Recommendation:
ANG F-35s required accurate Mission Data File (MDF) programming to maximize organic sensor capabilities to kill and survive in the modern battlespace. Programming is a constantly moving target because threats evolve quickly, intelligence information is imperfect, and government induced multi-level security barriers often prevent end-users from receiving timely, accurate and reliable information. Current tactical data recording options are insufficient in their capacity and their pre-fusion limitations. For improved rapid reprogramming, the addition of post-fusion messages provides more benefit to data aggregation centers. Quick Reaction Instrumentation Packages (QRIP) must be considered a baseline combat configuration for ANG F-35A aircraft. It must also be removed from consideration as a “test” capability to increase proliferation to ANG aircraft. The ANG must then leverage Crowd Source Flight Data available via QRIP and send it to the MDF reprogramming lab at the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory. This data permits crucial updating to software-defined requirements significantly effecting survivability and lethality of ANG F-35A aircraft. With multiple information sources available from the F-35 Mission Design Series and other channels of the Intelligence Community, additional obstacles to overcome are multi-level security barriers and lack of automated and intelligent software tools to analyze information and implement relevant changes to MDFs. This resolution is a 2024 WEPTAC Critical Capability and is supported by the CAF Task Force and F-35 Weapons Systems Council.