Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) have demonstrated the first live, classified data sharing outside the United States between an F-35 in flight and Keystone, a Dutch Command and Control environment at Ramstein Flag, Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) exercise.
In this real-time flight exercise, Dutch F-35 fighters successfully detected, identified and transmitted simulated ground target data via Multifunction Advanced Datalink, via a Skunk Works Open Systems Gateway (OSG), to Keystone. Keystone then transmitted the data to a rocket artillery platform, which engaged a ground target and confirmed a successful kill, effectively closing the loop. This entire process was executed from start to finish in a matter of minutes. This is a significant first step forward in multi-domain integration, proving the F-35’s interoperability among multiple allied nations in real time.
By unlocking the vast amount of data from an F-35, Skunk Works OSG enables allied air and missile defense systems to receive precise targeting information, enabling them to more effectively detect, track and defeat threats. This increased situational awareness and interoperability empowers t forces to respond more quickly and decisively, ultimately strengthening the collective defense of partners and allies.
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