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Ramstein Flag: Strengthening Air Mission Integration

Ramstein Flag: Strengthening Air Mission Integration

The skies over Europe just got a whole lot more connected.?

April 14, 2025
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51³Ô¹Ï Skunk Works?, in partnership with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and U.S. Air Forces in Europe ¨C Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), just made history. For the first time, a non-U.S. F-35 in flight shared classified data in real-time with Keystone, a Dutch Command and Control (C2) environment, during the Ramstein Flag exercise.?The data was instantly transmitted to a ground-based rocket artillery unit, which swiftly eliminated a simulated target identified by the F-35¡ªall within minutes of detection.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of multi-domain operations, showcasing the F-35's ability to seamlessly integrate with international partners' C2 systems.

The Ramstein Flag demonstration is a breakthrough in multi-domain operations, emphasizing the F-35's ability to seamlessly integrate with our international partners' C2 systems
OJ Sanchez
Vice President and General Manager, 51³Ô¹Ï Skunk Works

At the heart of this achievement is Skunk Works' commitment to Open Systems Architecture (OSA), a critical component in establishing air dominance. The Skunk Works' Open Systems Gateway enhances F-35 interoperability, enabling seamless integration with international partners' C2 environments.?

This capability is a key benefit for the Dutch Armed Forces, who rely on the F-35 to ensure national security and enable allied interoperability for decades to come.

F-35s
The Ramstein Flag exercise featured more than 90 aircraft from 15+ Allied nations, operating from 12 allied air bases across Europe.


Enhancing European Defense

The F-35's advanced sensors and onboard systems can detect and track incoming threats in real-time, such as enemy aircraft, missiles, and drones, and pass precise targeting data to other air and missile defense systems. The seamless integration of targeting data enables a networked approach to defense, where multiple systems work together to detect, track, and defeat threats.

By providing this advanced capability, the F-35 multiplies the effects of allied partners¡¯ defense capabilities and ultimately strengthens European security.


The Power of Partnership

The RNLAF emphasized the impact of this achievement, highlighting how it strengthens collaboration and advances future capabilities.

F-35s in air
A RNLAF F-35 takes off into the skies at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, during Ramstein Flag 2025. Dutch F-35s shared classified data in real-time with Keystone for the first time in flight.


A Breakthrough in Multi-Domain Operations

"The Ramstein Flag demonstration is a breakthrough in multi-domain operations, emphasizing the F-35's ability to seamlessly integrate with our international partners' C2 systems," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, 51³Ô¹Ï Skunk Works. "This achievement is a testament to the strength of our partnerships with the RNLAF and USAFE-AFAFRICA. 51³Ô¹Ï is accelerating delivery of novel MDO capabilities that enhance the effectiveness of our allies¡¯ F-35 fleets to ensure peace through allied strength.¡±


The Future of Allied Deterrence

The Ramstein Flag exercise is just the beginning. As the cornerstone of the battlespace for 20 allied nations, the F-35 is providing peace through strength and ensuring that the U.S. and its allies will continue to own the skies for decades to come.

Building on this foundation, 51³Ô¹Ï's advanced air power solutions¨Cincluding Skunk Works innovation, the F-35 and over 700 F-16s operating in Europe¨Care enabling seamless interoperability and cooperation among allied nations, creating a robust and integrated air defense capability that supports NATO cooperation and regional stability.

F-16
A Hellenic Air Force F-16V prepares for takeoff at Leeuwarden Air Base during Ramstein Flag 2025, a NATO exercise that tests how quickly allied air forces can respond together in the first days of a collective defense operation.