Page 67 - F-35B and USMC

The Integration of the F-35B into USMC Operations

In fact, the former MARFORPAC, Lt. General Robling, underscored to central importance of distributed C2
for a deterrence in depth strategy in the Pacific.

The Australian military is small in comparison to the US, but it is a lethal and technologically sophisticated force.

In the face of a large-scale threat, they, like the US and others in the region, wouldn’t be able to defend by
themselves. They would have to be a part of a larger collective security effort and ally with the US or other
likeminded nations in the region in order to get more effective and less costly defense capabilities pushed farther
forward.

This is one reason why their buying the JSF and the “Wedgetail” is so important. These two platforms are
amazing force multipliers that bring to the region superior Command and Control and networked strike
capabilities. These capabilities will be both additive and complementary to the capabilities other nations bring to
collective security in the region.

The JSF with its superior networked sensor suite can collect a lot of information from sources at significant
distances, and partner with the capabilities of the “Wedgetail” to help disseminate that information to air, sea,
and land forces who need the information.
These capabilities and others make perfect sense for Australia and the greater Asia Pacific’s collective security
requirements. In addition, other countries like Japan and Singapore can likewise contribute to this collective
security because they too are buying the same types or similar military capabilities.

I like the term deterrence in depth because that’s exactly what it is. It’s not always about defense in depth.

It’s about deterring and influencing others behavior so they can contribute to the region’s stability, both
economically and militarily, in an environment where everyone conforms to the rule of law and international
norms.

http://www.sldinfo.com/the-distributed-laydown-in-the-pacific-and-deterrence-in-depth-lt-general-robling-
discusses-the-evolution-of-the-usn-usmc-team-in-the-pacific/
The emerging perspective which can be characterized as a kill web, or the “network as a weapon” or a “fifth
generation enabled force” can be encapsulated in the graphic above, which reflects the convergent lines of
transformation shaping a foundation for the next decade of change.

Building Platforms After Next

The need to operate at greater distance and to deal with a growing diversity of threats has highlighted the
importance of ensuring an ongoing modernization effort to enhance that the liberal democracies have the
capabilities to fight as a an integrated team in that battlespace.

This requires capable platforms, which can perform their core missions but to do so with greater effect by
being more capable through the connectors or enablers for a more integrated force.

Each of the key platforms has a set of core functions, yet their impact is enhanced by inter-connectivity
and determining how best to operate those platforms in ways which enhance the overall capabilities of
the force.

When approaching the question of the acquisition of new platforms, a key consideration needs to be what
does that platform bring to the integrated battlespace?

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