Forum: F-35 Avionics

Quote:

Boeing, US Navy Conduct Successful F/A-18E/F Satellite Communications Test.
June 13, 2012

Boeing ..and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed an in-flight demonstration of a satellite communications (SATCOM) system that, if implemented, will enable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews to conduct two-way, secure voice and data communications with other SATCOM-enabled aircraft, ships, ground forces and command centers.

The test took place May 23-30 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division's Advanced Weapons Lab at China Lake, Calif., and was conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31.

The SATCOM system was installed on a Navy EA-18G Growler -- a variant of the F/A-18F that includes a SATCOM antenna.

During the flight testing, the VX-31 aircrew conducted satellite-enabled secure voice and data transmissions with a "ground-based team" at China Lake and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

"Using the existing EA-18G architecture allowed Boeing and the Navy to demonstrate this capability less than 90 days after the initial request," [...]

Source: http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s ... ;item=2290

First and foremost!....the F-35C is "Not replacing Exclamation

" the Super Hornet F-18E/F/G ...... Now that said,... is the Sat Comm. function included in the JSF, at this time? Question

No doubt it could be added to the electronics but, I'm not aware of an existing JSF onboard antenna system other than maybe the AESA that might link a/c to satellite. Typical military systems are KU band spread spectrum in C-17, 130s, etc.

The JSF AN/APG-81 is provided by Northrup/ Grumman who is also developing B-??2 upgrades. Improvements being developed for B-??2 include ... a new Ku-??band active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, with the potential for extremely high ground resolution; and stealth-??compatible high-??rate satcoms systems. Idea

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neptune wrote:

... is the Sat Comm. function included in the JSF, at this time? Question

No doubt it could be added to the electronics but, I'm not aware of an existing JSF onboard antenna system other than maybe the AESA that might link a/c to satellite. Typical military systems are KU band spread spectrum in C-17, 130s, etc.

Yep, it's in there. Slap

Our friend J@ne'$ says "Northrop Grumman Radio Systems to provide next-generation CNI (communications, navigation and identification) avionics for F-35; package will include VHF/UHF radio, Have Quick I/II, SINCGARS/SIP, UHF SatCom, IFF/SIF transponder, ILS, MLS, ACLS, Tacan, intra-flight data link, Link 4A, Link 16/JTIDS and weapons data link."

Further at JFS.MIL = "The F-35 will have the most robust communications suite of any fighter aircraft built to date. The F-35 will be the first fighter to possess a satellite communications capability that integrates beyond line of sight communications throughout the spectrum of missions it is tasked to perform. "

So it sounds like, not only will the Lightning II's pilots be able to 'radio' over SATCOM, but their entire suite of avionics/sensors/systems will be able to utilize the same SATCOM capabilities.

Shrug

TEG

Come on; the US Army put ARC-210s in their UH-1H "Hueys" back in like 2004-05, you don't think the newest, most expensive, highest tech, multi-role, multi-service, international fighter program would skip that? I believe almost all the USAF combat coded aircraft have received this upgrade.

Last edited by spazsinbad on Jun 17, 2012 - 09:31 AM; edited 3 times in total

Here is a PPT Comms Graphic from 2009: https://www.ncoic.org/apps/group_public ... 5-09-a.ppt 14.5Mb and also available as a PDF in the 'Documents thread' here. There was a thread about 'Canadian Concerns about SATCOM for de ArCtic'. I should go look for it eh. Rolling Eyes

See this second page and first page: http://www.f-16.net/index.php?name=PNph ... p;p=206550

This same .PPT file seems to be available also as a PDF here:

https://www.ncoic.org/apps/group_public ... 090225.pdf (7.8Mb) graphic to follow... NOTE the SATCOM post SDD notation top right.

JSF Interoperability Initial Capabilities and Beyond 2009
J.T. Weigel F-35 Interoperability and Tom Jahner F-35 Improvements & Derivatives

IIRC, the hardware for the F-35's SATCOM is in nearly final and the space is reserved in the F-35 for everything including the antennas, BUT the software has been pushed back to Blk4 (1-3 years after IOC) so as to get IOC sooner.

This news caused quite a ruckus in Canada recently. The delay in SATCOM for Canada's needs is, as they say, "much to do about nothing". This is because Canada will not likely get their fist F-35 on Canadian soil til the 2019-2020 time frame. Add in a year or two before they start pulling CAP over the arctic (and well after Blk4 comes) and you can see why it's delay to Blk4 is a non-issue.

I have seen reports of the change in Blk plan for SATCOM going back to 2009.

Pardon my ignorance but the link in the OP sort of implies some new cqpability for SATCOMM.. hasn't this been available previously on legacy jets? Is it the support for both voice and data links that is new?

CANUKians may have an answer? There IS more FAQs on this website...

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/pri/2/pro- ... ng.asp#f35

"...Q3.15 When will the F-35 be capable of SATCOM?

A3.15 SATCOM is currently planned to be included in the Block 4 of the F-35 follow-on development program, currently scheduled in the 2020 timeframe. Canadian F-35As are therefore currently forecasted to be equipped with BLOS communication in time for Canada’s declaration of Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

Q3.16 Why was the installation of SATCOM in the F-35 intentionally delayed?

