Page 38 - Williams Foundation Future of Electronic Warfare Seminar

A New Approach and Attitude to Electronic Warfare in Australia

"We have our second MEU using the Blackjack afloat underway right now.

"We have also done a land based combat deployment as well in Afghanistan.
"Our first MEU using the Blackjack, the 22nd, was a sea-based deployment with Blackjack supported combat
ops in Libyas as well.

"It is more difficult to operate at sea.

"It’s not just our operators, our UAS operators, who are gaining experience at sea, but it's everyone else who's
getting experience within part of a MEU MAGTF ACE at sea and learning how to use the system.
"And of course the NAVY is learning as well and this joint learning could well inform a joint acquisition of the
MUX as well.

"We are deploying Blackjack in advance of MSD or the material support date.

"We always lean forward and try to get equipment into the hands of the warfighter as rapidly as possible.

"This means that the reliability rates will be lower initially but as we approach MSD then they adjust upwards.

"There are clear limitations on a Group 3 system like Blackjack, for example, it is a line of sight system.
"But we have a number of payloads for the Blackjack which give us operational flexibility, and Blackjack is
evolving and will remain in the force even after we add MUX."

Question: There is a challenge clearly with how to handle data onboard current Navy amphibious task
force ships.

How will you deal with this?
Col. Barranco: "There is no question that the LPDs and LHAs are going to have to see significant expansion of
their ability to manage data.

"The coming of the F-35 alone would require that but as well augment UAS capabilities this demand will
grow."

Question: So in effect as you are designing MUX you are building on the Blackjack experience and
shaping inputs into Navy ship design as the LPD-17 morphs into LXR, for example?

Col. Barranco: "That is a good way to put it.

"The evolution of the ACE, including UASs, is driving significant change in how we need to design our ships to
manage the MEU afloat and work with the MAGTF ashore.

"Marine Corps Aviation is focused on integration; not just inside the air wing, but on the MAGTF and its
evolution.

"And that is how we look at the evolution of UASs in the force."

In short, the current operation of Blackjacks at sea and on land is a key part of the learning curve with regard
to the operation of the systems and their integration within evolving Marin Corps operations.

As is Marine Corps practice, the Blackjack is in the force in advance of fully being able to support the force.
Second Line of Defense

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