Ground-based missile defenses such as our mostly Alaska-based missiles cannot be the only defense against ICBMs. The missile defenses must start where the enemy launches and continue until the last minute when the last ditch defenders take their shot.
Using the F-35 to shoot down enemy ICBMs during the boost phase shortly after launch.:
The concept, according to industry and Pentagon developers, would be to use F-35 weapons and sensors to detect or destroy an ICBM launch during its initial "boost" phase of upward flight toward the boundary of the earth’s atmosphere. The F-35 could use a 'kinetic" solution wherein it fires upon and destroys a launching ICBM -- or a "sensor" solution where it "cues missile defense systems."
While Pentagon F-35 officials emphasize the F-35 program is currently focused on nearer-term efforts such as delivering software upgrades to the airplane, there is growing consensus that exploring F-35 nuclear missile defense is something of great potential benefit. Early conversations and conceptual work are already underway.
I've noted this possibility. And before the F-35, addressed boost phase defenses as part of a layered defense:
[In a preemptive layer,] we'll strike hard using advance penetrating precision weapons with a layer of defenses backstopping our effort to kill leakers, stretching from the Iranian target site back to our assets that might be struck. We'll use modified Sidewinders and AMRAAM on fighters over the enemy target to hit missiles in their boost phase, airborne PAC-3 missiles to strike missiles in flight once we know where the enemy missiles are headed, and ground-based point defense PAC-3s and area missile defenses based on land and sea. Add in airborne lasers later. Hopefully, we nail the missiles on the ground and if not, somebody on the ballistic arc manages a hit before detonation over the Iranians' target.
If the layered defense is good enough for the threat level, the effort to take out missiles before launch could take place after the enemy begins launching, rather than being preemptive.
The use of the F-35 as a sensor rather than shooter is also a concept I've noted.
As with dealing with conventional anti-ship ballistic missiles, you need to fight the threat across the entire kill chain from target acquisition and enemy launch to the final seconds of the attack. Could drone swarms be the last ditch defense?
NOTE: War updates continue here.
