Aegis Combat System

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the Aegis Combat System have successfully demonstrated during a live fire exercise the integration and capabilities of the combined Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA).

During the September 12 test at the White Sands Missile Range, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B acting as an elevated sensor detected an airborne threat over-the-horizon.  The threat data was then sent to a Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ground station through the aircraft’s Multi-Function Advanced Data Link (MADL) connected to the Aegis Weapon System on the USS Desert Ship (LLS-1), a land-based ship. An SM-6 was then fired and subsequently engaged and intercepted the target.  The F-35 was able to destroy an airborne adversary without firing a single shot of its own.

The test proves the F-35 can enter a heavily contested enemy airspace using its stealth technology, detect threats and have them destroyed by a missile fired from land forces or a naval destroyer without firing a shot and risking giving up its position.

This coordinated attack method will allow the SM-6 to shoot at targets before the Aegis radar can see them.  The SM-6 effective range can be extended using the highly mobile sensor. This only scratches the surface of the potential war fighting capabilities F-35 aircraft will ultimately enable across our military forces.

Lockheed Martin F-35B

Lockheed Martin