F-35 used in Danish MDO demonstration

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works working with the Danish Ministry of Defence has demonstrated the ability of an F-35 to pass classified data whilst in flight over the US to the Skrydstrup airbase in Denmark, according to a 19th May press release from Lockheed Martin. The test showed the ability of an F-35 to facilitate multi-domain operations (MDO); typically defined as bringing sensors and weapons from different domains together against a single objective. 

“This marked a significant milestone toward enhancing Denmark’s capabilities, as it enabled our MDO staff to witness in real-time the potential of the F-35’s ability to collect, analyse and share advanced data across geographically dispersed networks,” said Danish Air Chief, Major General Jan Dam, explaining the value of the demonstration. 

Classified data was shared via DAGGR-2 over commercial satellite communications links and displayed to staff at Skrydstrup. DAGGR-2 appears to be the designation for Lockheed’s Open Systems Gateway, which has been developed by Skunk Works, to enable the F-35 to “plug-in” to allied command and control networks. It uses an open systems architecture, which can be thought of as similar to a smartphone, which is not limited to the original applications supplied by the manufacturer. 

Using app stores, it is possible to download new apps and capabilities for your phone, connect it to third party hardware, and communicate with many other devices regardless of who manufactured them. So, DAGGR-2 likely enables communication between an F-35 and other systems by creating a bridge and providing interfaces that can be connected to with software adjustments. The integrity and security of the data is maintained, Lockheed said of the Open Systems Gateway.

The Open Systems Gateway was used in a similar demonstration with the Dutch MoD in April. During the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercise, a Dutch F-35 passed target data to land-based systems for them to engage. Other examples of F-35 being integrated into multi-domain operations include with the US Army’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), which has demonstrated the ability to pass targeting data on air threats from an F-35 through to a Patriot ground-based air defence system. In that case, the IBCS acts as the bridging capability between different hardware systems. 

Calibre comment

Skrydstrup is an important location because it is home to Denmark’s F-35 fleet, and received four newly built aircraft there on the 16th May, bringing the total F-35 complement on Danish soil up to 15. Denmark has placed a lot of emphasis on realising MDO. “Multi-Domain Operations place great demands on both leadership and technology. A clear overview of the battlefield must be provided through data collection and analysis to obtain accurate intelligence, and here the F-35 fighter jet is expected to be one of the focal points, as it has precisely such capabilities,” the Danish MoD’s website states. With that in mind, it is clear that the purpose of the demonstration was to show that an F-35 can indeed provide this focal point for data transfer around the world. 

This could have many applications for the Danish armed forces, including in a homeland defence scenario as well as when working as part of NATO. In the former, it would be possible for an F-35 to work with naval vessels on air defence. In the latter, it could contribute to long-range targeting of Russia’s air defence systems alongside NATO allies. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 21st May, 2025.