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