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The F/A-18 -in fact no system in the world, can do what I just described. The critical
point is taking advantage of the “Z-axis” is to build new weapons. The Navy and AF
armaments commands now have a combat survivable aircraft that can “tron” track the
threat.

Weapons and systems can be developed that enhance EW offensive capabilities against
incoming missiles and also target them with kinetic weapons internally carried and
from other platforms. Hopefully some day lasers will also come to the fight all to kill the
hypersonic threat before it gets close to its end game maneuvering.

The F-35 initially will be network to other systems but realistically the “other systems”
should begin to evolve toward taking advantage of F-35 SA potential-not the other way
around and over time this will happen.

The S-Cubed Revolution

Inherent in the discussion of dealing with the coming hypersonic missile threat is the
ability to being at the cutting edge of the S cubed revolution. Sensors, combined with
stealth combined with speed can provide a new paradigm for shaping the Pacific force
necessary for the U.S. in working in the Pacific.

At the heart of getting the policy agenda right is to understand that warfare is highly
interactive.

Buying, building and deploying yesterday’s technologies against evolving threats is a
sure fire way of being in the wrong side of the outcome.

As Lt. General Walsh, then Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat De-
velopment Command, put it succinctly in a presentation:

Some say that the development of modern anti-access, area denial threats make an amphibious
assault impossible.

That has been said before and it was not true then and it is not true now.

Second Line of Defense December 2014

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