The UK and coalition partners’ F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft have participated in interoperability trials with other military platforms across land, sea and air.

The trials are part of a series of simulation exercises that link simulation facilities from multiple locations across the UK as a way of creating a common synthetic environment to evaluate F-35 interoperability with other UK platforms.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Furthermore, the tests aimed to progressively evaluate the interoperability of the F-35 with command and control (C2) platforms, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, in addition to combat assets. This will help to identify issues, as well as fix and re-test the aircraft ahead of initial operating capability (IOC).

BAE Systems F-35 interoperability trials programme manager Tony Hall said: “We are working towards establishing an IOC interoperability baseline for the UK and F-35 partner nations, helping them to develop a Coalition Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and common tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP).”

"We are working towards establishing an IOC interoperability baseline for the UK and F-35 partner nations."

In a simulated mission scenario, pilots from the UK Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Italy, and the Netherlands operated the F-35s from Lockheed Martin-supplied desktop simulators at BAE Systems’ site in Samlesbury, UK.

As part of the trials, the F-35 pilots conducted digitally aided close air support (DACAS) missions using the variable message format (VMF) data link.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The trials also saw collaboration between a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC), a simulated Air Support Operations Centre (ASOC), and two Royal Navy Sea King aircrew.

Later this year, the interoperability between the F-35 and Italian naval and airborne platforms will be evaluated and will see the linking of simulation facilities from multiple UK and Italian locations.

Image: An F-35 Lightning II during trials. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.