I have a friend who told me that the F-35 does not have the capability to communicate with the F-22 Stealth Fighter. Is this true?

2017-09-09T18:52:18-04:00

Link-16 is what I have been told NATO aircraft can communicate on a secure basis with the USAF aircraft as well. I can't believe that the F-22 and the F-35 can't communicate securely either. I am using Rallypoint members as a defacto Snopes.com so please help me out? I hope it is just a rumor. I am Army guy that loves aviation!

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Sep 9 at 2017 7:05 PM

2017-09-09T19:05:43-04:00

The Air Force in March said the JSF wasn't supposed to communicate with the others.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2017 7:10 PM

2017-09-09T19:10:06-04:00

F22 IFDL can't talk to F35 NATO Link-16 - Northrop publicly offers to send drones along to relay and translate. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/08/23/northrops-fix-for-f-35-and-f-22-communications-problems-involves-global-hawk-uavs/

Northrop’s fix for F-35 and F-22 communications problem involves Global Hawk drones

Northrop Grumman has a pitch to solve communications problems between the F-35 and F-22.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Sep 9 at 2017 8:08 PM

2017-09-09T20:08:20-04:00

isnt that the job of aircraft traffic control? or some kind of command center?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 9 at 2017 9:51 PM

2017-09-09T21:51:29-04:00

Based on my experience, both aircraft have more than one radio. They could probably communicate in the clear (unencrypted). It may be largely irrelevant. Fighter usually fly in flights of the same types of aircraft. They communicate with airborne or ground based controllers. They also need to communicate with Air refueling aircraft. The ability to talk securely to aircraft of other types and flying different missions may not be a major problem.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 4 at 2019 7:19 AM

2019-04-04T07:19:02-04:00

I’m a aerial fan also.. let’s say we give them a benefit of the doubt.. maybe it’s a purposeful rumor to fool the enemy.. a ruse.. We’ll let it go with that..