Thread by @Doha104p3

The F-35's datalink capabilities (1/18) 🧵

The F-35 has 2 primary data links. They are Link 16 and MADL. I'll go over the general stuff and focus more on MADL here since people are kinda familiar with Link 16. + some extra stuff

Both Link 16 and MADL are 2 major parts of Northrop's ASQ-242 integrated Communication, Navigation, and Identification system (CNI). CNI was designed to give F-35 advanced communication capabilities, and in total, it includes more than 27 functionalities.

Link 16 is the standard datalink for NATO. it operates in the UHF spectrum and uses omni/multi-directional UHF radios to transmit things. Those things can be imageries, tracks of airborne targets, messages, etc. When communicating or sharing things with 4th gen aircraft, AWACS,

or most assets, the F-35 will use Link 16. It's good and reliable but has downsides such as slow speed, uses UHF frequencies (kind of an old technique for data transmission), more susceptible to jamming (compared to MADL), limited output, and higher probability of detection/int

Then there's the F-35's own unique datalink called the MADL

MADL is a low probability of intercept/detection (LPI/D) datalink that operates in Ku-band (12–18GHz IEEE definition) & utilizes more modern communication tech. It was designed for F-35 to communicate with each other

Unlike the omni directional Link 16, MADL shares data in tight, laser like, narrow direction with high bandwidth. This makes MADL much harder to detect/jam while allowing a much higher volume of data to be transferred.

The full capabilities are unknown, but essentially, it does all the main/key things that Link 16 does but more, better, and faster.

A total of 6 MADL antennas can be seen around the aircraft, and together, they provides spherical coverage.

F-35 multiship communication (data sharing/communication between a flight of 4-6 aircraft):

MADL can also be used by the EW suite (Barracuda) to do EW together with other F-35's

MADL was originally designed for F-35 to communicate w each other, but it can also be used to send data to some other assets. Similar to Link 16, MADL can be used to provide detection/track/targeting data to baseline 9 AEGIS equipped warship that have MADL antenna attached.

This allows AEGIS equipped warships to shoot down targets, including the ones at over the horizon using SM-6 while relying on data from the F-35's sensors. This capability has been tested in the past, including once in 2016.
(Target shown below is the Beechcraft MQM-107).

The Army's Intergrated Battle Command System (IBCS) will also have a terminal to communicate with F-35. This has been proven in testing before where data gathered by the F-35 was shared via MADL. Not just any data, but weapons quality track/fire control magnitude of data

I'm sure you've seen articles or headlines saying the F-35 and F-22 can't directly communicate with each other. That's because the F-22 also has its own unique datalink called Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL). IFDL operates in Q band. The F-22 was supposed to receive MADL, but

mainly because of the cost and the tech being new, it was dropped. So, in order for the F-35 and 22 to communicate w each other using MADL/IFDL, they'd need another aircraft. For example, U-2 with Open Systems Gateway (Project Hydra) or RQ-4 carrying Freedom 550 radio

The F-22 always had a Link 16 receiving terminal, so sharing data to the F-22 wasn't a problem, but receiving from it have been (for any other aircraft that's not an F-22). The F-22 was supposed to receive full Link 16 capability as part of the TAC-Link program, so that'll

allow the Raptor to finally directly communicate with 4th gen, F-35, AWACS, and other assets using Link 16.

Another aircraft that was supposed to receive the MADL is the B-2. Couldn't find anything about whether it received it or not, but there's a good chance it didn't for cost or whatever reason.
MADL also has downsides, major ones being that it's not widely used, nor does other

aircraft besides F-35 and those specialised gateway aircraft use it. And the antennas aren't really cheap.

As part of F-35's Block 4 upgrade (some 88 new/improved capabilities), both Link 16 and MADL will see upgrades.
(This is a few years old and shows 53 of the upgrades)