Page 25 - F-35 and Transformation

The F-35 and The Transformation of the Power Projection Forces

Question: You have Nellis in your command; how is Nellis working with the Marines and the Navy to
shape innovation?
General Carlisle: The F-35 as a common platform among the air services is a key element in our
transformation. Nellis and MAWTS have taken Air Force and Marine Corps integration to a whole new level
of collaboration, integration and understanding as we work together on the F-35.
We’re doing the same thing with the Navy and Admiral Manazir and I have had discussions about greater
collaboration and integration many times.
When you consider that in the international context, flying the same aircraft is taking us to a new level of
collaborative engagement.
And assuming the Canadians buy F-35, we will see even closer integration among the five eye nations. We
will shape a level of synergy among those air forces that exceeds anything we have done before.
Question: The airpower transition we are talking about really is about multi-domain evolution. Could
you talk to that opportunity and challenge?
General Carlisle: At the Weapons School at Nellis we are now completely focused on multi-domain
integration as a warfighting skill. The weapons school is a crucial incubator for practical changes and
feedback about ways we can enhance greater collaboration and integration across the warfighting domains.
We are clearly working hard on integration of missile defense with our strike assets as well.

FIGURE 2 F-35 FLYING WITH F-22. CREDIT: USAF

For example, we have made significant steps in the Pacific where we can better integrate area defense for
the carrier strike groups and defend our airbases as well.
At the same time, we are still at a negative price point in terms of our ability to launch interceptors against
incoming missiles. But of course, we are not just going to sit there and take incoming missiles.
In that sense, we are combing offense with defense to protect our forces and our interests.
We are clearly working on getting low-cost, high-magazine, high-accuracy defensive systems such as those
associated with the rail gun or lasers.

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