Flight Testing Begins on B-1 with New Link 16 Communications

Calif: The Boeing Company today announced the start of flight tests for a B-1 Lancer bomber upgraded with new digital avionics for the aft cockpit, including a line-of-sight Link 16 data link. The B-1 Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) made its first flight test on June 4 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.The four-hour flight was conducted by the U.S. Air Force around the local Edwards test ranges. The crew successfully tested the Link 16 data link by sending and receiving text messages and receiving virtual mission assignment data such as target coordinates for a weapon.
Link 16 adds line-of-sight capability to the B-1's existing beyondline-of-sight Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP)data link, and integrates the JREAP data onto new, full-color displays with intuitive symbols and moving maps.

"Link 16 will allow the B-1 to be an active participant in a network that is commonly used by fighter, reconnaissanceand command-and-control aircraft," said Mark Angelo, B-1 programmanager for Boeing. "With Link 16, target coordinates can be sentdirectly to the weapon systemfrom ground troops or forward operating bases, instead of the currentmethod, where crew members type the coordinates in by hand afterhearing them over the radio."
The program will conduct three flight tests this month. Additional flight tests will take place through January 2011. The entire Air Force fleet of 66 B-1s is expected to receive the FIDL upgrade.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Securityis one of the world's largest defense, space and security businessesspecializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions,and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of militaryaircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space &Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.