As commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle commands all US Air Force fighter and reconnaissance aircraft. Militär Aktuell spoke to the general on the sidelines of the “Air Tattoo” in RAF-Fairford about …
… the new air doctrine of the USA
In May, the USAF received a new air war doctrine. Air Superiority 2030 primarily regulates the behavior and approach towards future potential enemy systems such as the T-50 or FC-31, “but also towards air defense systems such as the S-500,” says General Carlisle. “The countries developing these air and air defense systems will also export their systems, and therefore our forces will have to face these threats across a wide spectrum by 2030 at the latest.” Air Superiority 2030 also addresses cyberwarfare, hypersonic weapons, stealth cruise missiles and new ballistic missiles.” The 4-star general adds: “F-16s and F-15s will certainly no longer play a role in 2030.”
… the introduction of the F-35 JSF
Of the more than 2,400 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) planned for the three US branches of the armed forces, 170 have already been built – despite the fact that development is still ongoing – and some have also been undergoing troop tests since 2011. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was declared at the beginning of August. “Prior to this, crews had to fire, drop and deliver all previously integrated missiles and bombs with their F-35s,” says General Carlisle. “In the process, 39 out of 40, or 97.5 percent, of the weapons hit their target. In addition, all sensors and their software packages in Version 3I had to be scaffolded and deployable, stable and connected to the complex maintenance logistics cloud ALIS and be operational everywhere. The system had a great availability of 92.3 percent.” Carlisle was particularly enthusiastic about the potential applications of the JSF: “The sensors and software are an order of magnitude better than anything we’ve had before. This is particularly evident in electronic warfare and situational awareness, both in overcoming enemy defenses and in protecting our own platforms.” However, the F-35 is not yet at the end of its development. “What is final when it comes to software?” Carlisle told Militär Aktuell, “there will be further developments.” However, the US general leaves no doubt about the operational capability of the JSF even now. “After IOC, I would now send the F-35 anywhere!”
