F-35 Stealth Fighter Can Send Data to MiG-29s Useful Over Ukraine
(Photo : BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
The F-35 stealth fighter teams up with MiG-29s to send data to its weapons systems when over Ukraine.
  • The F-35 stealth fighter can send data to older MiG-29s via network and age of the systems.
  • MiG-29s will do the heavy work, so that the tandem would be useful for air superiority missions.
  • Both systems will have an impact on Ukraine when the time comes.

A combination of old and new is the F-35 stealth fighter and the MiG-29s, wherein the US plane can send data. The impact of Ukraine is that networking is done to enable it would be beneficial.

F-35 Stealth Fighter and MiG-29s Exchange Data

A joint exercise in Europe demonstrated that the two planes would work well together to improve the critical situation in the air. Adapting the data link for a 5th gen and 4th gen fighter that lets the Lightning II be the point man in the skies of Eastern Europe, reported Bulgarian Military.

Several days ago, an exercise under NATO was held in Poland that had MiG-29 Fulcrums, noted Mig Flug. F-35 Joint Strike Fighters of the Netherlands Air Force flew and operated in pairs, mentioned Military. The exercise was for Air Policing, which is usual in war and peace, with F-16s and Rafales participating in the air drills.

One unexpected outcome is that both planes had linked up well as the MiG and stealth jet flew from Air Base in Poland. Both aerial units shared data on an imaginary target and interdicted the targets in the digital realm. The objective is to defend two Polish cargo planes in the exercise.

F-35 Can Send Data Of Actions in Ukraine

Experts see a combo of east and west as unique in how the tandem would integrate. It represents a window for the allies and Ukrainian Air Force to see how far the advantage will go.

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Vijainder K. Thakur, an Indian Air Force veteran and military expert, gave his take on the unusual pairing. He stressed that data could be shared by the stealth jet to the Fulcrum to guide it. One outcome is that the older radar of the Fulcrum will be boosted by the 5th gen jet is more capable. The JSF, similar to a drone, shows where to shoot, or it fires at the Fulcrum but is not on the Russian jet's radar.

Another option is to have the Fulcrum in front and the stealth fighter behind to direct weapons fire. It works by having the 5th gen jet in Polish airspace, instructing where to direct the missile shot.

It would keep the US fighter in safe airspace and show a Su-35 detect it stays out of harm's way. For all intents, it will sense all targets in range to give the UAF a heads-up. Despite having different tech, both could work as a pair. NATO is looking for ways it can solve problems in the conflict.

Dutch F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

These two generations are very different in approaches, and their roles are not the same. One is for getting up close for the kill (Fulcrum), and the F-35 JSF is a jack of all trades. Training to fly the US jet will be challenging for a Fulcrum pilot.

About eight of the advanced jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force [RNLAF] are based in Poland. If there is an escalation, they will be the first in Ukraine and up training the UAF.

The F-35 stealth fighter and MiG-29s are in drills, and they send data to help the older jet that will be over Ukraine.

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