By developing the F-35 for missile defense, the Pentagon is expanding the mission envelope and operational functionality of the aircraft in less recognized areas that often linger beneath the radar clutter associated with budget, cost, and sustainment concerns.
The Army has been expanding its Integrated Battle Command System to incorporate a multi-domain approach and possibly include F-35 jets and a ship-integrated Aegis radar in its network.
F-35 Operates as ‘Elevated Sensor’ to Destroy Cruise Missile
The F-35 jet has been used with IBCS before but this most recent intercept broke new ground in several key respects.
An airborne F-35 jet recently sent targeting specifics to a ground-based Patriot missile fire control system to track and destroy an approaching cruise missile threat. This small feat shows that the Pentagon has taken a step closer to realizing its multi-year vision for cross-domain combat connectivity.
A Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile intercepted a surrogate cruise missile using an F-35 jet as an “elevated sensor” at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.