By Kris Osborn, President, Warrior
(Wasington DC) The United Kingdom’s Chief of Defense Staff Adm. Tony Raken said Israel’s F-35i Adir was able to destroy Iranian air defenses from distances as far as 100 miles away, a circumstance which demonstrates the range and fidelity of the aircraft’s advanced sensors.
“Israel used more than 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and with no aircraft getting within 100 miles of the target in the first wave, and that took down nearly the entirety of Iran’s air-defense system,” Radakin said during a Royal United Services Institute lecture in London, as quoted in a Yahoo news essay.
This is not particularly surprising, as US F-35s were able to “see” and “destroy” groups of 4th-generation fighter targets in the US Air Force’s Red Flag wargame several years ago. The multi-role F-35 is well known for its sensing and computing, and is of course now flown by at least 18 countries.
Israel’s F-35i Adir
Israel’s F-35i however, may have in part had success against Iran’s air defenses due to its specially configured technologies woven into the IDF variant of the jet. The “Adir,” as its called, is a different variant of the F-35 which incorporates specific, Israeli-developed technologies, making it different from the remaining F-35s. While many features are of course similar, the Adir is certain to operate with the universal F-35 datalink called Multifunction Advanced Datalink (MADL). The IDF F-35 has uniquely integrated EW, sensing, avionics and targeting technologies which appear to be tailored to the threat circumstances in the Middle East.
Electronic Warfare
The exact specifics of what F-35i Adir technologies are the result of indigenous Israeli efforts may not be fully known for security reasons, yet they are generally known to be in the realm of electronics, EW, fire control, command and control and weaponry. It would make great sense for the IDF to tailor its EW system to specific frequencies, signals and threats known to exist among Israel’s potential adversaries such as Iran or Hamas.
EW technologies can increasingly be programmed to “deconflict” the electromagnetic spectrum and identify specific “lines-of-bearing” which are of relevance to F-35 defenses. Once specific frequencies and electronic signatures from particular enemy systems are recognized, they can more effectively be “jammed” by an EW system. Perhaps some of the best and most effective aspects of F-35 air combat relate to its EW, as an ability to find and jam or disable enemy communications, radio, radar and other systems provides unparalleled advantages in any conflict scenario.
EW is also increasingly integrated with advanced software, so while the IDF F-35 i’s EW may be quite different that the US Air Force’s F-35A, the functionality is likely quite similar.
The F-35A now operates with a BAE-built AN/ASQ-239 EW system, which its developers say introduces 360-degree detection, greater ranges and signal fidelity, and advanced countermeasures. Advanced EW systems are able to simultaneously operate on or even jam a number of different frequencies, accurately discern threats and signals, and enable key countermeasures such as frequency hopping.
Frequency hopping is an interesting technology wherein an EW system is engineered to essentially “counter” a countermeasure. For instance, perhaps an EW signal or RF-reliant weapons guidance system is jammed or attacked by an enemy, frequency hopping would enable the offensive EW systems to continue to operate by “hopping” to another frequency to avoid interference.
Air Targeting
Yet another key element of F-35i warfare in the Middle East likely pertains to air-targeting. One key tactical experience realized by both the US Navy and the IDF in the Red Sea is that fighter jets can at times be well positioned as targeting “sensors” or aerial surveillance “nodes” in position to detect incoming enemy ballistic and anti-ship missiles. The sensors on the F-35 not only help with attack and long-range targeting but they can also operate as a networking sensor node within a larger, integrated network system. In this respect, an Israeli or even US F-35 could use stealth, speed and altitude to see incoming enemy missiles early in their trajectory so as to allow commanders to identify the optimal defense or countermeasure.
Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
