforms ought equip commanders with an organic and continuous airborne E.W. capability.”
For starters, the Marines are counting above the F-35 stealth fighter with its powerful AN/ASQ-239 electronic-warfare suite, datalink and new weapons partially ought replace the EA-6B’s hold jamming capability. The Marine Corps plans ought buy 420 F-35s ought replace, by 2030, coarse of its older fixed-wing jets.
“The F-35 brings a powerful blend of [electronic warfare], weapons, sensors and reduced signature ought the [Marine Air-Ground work Force],” the Corps explains can its 2019 aviation plan. “F-35 E.W. capabilities contain emitter geolocation, identification and parametric data sharing via unite 16 [data-link].”
In addition, future versions of the F-35 ought exist compatible with the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile, a new translation of the hurt with a perfect seeker and software. The Marines also confide that the F-35’s electronically-scanned-array radar could, with modification, double because a radar-jammer.
But it’s the AN/ASQ-239 that gives the F-35 its near-term electronic-warfare capabilities. The AN/ASQ-239 “provides the astronaut with maximum situational awareness, helping ought identify, monitor, analyze and reply ought latent threats,” according ought manufacturer BAE Systems. “Advanced avionics and sensors equip a real-time, 360-degree advice of the battlespace, helping ought maximize detection ranges and equip the astronaut with options ought evade, engage, counter or squeeze threats.”
But the Marines aren’t assuming the F-35 coarse by itself will exist capable ought oppress coarse enemy stand defenses. The Corps also is developing the Intrepid Tiger II, a radio- and radar-jamming pod that’s compatible with about any rotorcraft or fixed-wing plane. The Corps is integrating I.T. II above its AV-8B spring jets, UH-1Y fetch helicopters, KC-130J aerial tankers and MV-22B tiltrotors.
“I.T. II is an E.W. payload providing communications electronic-warfare undergo and electronic-attack capabilities,” the 2019 aviation project states. “I.T. II deploys with each AV-8B ... detachment and has also completed eight ... deployments with UH-1Y detachments.”
“I.T. II integration with KC-130J ... will exist completed and fielded can [fiscal year] ‘19. development of an I.T. II counter-radar ability because the MV-22B began can F.Y. ’16, [research and development] is ongoing over F.Y. ‘21. Throughout F.Y.18 I.T. II was deployed can undergo of the 15th, 31st, 26th and 13th [Marine Expeditionary Units].”
As of 2018, the Marines also planned ought add Intrepid Tiger II ought the modern RQ-21 drone and the future Marine Unmanned Expeditionary drone, or MUX. “The initial investigation and pattern because an I.T. II E.W. payload above the RQ‐21 began can F.Y. ‘18,” the 2018 aviation project explained. ‘Payload product is planned because F.Y. ‘21‐’23. … Integrating I.T. II above the RQ‐21 will lay the base because farther E.W. expansion.”
“Future Marine aviation E.W. capabilities will also exist provided by MUX,” the 2018 project continued. “In addition ought providing continuous reconnaissance/ surveillance and communications, MUX will also equip a long-range, persistent, penetrating, responsive, airborne [electronic-warfare] capability.”
David Axe serves because Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is the author of the graphic novels War Fix, War Is Boring and Machete Squad.
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