Comments on: Fixing the Raptor

By: JCain

JCain — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:52:11 +0000

Hell. Come on now. With potential changing of the guard in the White House and the recent elected official changes on Capital Hill, this is where the Defense Contractors (BIG TIME BUCKS) pull the almighty trump card. Add ons. No budgetary cuts can be allowed to hinder the “world’s most advanced jet fighter.” Not with National Security at risk.

By: Natalie~

Natalie~ — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:07:47 +0000

What AvBizWiz says below is absolutely correct.
It sounds to me like the author of this particular article is trying desperately to justify the cost of his $1,800 per yr “Aerospace Daily & Defense Report” subscription by posting information without adequate background context.
Please also bear in mind that the Raptor is a STEALTH aircraft and any emissions from it could concievably give away it’s position — therefore is it perfectly reasonable that the Raptor is weak in the area of sharing information on the battlefield.
The real news here is that a “fix” that is effective on a stealth aircraft in a battle enviroment is coming and that is a very positive thing, not fodder from which to write a scathing report on the F-22.

By: AvBizWiz

AvBizWiz — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 15:43:04 +0000

That “nearly telepathic” system is actually the intraflight data link (IFDL), which is basically an onboard wideband data modem that allows F-22 pilots to exchange data with their wingman. The IFDL is a transmission with a low-probability of intercept, so the hope is that the emission doesn’t give away the F-22’s position.
But the IFDL doesn’t allow the F-22 to communicate with any other aircraft in the sky, so it doesn’t help anyone outside the fighter-jock circle.
That’s why they’re thinking about installing the Tactical Targeting Network Technology on the aircraft.
Alternatively, perhaps, the air force is also hooking the F-22’s IFDL into the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, which is a payload being installed on a Gulfstream jet that can act as a gateway to other airborne communications networks, such as Link 16 (air force) and Link 11 (navy). It could even allow the F-22 to receive text messages from a guy on the ground with a regular cellular phone.
Hope that helps.

By: Mr Shep

Mr Shep — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 10:43:37 +0000

yeah this dosnt seem correct, i too have read articles discribing the alomost non existant radio traffic between raptors on exercise. theres something not quite adding up here, be interesting to hear more on this matter.….

By: Moose

Moose — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 05:37:30 +0000

Is this to all fighters or just non-Raptors? I’m curious because I recall an article that claimed “nearly telepathic communication” between F-22 pilots due to their pooled sensor/targeting data.