Various sources including Air Forces Monthly say the RSAF turned down American Link-16 in favor of Smart Data Link (SDL) made by IAI of Israel in 1999. Singaporean F-16C/D Block 52s have this Israeli SDL but newly ordered F-15SGs will have Link-16.
According to an Aviation Week & Space Technology article "NEW THREATS, NEW TACTICS" on 31st October this year, it is an enormous disadvantage not being able to get into Link 16 network when you are operating with coalition air forces, particularly the US forces.
"All the annoying things that will bite you on day one of combat will bite you on day one of Red Flag," Jordan explains. "If you can't get into the Have Quick [secure communications network] or into Link 16 [datalink network], and if you don't fix the [problems], you're going to get comm-jammed and it'll be painful. If you're not up on the datalink, you don't get the surveillance tracks and don't know where those MiGs are. Then, you're left listening to the radio instead of looking at a picture--and getting comm-jammed. It's a cascading [situation] then.
[snip]
At one point, a simulated MiG "aggressor," flying at low altitude, slipped through a blockade of F-15 Eagles and immediately went after an EA-6B in the blue force's "backfield." An alert Singaporean F-16 pilot either spotted the simulated MiG or was directed to intercept it by an AWACS controller, shooting down the MiG and saving the high-value jammer aircraft."
Does anybody know whether or not Singaporean F-16s got into Link-16 network in this Red Flag exercise? Although SDL and Link-16 are not compatible, SDL-equipped Singaporean F-16s would be able to exchange data with Link-16 aircraft if there is a sort of 'gateway' between them.
Thanks in advance & Happy New Year!
Sunho
I'm sure there is something that can be done..after all, LM does integration with Rafael or Elbit in Stateside factories too.
Hur hur, maybe the Israeli datalinks CAN hook on to a Link16?
Bleah, I know nuts about datalinks despite being a data comm student..hhoho.
Thanks for the link. But it's about navy systems, not RSAF's SDL and USAF/USN/USMC's Link-16.
Link-16 operates in L-band.