Page 109 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

“The day where we are all suitably learned in EW that it no longer becomes a label is what we should strive
for.

“That would signify success.

“That would have seen the mainstream embrace EW and cyber.

“So, my challenge to you is, regardless of your organisation, are you an operator in our age of EW?”

A US Navy Perspective on the Way Ahead for EW Capabilities: CDR Mike
Paul at the Williams Foundation Seminar on EW

2017-08-29 By Robbin Laird

Earlier, I had a chance along with Ed Timperlake to visit HAVOC at the Naval Air Warfare Development
Center, and to get the perspective from Fallon on the evolution of EW within the joint force, seen from a US
Navy perspective.

In that interview, there was a clear emphasis on Growler as part of a larger effort, and a piece of the puzzle
to solve how best to survive and prevail in the contested battlespace.

“There are many of us around here who think that the concept of the E2D the F35 and the Growler integrating
would accelerate our transition to where warfare is going with regard to the contested battlespace.

“There are many of us around here who think that would be an outstanding idea that we should really push
for and should be a focus of testing and evaluation.

“But there will be people around as well who will say but how does that lead to me dropping bombs?”

The integration piece and getting those who think in legacy kill chains to embrace a very different way of
thinking, namely the kill web was also emphasized by CDR Mike Paul when he presented at the Williams
Foundation and participated in the panels and discussed these issues over dinner at the Foundation as well.

A key element of shaping the way ahead was highlighted not only in his presentation but the presence of the
US Navy Growler community in Australia.

The US DoD’s new EW Strategy tells us that Electronic Warfare underpins U.S. national military objectives
through demonstration of electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) superiority. “A force multiplier for a range of military
operations, EW maximizes lethality of precision strike weapons, assures mission command and increases mobility
by protecting complex battle networks, weapon systems and forces. EW provides rapid situational awareness and
produces chaos in adversary decision-making.”

The fact is that U.S. military operations are rarely conducted unilaterally and are increasingly reliant on
contributions from our partners and allies. The Navy I think has done great work, ensuring EW development
efforts are interoperable, and aligned with our allies (the Growler is a good example). The battlespace awareness
you get with the passive sensing capabilities in the Growler is not free – by nature, our mission requires
interoperable data sources and software formats.

In fact our Chief of Naval Operation’s Maritime Strategy states that we must also expand opportunities for
coalition EW training and education in the U.S. and abroad. We’re tasked to build or enhance partner EW
capabilities and capacity, and ensure partner and ally capabilities remain viable against emerging peer or near-
peer threats.

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