The U.S. Air Force is moving ahead to design, purchase and install a communications gateway on the KC-46 that will allow the F-22’s Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL) and F-35’s Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) to share data in a bi-directional manner.
At the recently concluded exercise Northern Edge 21, the U.S. Air Force was able to utilized the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) on the F-15E to allow the F-35A to approach closer to the enemy without having to turn on its radar or electronic attack transmitters.
F-35 PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 4 An F-35 Lightning II from the 53rd Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., taxis on a runway at exercise Northern Edge 21. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members participated in the joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Savanah Bray)