F-22 and F-35 Aircraft Finally Talk Stealth to Each Other, U-2 Spy Plane Helps 4 May 2021, 8:47 UTC ·
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The latest flight test, dubbed Project Hydra, used an Open Systems Gateway (OSG) payload aboard the U-2 to link an F-22 to five F-35s through an Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) and a Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL). The demonstration made it possible to exchange data in free flight between all aircraft and ground nodes.
The Airforce has been trying over the years to develop a new technology that could make this type of communication possible. Up until recently, the F-22 couldn t transmit stealthy data to any aircraft besides other F-22s. The F-35s also couldn t communicate with the F-22s except at the voice level. All because each aircraft used different Low Probability of Interception (LPD/LPI) communications.
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The two fifth-generation fighters have different communications links, so until now, they couldn actually “talking” to one another.
The U-2’s role will eventually be taken over by high-flying drones.
One of the oldest airplanes in the U.S. Air Force has picked up a critical new mission: serve as a flying translator for two of the youngest planes.
Although the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are among the most advanced fighter jets in the world, they have two different communications systems, which means they can’t communicate with each other. That’s why they need a third plane the U-2 “Dragon Lady” spy plane to help facilitate the conversation.
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Project Hydra
In a first, the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 and F-22 stealth jets were able to exchange data freely in flight via a U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane.
Today, Lockheed Martin said the company along with the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency managed to link a U-2, five F-35s and an F-22 in air and provided real-time 5th Generation data to operators on the ground.
Named Project Hydra, the latest flight test leveraged an Open Systems Gateway (OSG) payload aboard the U-2 to connect an F-22 to five F-35s via native Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) and Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), successfully sharing data between all airborne aircraft and with nodes on the ground. The target tracks were also transmitted by and through the U-2 into the fighter avionics and pilot displays.
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Air Force officials say the stealthy-looking Valkyrie could be configured for both surveillance and attack missions.
Here s What You Need To Remember: The aircraft already coordinate with drones to some extent - but the key difference is that, for the first time, they can be controlled through the aircraft itself, rather than relaying instructions through ground crews.
The U.S. Air Force’s “loyal wingman” plan for piloted fighter jets to control nearby drones took a large step forward recently. On December 9, a rocket-launched Valkyrie drone took off with an F-22 and F-35 together, a maneuver laying the groundwork for the fast-approaching day when fifth-generation stealth aircraft can control groups of nearby drones from the cockpit.