Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a fast switching narrow directional communications

data link A data link is a means of telecommunications link, connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving digital information (data communication). It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a t ...

between

stealth aircraft Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection using a variety of technologies that reduce reflection/emission of radar, infrared, visible light, radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and audio, collectively known as stealth technology. The F-117 Ni ...

. It began as a method to coordinate between F-35 (the Joint Strike Fighter), but HQ Air Combat Command wants to expand the capability to coordinate future USAF strike forces of all AF stealth aircraft, including the B-2, F-22, and unmanned systems. MADL is expected to provide needed throughput, latency, frequency-hopping and anti-jamming capability with

phased Array In antenna (radio), antenna theory, a phased array usually means an electronically scanned array, a computer-controlled Antenna array, array of antennas which creates a radio beam, beam of radio waves that can be electronically steered to point ...

Antenna Assemblies (AAAs) that send and receive tightly directed radio signals. MADL uses the

Ku band The Ku band () is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies from 12 to 18 gigahertz (GHz). The symbol is short for "K-under" (originally ), because it is the lower part of the original NATO K ban ...

. The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics directed the Air Force and Navy to integrate MADL among the F-22, F-35 and B-2, to one another and to the rest of network. As of 2010, the Air Force has canceled upgrade plans for the F-22 to receive MADL citing technology maturity risks. Critics contend that since Link 16 is the standard by which U.S. and Allied aircraft communicate, upgrades to Link-16 radios should be supported that can provide the same capabilities as MADL while maintaining interoperability. The MADL could be used beyond a four-ship flight.

Platforms

*The

F-22 Raptor The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is an American twin-engine, jet-powered, all-weather, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft. As a product of the United States Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the aircraft was de ...

MADL upgrade was cancelled in 2010 *The

F-35 Lightning II The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, supersonic Stealth aircraft, stealth strike fighters. A multirole combat aircraft designed for both Air superiority fighter, air superiority and att ...

has MADL built in *

B-2 Spirit The Northrop B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American Heavy bomber, heavy strategic bomber, featuring low-observable stealth aircraft, stealth technology designed to penetrator (aircraft), penetrate dense anti-aircraft war ...

*US Navy surface combatants with Baseline 9 Aegis Combat System can take targeting data from F-35s via MADL. * E-7A Wedgetail

References

External links

* * * * * {{cite web , url = https://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story?id=123135783 , title = Airborne networking team works to meet challenges , first = Chuck , last = Paone , date = 2009-02-17 , publisher = U.S. Air Force Materiel Command , access-date = 2009-08-07 , archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090225235911/http://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123135783 , archive-date = 2009-02-25 , url-status = live Military radio systems of the United States

Platforms

See also

References

External links