The MADLs on each aircraft handshake as the network is being established. Once the handshake is complete, the MADL on each airplane keeps track of its assigned sister MADL nodes in the network. The MADLs compensate for airplane maneuvers using the airplane’s inertial reference system to assure the narrow L-band beam stays pointed at its assigned sister nodes. The beam is a cone with an apex angle of several degrees — MADL employs square arrays so it can steer beams in azimuth and elevation (unlike the SU linear array). The beam is agile in frequency, power and waveform so it would appear as noise to a RWR. If a network link is broken (MADL lock is lost), the pilots can manually command the MADLs to reacquire.

Very good explanation. If MADL is lost and fellow F-35s or F-22s are within WVR range, the F-35 can reestablish MADL using an EODAS track as a reference. The F-35 can also use SATCOM as a backup to reacquire the appropriate network connections.

The FY2011 USAF budget on page 77 from here:

The FY2010 appropriation of $2.5B “for the procurement of ten C-17 aircraft, associated spares, support equipment and training equipment as required” is not sufficient for this requirement. Shortfall estimated at $530M.

According to what is being written these days, F-35’s RCS is hardly VLO (of course it depends on what you compare it to)..

Written by whom?

All those “in the know” have always said “VLO”.

Anything else is pure speculation.

Supercruising was never part of the JSF requirement list.

The definitive 5th Gen requirement in VLO RCS.

My bad, I thought that the F-15SE’s internal bay could handle the NSM/JSM, but it can only do a 1000lb JDAM, not a 2000lb JDAM (same size as NSM).

Norway is making the NSM (a 1000lb class stealth anti-ship missile) that will fit into the internal bay of the F-22 and still carry the internal AMRAAM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Strike_Missile

TooCool,

Your once again assuming the PAK FA does everything right and the F-35 does everything wrong.

Real life does not work that way.

For instance:

1. The F-35 does not have to go active. The GCI will provide the basic location of the PAK FA fighters. The F-35 can then use it’s IRST to obtain the lock and launch the AIM-120D.

2. You assume that there is not a flight of F-35s in the air already or that they will only fly straight from the base.

3. You assume that there will only be one flight of F-35s in the air. In your scenario of a turning PAK FA flight, it may turn right into the path of approaching F-35s.

4. The F-35s can afford to use more fuel than the PAK FA due to it being on the defense and closer to it’s own airfields. Fuel will not be a problem for the F-35s.