PREPPING FOR A MARITIME FIGHT THE PUSH FOR JOINT WARFARE SPURS MORE FOCUS ON ANTI-SHIP TACTICS, WEAPONS

摘要

The Air Force is preparing for a new era in maritime operations, taking on a larger role in surface warfare as the U.S. casts a wary eye at China and Russia. "The Pentagon has discussed bolstering its abilities in the Pacific for years, and the military is no stranger to air operations in the region. But the push toward more cohesive joint warfare has spurred greater focus on anti-ship tactics and weapons in the Far East and beyond for the first time since the Cold War ended. The Joint Direct Attack Munition is one piece of a growing arsenal of munitions the Air Force is testing across multiple aircraft for surface warfare, or going after ships. First Lt. Lindsey Heflin, a spokesperson for the 53rd Wing at Eglin, told Military Times in September that the F-15E test was part of a program to create a weapon sensor that can more precisely target surface ships and a warhead tailored for maritime use. The 2,000-pound warhead, combined with the JDAM tail kit's navigation system, allows the Air Force to vet technology that can replace the Paveway Ⅲ bomb as the service's primary anti-ship weapon.