F-35 Tech Can Stop Enemy Intel Gather Attempt

by Kris Osborn

In place designed to prevent potential enemies from obtaining information about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter when it may fly near dangerous or “contested” air space.

It is indeed quite reasonable to assume that potential US adversaries would like to acquire information about the F-35, including its stealth configuration, maneuverability, sensors, weapons and computer technology.

This question is of particular relevance given the recent deployment of F-35s to Europe for training exercises with European allies. While some of the exercises involved sharing data and practicing combat maneuvers with allies in the region, the scope and precise geography of the deployments were not openly discussed, for security reasons.

At the same time, given current US tensions with Russia, the recent deployments naturally raise the question as to whether adversaries have the ability to use air defenses, radar and sensors to obtain information about the F-35 should it come within range of their technical range.

“We have proper procedures to make sure we can fly the airplanes in places where we want to and that people cannot collect information off the F-35,” Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, Director of the F-35 Integration Office, told reporters.

“Most of this is classified,” Pleus added.

At the same time, the Russian military is known to have some of the most technically advanced and capable air defense systems in the world, such as the S-300, S-400 and emerging longer-range S-500.