Notwithstanding Pontious' recollection, the Data Link System never went live on Sqn aircraft. There was quite a lot of 'computer controlled' sorties flown under 1 ACC when it was first invented. That was a laugh!
"Accelerate to M1.4"
"Roger"
15 secs later - literally!
"Decelerate to M 0.8"
and so it went on.
The lack of Data Link was beneficial in that a full aircrew bag could be carried on the empty Data Link tray in the bay behind the cockpit. No lost luggage for Lightning pilots.
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