F-22 Cut From Prototype Comms Project

The U.S. Air Force has decided not to integrate a prototype communications system linked to its Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) with the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, reports Defense News.

On Jan. 13, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published an analysis of the Air Force's contribution to the Pentagon's Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) program to link platforms across the military.

The report said that the F-22 would not be included in the ABMS Capability Release 1, a prototype data transfer system designed to link aircraft and systems on the ground. It was initially intended to link and provide real-time sensor feedback to KC-46 aerial tankers and F-35 and F-22 fighters.

Air Force officials said the decision was made to eliminate the F-22 from the work due to its "reduced role in the future force structure" among other unspecified factors.

Linking the F-35 has taken precedence, while connecting the F-22 may be revisited in the future, said the GAO study.