Page 62 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

What else could I do if it was truly an ISR node?

How do I manage that asset differently than if it was just going to shoot down another fighter?”
Although the puzzle analogy suggested an overall approach what he really was focusing on the interaction
between the evolving bigger picture, and relooking at what each piece of the puzzle might be able to do in
fitting into a new puzzle big picture so to speak.

“How would you operate the air warfare destroyer differently as you add a Wedgetail, a P-8, a Triton or
an F-35 to its operational environment?

And conversely, how could the changes in how the destroyer would operate as you evolve systems on it, affect
how you operate or modernize the other pieces of the evolving puzzle?”

And to clarify what this means for platform acquisition, Air Marshal Davies discussed the Tiger case.

“I know it’s a little unfair, but we would probably rethink the combat system on Tiger if we were to buy an
armed reconnaissance helicopter tomorrow. Having flown the airplane, I don’t have any issue with the
airplane that is Tiger. But how do you integrate it? At the moment it is less than ideal in terms of integration.”

He argued that it was crucial to have a realistic and broad view with regard to force design in mind as one
thinks about adding platforms, and a large portion of that force design needs to revolve around
“integratability.”

http://www.sldinfo.com/mastering-the-reshaping-of-the-joint-force-capability-puzzle-a-discussion-with-air-
marshal-davies-of-the-royal-australian-air-force/

Third, systems are expected to be upgradeable from the ground up. A new approach to
integratability is associated with what might be called the coming of software upgradeable
aircraft, such as the P-8/Triton, F-35 or Wedgetail.
Software upgradeability provides a key opportunity to evolve the capabilities of an air combat platform
without having to change the hardware and correlated software configurations through a complicated
upgrade process.

And the software will evolve with the evolution of the threat and the coming of additional opportunities to
shape a “new” aircraft, which will look the same but not operate the same in the battlespace. That is the point
about software upgradeability.
http://www.sldinfo.com/the-software-upgradeable-combat-aircraft-the-case-of-the-p-8/

The introduction of software upgradeable systems introduces a new dynamic as well.

Clearly, the manufacturer needs tight configuration control over the core systems software.

That is clear; but the shift is to shape an application layer on top of the core systems software, which can be
introduced much more rapidly.

The military is envisaging their own version of the Apple development, modernization and migration model.
In an interview with the RAF ISTAR force commander, the importance of integrated upgradeability was seen
as crucial to shaping the evolving force.

Second Line of Defense

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