[Avionics Today 03-16-2016] The U.S. Air Force has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage in cost and capability discussions in planning for the development of an Inc II to the fifth to fourth Generation Fighter Gateway. The fifth to fourth Gen Gateway is intended to provide a communications pathway between fifth generation fighter aircraft, such as F-22s and F-35s, and fourth generation aircraft equipped with Link-16.
An F-15C will host the gateway to exchange data to support cooperative tactics while operating in contested airspace. The Gen Gateway must provide three primary capabilities: an Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) sensor, which serves as an alternative to the host platform radar, to search for and track airborne targets; Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) access to national data service providers; and a Multi-Level Security (MLS) track correlation and data fusion processor, connected to multiple data domains, to create an advantaged Common Tactical Picture (CTP).