The cornerstone for the future of Area Denial anti-ship warfare naval warfare will be networked "Lookers" and "Shooters". The F-35 will begin taking this capability (way beyond the Link systems in use now) to a new level. Hypersonic weapons in development will be able to hit targets further and faster than ever before.
It will be to a submarine's advantage to fire extended range LRASMs far from the target using position cues provided by an aircraft, (or robotic ship/drone). A TASM would also be effective with some modifications, --though not as stealthy.
An R&D contract was signed this week to explore an extended range, high-efficiency engine for the MK-48, allowing a submarine to fire from over the horizon, (and out of its sonar range) without giving away its position or entering the defensive weapons employment range of a surface ship.
Networked battle commanders will be able to pick and choose which ships provide the weapons with the least probability of counter-detection, using swarm tactics (when appropriate) to overwhelm an enemy's defenses. This capability exists (in a limited way) now, but will become more prevalent as persistent unmanned sensors begin to fill the battlespace.
CCC
