How F-35s neutralise cruise missiles

Speaking to Chris Widerstrom, F-35 Combat Air Australia Lead at Lockheed Martin, intercepting a cruise missile begins with the F-35’s smart sensor capabilities.

“The F-35 is surrounded by sensors as part of a fully closed-loop fusion system. When one sensor detects a potential threat, the F-35’s computing system then applies more resources to the other sensors to look in that direction. Whether it’s radar, electronic warfare capabilities, or electro-optical — all these capabilities come together to provide a find, fix, track and target on the missile. This information is then shared via the F-35’s multi-function data link to our open system gateway, where it is then put into the final engage part of the kill chain.”

This information cycle provided the US Army’s PAC-3 missile system with the information to lock on and destroy the surrogate cruise missile system successfully. However, this was not the first instance in which the F-35’s sensing capabilities were used to detect and monitor surrogate cruise missiles. In 2017, the Joint Strike Fighter provided data for an Aegis-enabled naval capability to intercept a cruise missile using an SM-6 — without the Aegis’ own targeting solutions being activated.

“When intercepting the cruise missile, the F-35 was tied into the Aegis warfare system, where it provided targeting information to an SM-6 missile. Critically, the missile was fired with the SPY radar, and all inherent targeting solutions from the Aegis turned off,” Widerstrom explained. “The only thing informing the targeting acquisition were the sensors from the F-35.”

While the F-35 was integrated into an Aegis warfare system in this particular instance, Widerstrom explained that the F-35 is an “open systems gateway technology,” meaning that it can integrate into any and all other targeting systems. “It doesn’t matter what technology evolves in the future. We’ll just simply add them to the next interface that will allow it to process F-35 information in whatever that native format needs. So we’ve developed a technology that allows us to have, if you will, the proverbial Babel Fish translator that enables us to speak with Aegis Warfare Systems, the US Army’s IBCS systems and Wedgetails in their native languages.”

According to Widerstrom, the F-35 as a system can be updated to address a range of future threats, including intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“We are already working with the US government on future threats and those emerging military technologies that keep our warfighters up at night. Yes, we have the scope to broaden the F-35’s technical offering to overcome emerging assets and are already ensuring that our existing systems can address future threats. That’s helping us to design future modifications to the systems and any additional capabilities to add to the F-35.”

The upgrades are currently undergoing completion as part of the prime contractor’s Block 4 improvements. Some Block 4 capabilities have already begun being delivered to the fleet and are in operation today. “From new Distributed Aperture System (DAS) cameras to the new integrated core processor, there are many more improvements that will continue to increase the capability of the aircraft.”

In January, the US Air Force confirmed that the 461st Flight Test Squadron had successfully completed the first flight of an F-35 in the Technology Refresh (TR-3) configuration. The upgrades include increased computer processing electronics to bolster the Block 4 upgrades, which is expected to include new sensor suites, long-range precision weapons, advanced electronic warfare features as well as enhanced data fusion.