Multifunction Advanced Data Link
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 (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 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.
Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) is a fast switching narrow directional communications data link between stealth aircraft.[1] 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 Antenna Assemblies (AAAs) that send and receive tightly directed radio signals.[2] MADL uses the Ku band.[3]
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 [4]supported that can provide the same capabilities as MADL while maintaining interoperability.
The MADL could be used beyond a four-ship flight.[5]
Platforms
[edit]- The F-22 Raptor MADL upgrade was cancelled in 2010[6]
- The F-35 Lightning II has 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.[7][8]
- E-7A Wedgetail[9]
See also
[edit]- Global Information Grid
- Link 16
- Multifunctional Information Distribution System
- Network-centric warfare
References
[edit]- ^ Modelling radio propagation and contention in emulated defence networks, MilCIS, 8–10 November 2011, by M. Britton and A. Coyle.
- ^ Harris Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) Archived 2009-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Israel, U.S. Agree To $450 Million In F-35 EW Work." Av Week, 6 August 2012.
- ^ "The F-22 and the F-35 Are Struggling to Talk to Each Other ... And to the Rest of USAF". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ " "F-35 Flight Test Update 11 | Code One Magazine".
- ^ http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/03/air-force-raptor-madl-upgrade-033111w/ [dead link]
- ^ LaGrone, Sam (13 September 2016). "Successful F-35, SM-6 Live Fire Test Points to Expansion in Networked Naval Warfare". news.usni.org. USNI News. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Seligman, Lara (24 November 2016). "How F-35 Is Transforming U.S. Marine Corps Strike Operations". aviationweek.com. Penton. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ Rogoway, Tyler (5 July 2020). "Australia Set To Become One Of The World's Top Aerial Electronic Warfare Powers". The War Zone. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
External links
[edit]- Sweetman, Bill (2007-12-11). "F-22 and F-35 Suffer From Network Gaps". Aviation Week. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-01-11.
- Paone, Chuck (2009-04-09). "Center team works to connect new fighters, bomber". United States Air Force.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - Reed, John (2008-11-07). "To ensure increased combat effectiveness..." The Integrator. U.S. 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- Paone, Chuck (2009-04-07). "AFMC team works to improve communication between new fighters, bomber". U.S. Air Force Materiel Command. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
- Paone, Chuck (2009-02-17). "Airborne networking team works to meet challenges". U.S. Air Force Materiel Command. Archived from the original on 2009-02-25. Retrieved 2009-08-07.