A3.16 Although originally intended to be included in earlier versions of the F-35, a conscious decision was made within the JSF Partnership to delay upgrading the F-35 with SATCOM until later in the program. The aim of this deferment was to await emerging satellite constellation/capability developments and the maturing of associated enabling technologies, and to thereby avoid the investment of funds into waning technologies/capabilities.

Q3.17 Can the F-35A communicate in the Arctic?

A3.17 Yes, the F-35A will be fully capable of communicating in the Arctic.

Recent reports concerning delays in the F-35’s SATCOM system has led to public misinformation, which has implied that a lack of SATCOM constitutes an inability to maintain communications in the Arctic.

The F-35 is capable of multiple alternate forms of communication, all of which contribute to maintaining reliable communications in the Arctic...."

A slight segue to a similar topic perhaps and it applies to F-35s....

Navy researchers tap Rockwell Collins to develop new high-throughput airborne tactical data link technology June 17, 2012 John Keller

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articl ... ology.html

"ARLINGTON, Va., 17 June 2012. U.S. Navy researchers are looking to military communications experts at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to investigate design approaches and technologies for a new military tactical data link that offers improved throughput, anti-jam capability, and low probability of intercept.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va., awarded Rockwell Collins a $16.2 million contract earlier this month for the Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) program, which seeks to overcome limitations in existing military data links such as Link-16, the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Cooperative Engagement Capability - Data Distribution System (CEC-DDS)....

...To fill current needs, Rockwell Collins engineers will develop the ATDL with auto-configuring and self-adapting networking with high data bandwidth and low latency communication for integrated sensing and cooperative integrated fire control.

Rockwell Collins experts will focus on cost-effective jam-resistance, wideband communications, and novel antenna techniques. New technologies eventually may be integrated aboard the Navy E-2D Hawkeye radar surveillance aircraft, the F/A-18G electronic warfare jet, the F-35 fighter-bomber, as well as on unmanned aircraft, ships, and the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)...."

Much Much More at the URL.

Quote:

Come on; the US Army put ARC-210s in their UH-1H "Hueys" back in like 2004-05

Source? Was in the Army at the time doing avionics and was not aware of this.

discofishing wrote:

Quote:

Come on; the US Army put ARC-210s in their UH-1H "Hueys" back in like 2004-05

Source? Was in the Army at the time doing avionics and was not aware of this.

Some of the "Google'd" ARC-210 contract documents listed the UH-1H and other Army/Marine Choppers. Was an $xxxM contract and had a list of aircraft. Document was dated 2004. Maybe they didn't see the Huey for a few years after?

Rockwell Collins has made over a Billion $$ on the ARC-210 from what I've gathered, pretty much a standard SATCOM system for all the US MIL aircraft. Remember all the Viper's upgrades... Nice little mod!

TEG

That_Engine_Guy wrote:

discofishing wrote:

Quote:

Come on; the US Army put ARC-210s in their UH-1H "Hueys" back in like 2004-05

Source? Was in the Army at the time doing avionics and was not aware of this.

Some of the "Google'd" ARC-210 contract documents listed the UH-1H and other Army/Marine Choppers. Was an $xxxM contract and had a list of aircraft. Document was dated 2004. Maybe they didn't see the Huey for a few years after?

Rockwell Collins has made over a Billion $$ on the ARC-210 from what I've gathered, pretty much a standard SATCOM system for all the US MIL aircraft. Remember all the Viper's upgrades... Nice little mod!

TEG

I got out in 2008 and only heard of plans to upgrade aircraft with SATCOM. The only thing I knew was that some UH-60s had them as they acted as CC/VIP birds for the brass. Everything else used ARC-220 HF for BLOS coms. I imagine things have changed since then as AH-64Ds and OH-58Ds are sporting this egg-beater antenna that I've never seen before (SATCOM antenna?). Never saw that antenna on a UH-1H, which I saw almost on a daily basis at Fort Hood.

popcorn wrote:

Pardon my ignorance but the link in the OP sort of implies some new cqpability for SATCOMM.. hasn't this been available previously on legacy jets? Is it the support for both voice and data links that is new?

"Boeing ..and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed an in-flight demonstration of a satellite communications (SATCOM) system that, if implemented, will enable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews to conduct two-way, secure voice and data communications with other SATCOM-enabled aircraft, ships, ground forces and command centers."...... "Boing!", give "Popcorn" a cigar! Exclamation

......the thing common to the S.H. Block II and the Growler are their Raytheon AN/APG-79 AESA radar Wink

. The SATCOM communications protocol and r.f. transmission techniques are employed on the AESA (79) and provide the direct (line-of-sight) link to the ship or ground station, etc., without "bouncing" off a satellite. This high bandwidth and powerful technique will be possible with all AESA equipped a/c including the A.F. models. Smile

P.S. SATCOM antennas are not required! Shocked

Forum: F-35 Avionics

F-35 Sat Communication