Page 33 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
AIRPOWER
5TH GEN 33
■ Air Force Training Group – aircrew and ground support training capability and development.
The 1990s saw a significant change in the ADF command
structure: the Joint Force Initiative. Headquarters Aus- tralian Theatre (HQAST) was established in 1996 as the ADF’s first operational-level joint headquarters. In 2004, Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) was established. While the ADF suffered growing pains, the flow-on benefits certainly justify its creation. Few would argue that a fifth-generation Air Force could exist without this joint cooperation.
Another significant innovation came when the Defence Capability Development Handbook 2012 introduced another new concept to the Defence lexicon: Fundamental Inputs to Capability (FIC) – Personnel, Organisation, Collective Training, Major Systems, Supplies, Facilities and Training Areas, Support, Command and Management. The 2015 First Principles Review recognised a ninth FIC: Defence Industry.
FIFTH-GENERATION AIR FORCE
The term fifth-generation air force has become widely accept- ed, though not always well understood. The RAAF claims: ‘A fifth-generation Air Force has the strength to win against in- creasingly complex and lethal threats in the Information Age.’
To achieve that, it needs to operate fifth-generation aircraft. While the concept of generations usually refers to fighters, Air Force extends this to include its people, working with all of its aircraft and systems, to achieve a fifth-generation force. Australia’s current levels of de- fence investment – in technology, people and training – is strengthening national security, enhancing global partner- ships and powering economic growth. But other countries in our region are also expanding their de-
ABOVE: RAAF operates some of the world’s most advanced aircraft
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE STEALTHY
Stealthy aircraft, tanks and other platforms present a very low observable (VLO) image to enemy sensors (radar, thermal, op- tical, magnetic, sound, etc.). This means they can get much closer to threats or targets before deploying weapons or sen- sors. While it’s true that LO and VLO aircraft will always be detected – eventually – the ability to see first and shoot first is what matters. It’s important to note that an aircraft’s mantle of invisibility drops as soon as it engages with an adversary.
Dr Konstantinos Zikidis is a Defence scientist with the Hel- lenic Air Force, specialising in stealth technology. He explained to ADM: “A target that presents a low radar signature is de- tected and tracked over a shorter range. Clearly, this offers a
fence forces. Australia’s ability to defend it- self and to support its allies in the air contin- ues to challenge Government, the Defence Department, Air Force and Industry.
With the acquisition and delivery of its first F-35s, Australia has begun to build a fifth- generation force. The F-35 is an all-weath- er, multirole combat aircraft, designed for ground-attack and air-superiority missions. Its combination of stealth, aerodynamic per- formance, and situational awareness enable unprecedented air combat capabilities.
“WHILE IT’S TRUE THAT LO AND VLO AIRCRAFT WILL ALWAYS BE DETECTED – EVENTUALLY – THE ABILITY TO SEE FIRST AND SHOOT FIRST IS WHAT MATTERS.”
distinct advantage; but low observability doesn’t mean complete disappearance from the radar screens. Furthermore, stealth capability comes at a price. Apart from the development cost, stealth aircraft have higher flyaway and mainte- nance costs. They have significant operational limitations due to the aircraft shape and mate- rials used, as well as limited fuel and weapons loads [as these must be carried internally].”
”To overcome the threat that stealth air- craft present, several countries are develop- ing anti-stealth countermeasures including passive/multistatic radar, very low frequency
Lockheed Martin claims the F-35 is ‘the most lethal, sur- vivable and connected fighter in the world’. While this is yet to be proved, there can be no argument that it’s delivering more capability than conventional air combat superiority. Compared to Australia’s fourth generation F/A 18 Hornet and the transitional Super Hornet (which features some, but not all, fifth generation characteristics) this is a sig- nificant technological leap. Fifth-generation fighters typi- cally include all-aspect stealth, Low Probability of Inter- cept Radar (LPIR), high-performance air frames, advanced avionics, and highly integrated computer systems that are capable of networking with other elements within the the- atre of war to achieve greater situational awareness. But it’s the F-35’s stealth capability that attracts so much interest.
radar, over-the-horizon radar and IR sensor systems. While the US has made significant advances in stealth technology, Russia and China are leading the charge with anti-stealth development,” Dr Zikidis said.
Stealthy operation is simple in concept, if not in realisa- tion. The technical challenges and extremely high develop- ment, construction and maintenance costs limit the num- ber of countries that can fund its use. Clearly, the ability to achieve a fifth-generation capability is limited to superpow- ers and to those countries that can maintain a close alliance with them – and have pockets deep enough to participate.
It’s a matter of time before the other superpowers (China and Russia) have similar capabilities. Though small in num- ber, China’s J-20 is the world’s third operational stealth fighter.
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