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new tactics and training, and over time this will drive changes that leaders must make
for effective command and control to fight future battles.

The F-35 adds an “electronic” or “tron” warfare component to the fight, an “E” for elec-
tronic. It is not necessary to designate the F-35 as the F/A/E-35 but that would be more
accurate. Adding the “E” with both active and passive capabilities is changing the en-
tire strategic and tactical dynamic combat aviation

The F-35 with its “F” “A” and “E” role in same airframe will be a focal point for pulling
those elements together for the American way of war that “no platform fights alone.”

Passive capability of F-35 sensors will revolutionize strike operations and force innova-
tive strategic Command and Control thinking.

Imagine squadrons of F-35s in a strike package, F-35As taking off from land, the B mod-
el from USS America, F-35C Squadrons from USS Gerald Ford all attacking stealth en-
abled and relying on passive sensing on an emcon mission. Add allies flying the F-35
and the first time the enemy knows they are under attack is when the bombs and mis-
siles impact.

Stealth enabled “passive” sensing with reach not just range will add a revolutionary
step-function in combat effectiveness –both in intelligence gathering and strike–the
nexus between reach in collecting identifying and then having a commander prioritize
“aim-points” to execute passive integrated attack strike vectors is a joint capability that
no other combat force other than US and Allied empower by F-35 A/F/E in the world
will have for at least a decade or more–PLAAF and Russian Stealth do not have fusion
cockpits J-31 does not have passive capability.

Just like Wade McClusky seeing a Japanese wake as to the position of the targeted Car-
riers, often signals-in-space have the ability to give away positions, the F-35 may have a
battle winning way to avoid giving away its position, along with its basing location, be-
cause of both stealth and the very long reach of its passive sensing.

Second Line of Defense December 2014

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