Page 7 - May 2019

Cover Story
for many years to come and will
have to adapt, develop and deploy
new technologies and concepts to
achieve this. Clearly, for air forces
not yet committed to a fifth-generation
program, the imperative is to adapt
to a future where coalition partners
have already taken this step. In short,
without fifth-generation aircraft, an air
force risks being in a supporting role
in a coalition air environment and will
require a fifth-generation partner to
provide mission success against a
near-peer adversary.
Finally, the benefits of privileged
access to the highest level of military
technology enjoyed by the F-35 are
substantial. The highly collaborative
nature of the programme ensures
that technology transfer occurs at an
The aim is to create and operate a networked environment where the lines are seamless unprecedented scale and provides
between sensors, shooters and operators. Photo SGT Mark Doran. a wealth of opportunities for hi-tech
defence industries across the partner
a strong ability to do so through links and operate a networked environment countries. The fact that the F-35 will be
forged over the years through NATO where the lines are seamless between operated by so many states will also
and operating in coalitions since the sensors, shooters and operators. As a boost the opportunities for innovation
end of the Cold War. result, air forces that do not possess in disciplines such as engineering
these capabilities are likely to find and avionics, as well as tactics and
Implications of Integrated themselves increasingly relegated to concepts. For air forces outside of the
programme, technological advances
Fourth- and Fifth- a supporting rather than a leading role can, of course, be pursued at the
in planning for, and executing, future
Generation Air Forces contingency operations. Countries that national level but they will not benefit
for Countries that are not are not able to contribute and operate from the exchange of ideas, concepts
and innovation that are generated by
F-35 Partners effectively in high-threat environments this collaborative programme.
will potentially find themselves not on an
Air forces that have not yet committed, equal footing with their coalition partners, Conclusion
or do not have current plans to transition a position that may compromise their
to fifth-generation systems, will need to role in military and, increasingly, political After a decade and a half of delays,
consider the operational and strategic decision-making. setbacks and bad press, the F-35
implications of such decisions. Four Except Australia, all of the original programme and the technological
areas should be considered in light of nine partner countries are NATO advancements linked to it are
future military operations: the ability members, allowing the smaller air gathering momentum. The programme
to engage near-peer adversaries forces of the Alliance – such as Spain is driving the partner states not just
in a high-intensity environment; the and Belgium – to mitigate the limitations to unprecedented levels of military
military status and political parity with of their continued reliance on fourth- cooperation and convergence, but
allied countries; the integration and generation assets by optimising the developing the networked joint forces
collaboration capabilities with partner capabilities of the F-35 with their necessary to operate in an increasingly
forces; and the potential limitation legacy platforms in a NATO context. contested environment. For states
of the depth and breadth of defence For larger Western countries not that have chosen not to participate in
technological innovation. in the F-35 programme – such as the fifth-generation programme, the
As previously discussed, fifth- France and Germany – there will be challenges will be tactical, strategic
generation systems are not merely particular pressure to prioritize the and political.
about employing stealth attributes, but optimization of their existing platforms Countries not actively involved
rather about harnessing the substantial with the capabilities of the F-35. With in fifth-generation transformation
advancements in processing ability and the possible exception of the RAAF, all are starting to face a capability gap
data fusion capabilities inherent in such the F-35 partners will be running legacy that will only continue to widen over
systems. Effectively, the aim is to create fleets alongside their new capability the next decade. Other means –

7