By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
(Fort Worth, Texas) The F-35 is famous for its often-discussed Mission Data Files, an advanced computer threat library which bounces new incoming sensor data off of an extensive, specific threat-data base. Should a sensor encounter a Chinese J-20 for example, or a Russian Su-57, the aircraft’s onboard computer will instantly be able to identify and “verify” the target for pilots in need of launching a rapid attack. The US Air Force consistently updates and upgrades the threat library, much of which is specific to geographical threat areas around different theaters of operation.
“The Mission data files are the library in the aircraft, populated by each country with information they have received over the years. We want all of the aircraft in any theater to be working within a common data file,” JR McDonald, Vice President, F-35 International Sales, Lockheed Martin, told Warrior in an interview on the F-35 production line in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Now, while each F-35 has its own threat library or Mission Data Files, each F-35 member country operates with a specific version of its own “national” threat library compilation. With data bases from F-35 libraries slightly different, pilots from different member-countries could struggle to verify targets and pass precise threat information in some cases as they may not operate from the same database. For this reason, weapons developers, political leaders and military leaders are working diligently to craft a single “common data base” for all F-35 member nation’s to use, according to experts familiar with the process.
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This new common data base will incorporate precise, accurate and common information for all F-35 fighters, something which better enables target-sharing, collaborative attack and in-flight intelligence gathering. Each countries respective Mission Data Files are slightly different and tailored to each countries individual “threat-determined” needs. While much of the information is of course common, a single collective, unified “common data file” is necessary for all F-35 member nations to operate with. These efforts are underway, and weapons developers explain the technology has matured to the point wherein a single, common threat library for all F-35s can be created and integrated into member-country aircraft. However, despite the technological possibilities, existing policy determinations between F-35 member nations need to catch up with the progress of the technology to enable rapid implementation of a common system. The common system will of course incorporate some elements from all countries, as it will not be identical to each countries’ individual library. One single Common Data File will be engineered with advanced computing and distributed across the multinational F-35 force.
” It’s (Common Data Files) going to take time and some agreements between countries before we can put together a single common Mission Data File, but we are seeing experimentation and there was an exercise up in the Arctic, so we know we are heading in that direction,” JR McDonald said.
As is the case with most Mission Data Files updates and upgrades, the Common Data Files will likely require software upgrades and computer system adjustments. With the large number of countries now joining the family of F-35 nations in recent years, there would appear to be a significant tactical advantage associated with having a NATO-wide Common Data Files.
Kris Osborn is President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
