ADF Cruise missile thoughts

Layered defense is important. No, single, conventional platform will assure deterrence.

I suggest that one cost-effective weapon for Australia to have would be to expand the use of Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles, JASSM-ER and other solutions. While the Tomahawk is proposed as a possible ship and maybe someday, sub launched platform for the ADF, I would also suggest exploring land launched and air launched options.

Inspiration for the land launched variant could be found from the 1980's nuclear GLCM program.



Air launched? While possible, a commercial airliner platform could be interesting:



OK. Maybe a 747 is a bit much.

More on transport "bombers".

"In contrast, the C-5, C-17, KC-10, and B-747-400 could carry as many as 48, 30, 30, and 72 respectively. Air launched cruise missiles require four things from the host aircraft: electrical power, pneumatic cooling air, aircraft flight information (known as velocities), and mission profile data. The bomber satisfies these requirements through two "umbilical cords" to the weapons -- one electrical and one pneumatic."

Table 5. Characteristics of Transports FY02.

Characteristics	C-5B	C-17A	KC-10A
Max payload/Range	291K/1,530 NM	160K/2,400 NM	170K/?
Payload/3,200 NM	180K LBS	110K LBS	170K LBS
# of 463L Pallets	36	18	27/23 w pax
Airdrop Capable	Yes	Yes	No
SATCOM Capable	Military	Military	Commercial
RTIC Capable	POM Initiative	POM Initiative	POM Initiative
GPS Capable	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mil Std Data Bus	Yes	Yes	No
Crew Ratio (Active/ARC)Active/ARC	1.8 / 1.8 2.0 UE	3.0 / 2.0	2.0 / 1.5

Many aircraft in the ADF (not just strike fighters) are potential JASSM-ER carriers, like the C-17. The JASSM-ER has 55-60 percent the range of a Tomahawk Block IV.

Many cruise missile missions do need good ISR.

If the mission is to take out known enemy fixed locations as part of an example to hit hard and send a message, there is still a lot one can do without fresh ISR. Yet, ADF aircraft can be part of the ISR solution by deploying expendable UAVs that, may have a short life, but will provide updated information for the net-centric cruise missile strike.

More on the kind of cruise missile. It can also include this.

Again, all this is not a total solution for, well, anything: offense or defense.

It is an enhancement that along with other platforms and strategy, could help to offer deterrence in relation to the national interest of the Northern approaches. It is also part of an idea that could see Australia spend less on Defence and have increased, fearful, firepower.

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Other shorter range considerations to help in a layered cruise-missile plan:

-Initial JSM clearance studies for the Super Hornet. (It's cousin NSM is ship and land launched. It may see a sub-launched version someday. It has some low observable qualities. Its terminal guidance is immune to electronic jamming.

-Dual-mode Harpoon and SLAM-ER