"...Showering sparks off the deck..."? OOOOOWAAAHHH. OhMyGollyGosh. Youse'll have to wear eye protection and dark glasses on deck at night especially.
The A4G hook radius had to be unsharpened at times (so as to not damage dem wires).
Some info from a 2012 PDF about
MADL (iMADL) in future....
Core Avionics Master Plan 2012 Appendix A-1
http://www.navair.navy.mil/pma209/_D...2012_Final.pdf (3.3Mb)
Onboard Tactical Data Fusion (JSF). (2014) The F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is planned to be delivered with increased automated sensor data fusion, which is a key feature of fifth generation fighter aircraft. Most sensors are managed independently and operators select specific modes of system information display. The JSF will incorporate a fusion server that performs closed-loop sensor tasking to present combined system level track information. The track will still be presented with similar key tactical parameters (location, velocity vector, affiliation and identification), but the solution will be derived from a combination of all available sensor system inputs. Fused contributions from multiple sensor systems, including Electronic Warfare (EW), Radar, IFF, electro-optical, distributed aperture, as well as tactical data from networks such as Link 16 and Multi-function Advanced Data-link (MADL), will present a higher fidelity, higher confidence solution....
...
I. Line of Sight (LOS) Information Exchange....
...Digitally aided Close Air Support (DaCAS) baseline implementation (2014). In Dec 2009 the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) approved the Joint Fires Executive Steering Groups objective to digitally interconnect Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and Joint Fires Observer (JFO) systems with CAS platforms. The JROC endorsed the Variable Messaging Format (VMF) over CNR as the near term LOS CAS standard protocol, and directed the Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) DaCAS Change Control Board to define a common implementation of the appropriate standards (Block 1) by the end of 2010. Block 1 defines a link layer protocol (MIL-STD 188-220 Rev D Chg1), a message header standard (MIL-STD 47001D), and the VMF message standard (MIL-STD 6017B). CAS mission aircraft must configure for VMF Rev D Chg 1....
....
E. Anti-Access Tactical Data Link. Anti Access refers to operations in regions with a threat level high enough to require Low Observable (LO) platforms.
1. Current capabilities. (none). [2015: LPI/LPD Data Link].
Naval Aviation currently will not have a 5th generation Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) or Low Probability of Detection (LPD) data link until 2015.
2. Funded Enhancements and Potential Pursuits.
Anti-Access Tactical Data Link (Multi-function Advanced Data Link – MADL). (2015) MADL is a Ku Band, short/medium range, directional, dynamic, LPI/LPD IP link being developed by the F-35B/C Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. It will be the unique LO data link, designed only for the F-35 as an intra-flight data link within the Anti-Access Region. It will operate as a linear network ("daisy chain”) architecture optimized for a limited number of nodes.
Stealth Interoperability (iMADL) (2018) MADL is proposed to be reengineered to work as an inter-flight LO data link within Anti-Access region and be also integrated on the F-22 and B-2...."