Multi-domain, airborne sensor capability tested by Lockheed Martin
NewsJanuary 22, 2020
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. Two U.S. Air Force F-35s were integrated with the U.S. Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), providing an airborne sensor capability to detect, track, and intercept near simultaneous air-breathing threats. The test marked the first time F-35s were used as sensors during an IBCS live fire test against multiple airborne targets.
According to officials in attendance, linking F-35s to IBCS via the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) provided enhanced situational awareness and weapons-quality track data to engage airborne targets.
The proof of concept demonstration used experimental equipment developed by Lockheed Martin, including the Harvest Lightning Ground Station and IBCS adaptation kit (A-Kit).
"This demonstrates a tremendous capability to defeat threats that are terrain masked or beyond ground-based sensor detection capabilities due to terrain and curvature of the earth,” said Jay Pitman, vice president, Lower Tier Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
