Northrop Grumman's Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Enables Unprecedented Real-Time Distribution of F-22 Data to Legacy Aircraft
Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully accomplished the first-ever real-time download and distribution of sensor information from an F-22 Raptor fighter to F-15 and F-16 aircraft via an airborne network and an F-22-unique datalink. Northrop Grumman demonstrated this in-flight data transfer capability with its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) during the U.S. Air Force's Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 (JEFX-08).Downloading and distributing situational awareness data from the stealthy F-22's forward deployed positions leverages the Raptor's sensor capabilities as a force multiplier and as a future enabler for enhanced effects-based planning. BACN played a critical role in substantiating the operational utility and technical performance of Internet protocol-based airborne networking. 'BACN offers forward tactical operations with robust communications and critical applications to enhance mission operational effectiveness,' said Roger Fujii, vice president and general manager of the Network Communications Division for Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. 'We are pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate BACN's network-centric capabilities that enhance battlespace communications and intelligence sharing. Our success at JEFX-08 validates that this advantage can be quickly fielded to our warfighters.' |
