PPRuNe Forums - RAF Voyager upgrades

FFS - two years down the line and they’re still talking bout doing trials of an ABN to let the F-35B talk to other platforms?

I’dhave thought by now it was built in as part of the specification for Crows Nest. As it is we’ll probably have something in service around 2030....

This is over two years old.........

https://publications.parliament.uk/p...ce/845/845.pdf

Reported communications and software issues

1. We are pleased that the Government acknowledges the potential value of using the Multifunctional Advanced Data Link (MADL) for secure communications between the F-35 and our older aircraft. We note both that it is the MoD’s ambition to have MADL- type capabilities across the carrier group and that trials of a gateway communications node have been undertaken involving the F-35 and Typhoon. (Paragraph 46)

The Government continuously seeks to improve the inter-operability between defence and security systems across the air, land, sea and cyber domains in order to gain the optimum effectiveness and efficiency from our assets. Enhancing the ability for F-35 to share data covertly across the battlespace, thereby increasing its potency, is a prime example of this principle. The Department will continue to determine the optimum means to enable effective and secure information exchange (noting that MADL is just one solution to meet this requirement).

2. We agree with Justin Bronk from RUSI that, without an advanced data link and translation node, the UK will be underusing one of the key capabilities of the F-35—its ability to interact with older aircraft and greatly augment their potency. In the light of the successful Babel Fish III trial, which saw a gateway node used to translate MADL messages to Link 16 format between F-35s and Typhoons, earlier this year, and ahead of the UK receiving its first squadron of F-35 fighters next year, we recommend that the MoD make provision for the procurement of a gateway translation node for MADL- based F-35 to Typhoon communication in the next Equipment Plan. (Paragraph 47)

The MoD has undertaken a series of trials of communication nodes between the Link 16 format and the MADL format using F-35 and Typhoon aircraft. However, in order to make an informed investment choice of acquiring and fitting such systems more widely, we must first understand the value to each potential user in receiving any such data (especially when most of the contained information is relevant only to F-35 systems) and importantly whether likely operational circumstances permit exchange of such data (operating range, altitudes, environmental conditions, etc.).

The MoD, alongside the US Services and industry partners will continue to explore the value of exchanging data through the classified series of Babel Fish trials. These trials will enable the MoD to set specific requirements for a communication node (or potentially modification to Typhoon) to enhance F-35 data sharing. This will form the basis of a cost/ benefit analysis for consideration in the MoD’s annual investment planning process.