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U-2 Dragon Lady successfully opens data connectivity between the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II

F-22 Raptor And F-35 Lightning II
Connectivity Between F-22 Raptor And F-35 Lightning II 

Militarymedia.net - The U-2 spy plane has successfully acted as an air interpreter and data link between the F-22 Raptor and five F-35 Lightning IIs. Project Hydra tests conducted by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the US Missile Defense Agency and the US Air Force show for the first time how a 5th Generation fighter can share data.

Since the F-22 was introduced in 2005, the F-22 has been recognized as one of the most advanced and capable combat aircraft in the world. However, it's not good at sharing data directly with anything other than the other F-22s. As a result, F-22 pilots were forced to pass on data collected by the combat aircraft system using older model voice radio calls.

That may seem like an example of bad engineering, but it's actually a matter of conflicting requirements. While the F-22 can receive radio signals to the standards set for US and NATO systems, the F-22 cannot transmit through the system because the F-22 is designed to be stealth. This meant that they had to use Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) radio transmitters, which were extremely difficult for enemy forces to detect and target.

Meanwhile, the F-35 has a similar problem when talking to the F-22, because it also needs stealth, so it uses the Multifunctional Advanced Data Link (MADL). It was also supposed to be retroactively installed on the F-22, but was scrapped due to budget cuts.

Project Hydra aims to solve this communication bottleneck by using an Open Systems Gateway (OSG) payload mounted on the U-2 high-flying spy plane, which translates and transmits data between the F-22 and F-35, as well as with units on board. land via a Tactical Targeting Network Terminal (TTNT) link. Apart from that, it also transmits target tracks to each fighter aircraft's avionics and pilot displays.

For recent testing, data was sent to the US Army Integrated Combat Command System (IBCS) Airborne Sensor Adaptation Kit (A-Kit), which relayed data to the IBCS Tactical Systems Integration Laboratory (TSIL) in Fort Bliss, Texas, for supported a simulated Army firing exercise using the targeting data of five F-35s. Using the U-2, the six aircraft remain connected to each other and the global command and control unit even when they are out of line of sight of each other.

"Project Hydra marks the first time two-way communication has been established between 5th Generation aircraft in flight, as well as sharing operational data and sensors with ground operators for real-time capabilities," said Jeff Babione, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "This next level of connectivity reduces data-to-decision timelines by the minute, which is critical in battling today's adversaries and advanced threats."

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