ITALIAN F-35A LIGHTNING II MILITARY
http://www.airinternational.com | 45Colonel Marzinotto also described
the F-35 not as a standalone weapon
system, but one that can exchange data,
information and images with other assets,
and one that can do so in a variety of
ways. Like all modern aircraft, the F-35 is
equipped with a Link 16 data link system,
which enables it to exchange data with
other platforms, such as [in the Italian
context] the F-2000, Tornado, AMX, T-346,
E-550 and P-72, working in synergy with
them. It can also link with land-based
forces, thanks to data transmission via the
variable message format system, which, for
example, enables digital-aided CAS [close
air support]. Nevertheless, Link 16 is a dated
system, which despite continuous upgrades
remains less secure, less powerful and more
open to interception than more modern
systems. On the contrary, the F-35 is
equipped with the Multifunction Advanced
Data Link [MADL] system, which enables it to
dialogue in a fast and secure way with other
F-35s, thanks to an advanced directional
wide-band system, which the US Air Force
intends to extend to all its stealth aircraft,
including the B-2 bomber. In a real critical
situation, in non-permissive environments
and in those where the real or potential
enemy threat is highly capable, the F-35 can
thus avoid using the Link 16 system, and by
using the MADL can e ectively continue its
mission as planned, while at the same time
maintaining its stealth capability.
As Col Marzinotto a rmed: “The F-35
delivers technological excellence, but also
has a big strategic impact as a major player in
information superiority”.ALIS
One aspect that has attracted criticism
and created arguments in the programme
is technical and logistical support to the
fl eet provided by the Autonomic Logistic
Information System (ALIS). This revolutionary
support system, which involves the entire
worldwide F-35 fl eet, has been criticised
from many sides in the past. It has been
considered as too invasive, providing
Lockheed Martin with too much sensitive
data, especially in terms of operational use
and missions performed, thus placing a limit
on the security and national sovereignty of
the weapon system.
Colonel Marzinotto explained how the F-35
JPO has representatives from each partner
nation assigned that manage the relationship
with Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors,
which form the support system throughout
the world. He said: “Lockheed Martin does
what the governments participating in the
partnership decide what it must do.”
In practical terms, the ALIS is an integrated
network that connects all the operators
of the aircraft. Through a network of data
communications, each user, each home
base and every single aircraft is constantly
linked to Lockheed Martin, which collects
technical data from each aircraft with the
aim of monitoring the state of its parts
and components, preventing malfunctionsor failures (prognostic), constructing a
detailed database of any technical problems
and their resolution, and planning the
spares stock held by the depots. The ALIS
integrates every single connected terminal
and laptop, and functions in two ways: it not
only receives data, but also is automatically
programmed to update all of the aircraft’s
manuals, which are now completely in
digital format. To give a practical example:
in the case of a maintenance intervention,
the technical personnel are guided step by
step by the ALIS to the resolution via screen
displays, which also o er visual guidance on
the required maintenance operations and
the sequence of their execution, just like an
real life tutorial.
ALIS updates itself in real time, freeing up
personnel from the task of doing it themselves
and so avoiding delays or shortcomings in the
updating of manuals. Lockheed Martin likens
the ALIS to a smartphone, in which some 46
applications have been installed and are always
available, capable of responding to all the
requirements of the engineering personnel.BELOW: Take-o from Amendola made easy by the immense power
generated by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the most powerful
fi ghter engine ever developed, rated at 191.3kN with afterburner.
ABOVE: Pilot and crew-chief during pre-fl ight checks.