Page 124 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

Setting aside Admirals like to be Admirals and Generals like to be Generals, “commanders guidance” will
eventually evolve to empower independent action and combat deeds at the operator level. Fortunately
American think like that and this is the revolutionary step function that breaks the linear progression of
previous generations.

The “Z” axis in which the F-35 is the prototype is the first fusion 360 “reach not range” information into the
individual cockpits. Not only does this enhance the Payload utility of the indigenous weapons carried but such
a capability unifies and empowers a fleet wide target acquisition capability and target engagement
capability. Put in other words, the ability to tap into the resources of the entire combat fleet can be
energized.

For example, as stated previously I briefed “Aegis is my wingman” and “an SSG(N) is my fire support” to the
Air Force Association Conference. The power of that statement is seen in a previous Chief of Staff of the USAF
discussing one shooter having the missile launched but captured by a sensor for guidance to a kill.

This is the dawn of a new Pu paradigm.

A design focus of F-35 is the cockpit, and helmet displays of trusted fused integrated systems. Enabled with
that technology the pilot can also be a distributed information decision-maker.

This is the Z axis in action and the enabler is the trusted “fusion engine.”

Fleet wide information sharing among services and allies may be a huge factor in winning an air campaign
and a war.

The Payload-Utility Dynamic And the Kill Web: Leaving the Legacy Kill
Chain in the Rear View Mirror

Therefore my latest research, which is an attempt to bring focus on a simply stated observation, has profound
complexities in execution.

Payload utility can be a driver for understanding the future development of combat systems.

To understand Pu with full honor to John Boyd, it can be noted that Observe/Orient (OO) is essentially target
acquisition, and Decide/Act (DA) is target engagement.

Thus there is a very simple formula, better and better TA and TE =more effective employment of all payloads
available to the battle commander.

It is the process of understanding the huge complexities in such a simple formula that is the challenge.

Understanding the technology and human dynamic through an analytic filter of a Payload Utility function
consisting of weapons (kinetic and TRON) and the dual components of Target Acquisition (TA) and Target
Effectiveness (TE) effectiveness in a fighting fleet engaged in high intensity combat in the unforgiving cauldron
of battle maybe a war winner.

Either in one platform, or melded into a unified fighting Fleet to bring all different types of appropriate
“weapons on” for the kill shot is a powerful concept.

Second Line of Defense

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