Jay Clemens
Northrop Grumman has connected a fifth-generation F-22 Raptor to a fourth-generation F-18 Hornet through the company’s gateway radio terminal during a Lockheed Martin-led flight test.
Northrop used the Freedom 550 terminal as a communication gateway between the F-22 and F-18, both of which use disparate data link platforms, the company said Wednesday.
On board the Lockheed Martin U-2 Dragon Lady, Freedom 550 integrated with all open mission systems on the platform as the terminal provided connection to the F-22 during the test at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
“The OMS standard enabled significant reuse of capabilities previously developed with the working group,” said Jeannie Hilger, vice president and general manager of communications division at Northrop Grumman Information Systems.
Northrop Grumman developed the gateway under the Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration program.
