Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, director of the Missile Defense Agency, has said the F-35 fighter aircraft could detect, monitor and target ballistic missiles by 2025, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.
“I’d say six to seven years to essentially work out the concept of operations (and) develop the capabilities — (whether) it’s sensor-based or a new fast missile that’s hung on the bottom of an F-35 for the [Ballistic Missile Defense System) mission — integrate those capabilities, test them and deliver them into a theater of operations,†Greaves told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subpanel.
“Our job is to look outside of the classic missile defense system and look for sensors and shooters that would be able to contribute when integrated into the BMDS, and we see F-35 as one,â€Â he noted.
Greaves, a 2018 Wash100 recipient, said MDA has been working with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy on how they will integrate the Lockheed Martin-built fighter jet into missile defense.
He also cited the role of regional combatant commanders in efforts to determine potential F-35 applications in missions.
