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

data link A data link is the means of 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 transmitter and a recei ...

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 Antenna Assemblies (AAAs) that send and receive tightly directed radio signals. MADL uses the Ku band. 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 Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by NATO and nations allowed by the MIDS International Program Office (IPO). Its specification is part of the family of Tactical Data Links. With Link 16, military aircraft as well as ship ...

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 The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is an American single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). As the result of the USAF's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, the ...

MADL upgrade was cancelled in 2010 *The

F-35 The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions. It is also able to provide elect ...

will have MADL built in *

B-2 Spirit The Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy strategic bomber, featuring low-observable stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses. A subsonic flying ...

*US Navy surface combatants with Baseline 9

Aegis Combat System The Aegis Combat System is an American integrated naval weapons system developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and it is now produced by Lockheed Martin. Initially used by the United States Navy, Aegis is now used also by ...

can take targeting data from F-35s via MADL.

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

Platforms

See also

References

External links