F-35 and Other Planes' Software Rapidly Alteration Pursuit by Lead Executive at Spectrum Warfare Division
Hey there! Let's chat about the Air Force's Spectrum Warfare Wing and their mission to automate parts of their workload, specifically the reprogramming of Mission Data Files (MDFs) for fifth-generation warplanes like the F-35.
Col. Larry Fenner Jr., the commander of the Air Force's only Spectrum Warfare Wing, was at the Association of Old Crows electronic warfare trade show, but he's yet to find the right tools to automate his reprogramming process. He's looking for solutions that can help his unit, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, based out of Eglin Air Force in Florida, go faster with their reprogramming cycles.
The MDFs are essential for a warplane like the F-35 since they help its systems distinguish friend from foe by their electromagnetic signatures and program its EW equipment with the latest data about enemy EW tactics. Historically, reprogramming was run less frequently, but the establishment of the 350th SWW in 2021 aims to speed that up.
Force commanders set the operational tempo, and the 350th SWW's goal is to keep up with whatever tempo they set. They rely on data from sensors carried by the F-35 and other aircraft, analyzed by engineers back in the U.S. to identify and isolate novel or anomalous data for MDF updates.
The most pressing need right now is automating the initial part of this process – identifying and isolating novel or anomalous data back in the reprogramming centers. If they can achieve this, it would be a massive win for the 350th SWW. Beyond that, they're on the hunt for "game-changing" capabilities that would identify such anomalies during a mission and process the data on aircraft itself before landing, allowing for faster updates.
However, finding these tools might be a challenge, as Fenner mentioned that he hasn't seen such capabilities available yet. And even if he does find them, he wouldn't be able to buy them, as he's not part of the acquisition process.
Now, it's crucial to note that MDFs aren't only reprogrammed for the Air Force but for other U.S. military services and allied air forces as well, given that the F-35 is a joint coalition aircraft. The 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron, which leads operations at the United States Reprogramming Laboratory, provides MDFs for the F-35. Eglin is also home to various allied air force units, including the 80 Squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force and the British Royal Air Force.
Data sharing and collaboration with allies are essential to ensure that everyone's moving forward on the same page. That's all I've got for now! If you're interested in delving deeper into potential automation solutions for MDF reprogramming, there are some possibilities worth exploring, like AI and Machine Learning integration, cloud-based data management, automated software updates, network-centric warfare capabilities, and cybersecurity measures.
- The air force is considering the establishment of a Space Force within the military to support and enhance the reprogramming process of Mission Data Files (MDFs) for fifth-generation warplanes, as these files are crucial for air warfare, space warfare, and overall military operations.
- Col. Larry Fenner Jr., the commander of the Air Force's Spectrum Warfare Wing, is seeking technology solutions that could help automate the initial part of the MDF reprogramming process, particularly in identifying and isolating novel or anomalous data.
- Beyond the automation of MDF reprogramming, the Air Force and its allied forces are exploring advanced technology options such as AI and Machine Learning, cloud-based data management, automated software updates, network-centric warfare capabilities, and cybersecurity measures to enhance the efficiency of warfare in space and air.
