The Royal Air Force (RAF) and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works have achieved what they call a significant milestone in multi-domain operations with Project DEIMOS, according to a press release.
This live-fly demonstration marked the first time an F-35 shared classified data in real-time with a non-U.S. Command and Control (C2) system, utilising open systems technology.
The exercise involved an F-35 flying from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas facility, transmitting classified data via a Skunk Works Open Systems Gateway (OSG) through commercial satellite communications.
The data was successfully ingested into the RAF’s NEXUS C2 system at the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) lab in Farnborough, UK.
“Project DEIMOS was a hugely successful U.K./U.S. trial which clearly demonstrated the ability to take data from a live F-35 and pass this to the RAF’s NEXUS platform for exploitation,” said Air Commodore Chris Melville, head of the RAF RCO. “This represents a key step forward towards both a future integrated battlespace and Air Command and Control environment.”
John Clark, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, described the trial as a breakthrough:
“This exercise marks a breakthrough in multi-domain operations, demonstrating the F-35’s ability to share classified data via an open systems gateway with our international partners. We collaborated closely with the U.K. Ministry of Defence and industry to achieve this feat, highlighting the power of partnership in driving innovation.”
The success of Project DEIMOS reflects the RAF RCO’s approach to rapid innovation, working closely with industry partners Lockheed Martin and SiXWorks. Melville noted the importance of collaboration in driving efficiency and capability development:
“The RAF Rapid Capabilities Office, working in partnership with both Lockheed Martin and SiXWorks, has proven how collaborative working with key industry partners can quickly and efficiently drive both innovation and future capability. We are all delighted with the results.”
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Wow, next we should get the rapid capabilities office to put Meteor on F35B. 😀
Perhaps in concert w/ Block 4 software integration? 😉
Now, cut out the middleman. Direct from UK F35 to UK satellites and C2 infrastructure. No passing through either US military C2 systems or US defence companies servers etc….
This new system is just a software bridge between US C2 systems and the RAF Nexus system. You can be damned sure that there will be US control of what leaves their C2 system through this bridge. Only when the F-35 can talk directly to UK C2 systems will we have full operational control of the data.
Only then will the F35 be a truly national asset.
Yes considering Trump pretty much gave Canada the choice of massively cracking down on immigration or alternatively become a 51st State when he met Truedeau, one can only imagine what offers ‘we can’t refuse’ he will offer us at any given opportunity. Imagine a Russian attack or conflict involving Western Europe and how he would see it as a black mailing business opportunity, it was bad enough in the 40s when there were relatively civilised politicians running affairs. Like back then despite Ukraine saving US lives and interests they will at best have to sell their Country by the pound to keep getting weapons, even old ones already slated for disposal.
The fur may truly fly when The Donald proclaims the new floor for NATO defence expenditures will be 2.5% or even 3% of GDP, on an expedited basis. Lest anyone question this possibility, DT has already publicly announced the same target. He may cast this as necessary tough love for the alliance Although personally an advocate for consensus in NATO matters, admit to the prospect of enjoying the sheer entertainment value of this measure, particularly when the Canadians, French, Germans, Italians and Spanish are apprised of this revised goal. You absolutely know they will entertain thoughts of The Donald having conjugal relations w/ himself, but will not state this publicly. 😂😁😉
What data? ALIS will still be LM proprietary software unless you want to do wheat the Israelis have done a pond cut it out but then you loose most of the benefit of being in the F35 program.
Begs the question how they expect Tempest to communicate with F35s if the US has ultimate control of the data transfer. As others have indicated, the U.K. needs to be in the full control of data transmitted from RAF F35.
Methinks we should be working with the French/Germans, not to mention our own partners to make sure our F-35s and Tempest can independently do this with their assets. Not sure I want to rely on Musk either in providing any sattelite aspect of this, will probably demand a Reform Govt led by his mate Quisling, sorry Farage running things to his liking.
Why would we want to work with the French and the Germans, the Germans will demand work share in exchange for orders that never materialize, the French will behave as they always do. The product will be a compromise, that has limited interoperability with international partners (ones that actually matter) like US CAN OZ Japan etc. As for Ukraine, it’s a continental problem, if they want to fight, go fight, as long as we don’t send one Brit, happy to sell them munitions though.
Only F35’s can fully communicate with others F35’s
It’s the same for F22’s
For everything else there is Link 16
The UK is militarily in a good position to bargain with the US.
What! I know we are very weak in certain areas but, there are some which are very important to the US military, where our input is rather valuable.
Who do you want to bargin with?
The US military does not control all the data systems in F35 or have full access to the code, much the same issue as we have. ALIS is LM proprietary software and they own all the data, everyone except Israel uses ALIS.
This is much of the famous code issue that is blown up stating the UK does not have full access to the source code. It’s doesn’t but neither does the USA, Israel has it because it disables ALIS and uses its own inferior system.
Shame they still can’t get our 21st century weapons integrated though…