Exercise Yellow Sands, a significant multinational training event, saw British Typhoon jets join U.S. forces in a large-scale operation aimed at refining responses to unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) and enhancing Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capabilities.
Conducted in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the exercise brought together a range of regional allies and partners, focusing on improving interoperability and communications in countering aerial threats.
The exercise, part of the U.S. Air Forces Central’s Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense program, was designed to strengthen the collective defence of the Arabian Peninsula. British Typhoon jets played a key role alongside U.S. forces, with an E-11A aircraft facilitating the integration of communication systems through its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN).
The E-11A plays a vital role in achieving the exercise’s objectives by serving as a communications bridge, seamlessly connecting the diverse systems used by coalition partners.
“The E-11A is a Bombardier aircraft outfitted with the BACN.” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Giovanni Allevato, 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron E-11A elevator pilot.
“This payload enables communication relay through the bridging of voice and data system gateways, allowing for real-time and a seamlessly transparent intraoperative flow of communication for warfighters.”
This system bridges diverse networks, enabling real-time communication and enhancing the effectiveness of joint operations.
The exercise allowed participating forces to sharpen their counter-air and missile strategies, ensuring stronger protection for the Middle East’s airspace and demonstrating the effectiveness of coalition operations.
BACN in the Arabian Peninsula.
Don’t tell the IDF! 🌞
Really cool pic.