Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a fast switching narrow directional communications
data link between stealth aircraft. It began as a method to coordinate between F-35 aircraft (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 theory, a phased array usually means an electronically scanned array, a computer-controlled array of antennas which creates a beam of radio waves that can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving th ...
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 german: Kurz-unten), because it is the lower part of the ori ...
.
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 4 ship flight.
Platforms
*The
F-22 MADL upgrade was cancelled in 2010
*The
F-35 will have MADL built in
*
B-2 Spirit
*US Navy surface combatants with Baseline 9
Aegis Combat System can take targeting data from F-35s via MADL.
See also
*
Global Information Grid
*
Network-centric warfare
*
Link 16
*
Multifunctional Information Distribution System
References
External links
*
*
*
*
* {{cite web
, url = http://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story.asp?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 = dead
Military radio systems of the United States