Page 15 - Leverage and Learn

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

“The same aircraft point can be missed because the UK did not fly F-16s, the Norwegian, the Danes and the
Dutch do. And the USAF does not fly Typhoons and Tornados; the UK does. Now they will ALL fly the same
aircraft.”

“I did two OT assignments and we worked to get into Red Flag when we could to do joint training. Here we
can do that virtually every day. We reach the Dutch training airspace, and can work with the Dutch, with the
Brits, with the Germans, with Typhoons, with F3s, with the NATO AWACS. We take off and we fly 30 minutes
to the east and we make it happen. It is Red Flag as regular menu; rather than scheduling a gourmet meal
from time to time.”

And it is not only European allies who can engage in the cross learning. The Aussies and the Dutch are
standing up their F-35s at about the same time, and cross learning between the Aussies and the F-35
European enterprise is clearly already underway based on my interviews in Australia as well.

In short, the UK is leading the way in shaping a new infrastructure for a 21st century air combat force and
with its operational footprint at RAF Lakenheath, the USAF is well positioned to interact with this dynamic of
change. With the RAF and the USAF setting up four squadrons of F-35s between them at two nearby RAF
bases, there is a clear opportunity to shape a common sustainment solution.

And the impact of so doing could be significant on the North Sea neighbors, namely, the Danes the
Norwegians and the Dutch. This is clearly a key way ahead in building out NATO capabilities going forward,
st
which provides a 21 century example of burden sharing which delivers relevant capabilities.

ALLIES AND 21ST CENTURY WEAPONS: THE MARITIME DOMAIN STRIKE
ENTERPRISE

By Robbin Laird Recently, the UK, Norway and the US signed an agreement to work together on ASW in the
North Atlantic, which will leverage the joint acquisition of the P-8 aircraft. This agreement and the evolution
of the aircraft is yet another example of the US and its allies standing up at the same time an evolving
defense capability in which allies are clearly key partners in shaping the evolution of a core combat
capability.

The P-8s is part of a cluster of airplanes which have emerged defining the way ahead for combat airpower
which are software upgradeable: the Australian Wedgetail, the global F-35, and the Advanced Hawkeye, all
have the same dynamic modernization potential to which will be involved in all combat challenges of maritime
operations.

It is about shaping a combat learning cycle in which software can be upgraded as the user groups shape real
time what core needs they see to rapidly deal with the reactive enemy. All military technology is relative to a
reactive enemy. As Ed Timperlake has noted “It is about the arsenal of democracy shifting from an industrial
production line to a clean room and a computer lab as key shapers of competitive advantage.”

http://www.sldinfo.com/the-arrival-of-a-maritime-domain-awareness-strike-capability-the-impact-of-the-p-
8triton-dyad/

And from the ground up, the US Navy is doing this with the Brits, the Australians, and the Norwegians. And
clearly, there is a need for Canada to sort out a way to join in the effort given its geographical location and
the threats, which the United States and the allies face in common.

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