A layman's view on CEC

[thewood1]

From a discord discussion based on a lot of amateur research I have done...

"My understanding is that CEC is used in the general public as an over-broad term. CEC, MADL, and NIFC-CA are all part of the chain. NIFC-CA is the overarching framework for data compatibility, CEC is the data fusion and integration part, and MADL is the "stealthy" datalink from the F-35 to the CEC. CEC is just the data management/hub/fusion of the data from multiple sources. Its the digital engine that brings all the data together and then sends it back out to the other units. NIFC-CA is the overarching system/architecture to get all the data together and make sure everything is compatible. CEC makes sure the data is fused and in a format for people/systems to use it. MADL is a stealthy form of Link-16.

To me, in my amateur view, CMO's CEC is really a mashup of CEC and NIFC-CA. One thing I picked up a few years ago is that all the carrier and E-2D are the central processing hubs. F-35s don't really carry any CEC standalone capability. All sensor readings are sent to the hub and then fused into a single picture for all NIFC-CA capable units to access. That fusing, I am pretty sure does not happen in the F-35. But thee F-35 must have NIFC-CA compatibility through MADL to run the test done in 2016. Thats all that test was for. From what I can deduce, the F-35's sensors are send in real-time its sensor data to the E-2D for fusion. Meanwhile, a DDG is also seeinig the fused data. The DDG fires an SM-6 based on the fused data. It really doesn't care if its from the F-35. Its just a target on the CEC network (or fused picture). CMO seems to follow that logic. Again, the E-2D (maybe advanced E-2C) is a critical cog."

"btw, found this article a few months ago and is what got me thinking about a gamer's perspective on CEC. Its very approachable. Not sure how credible the site is, but did a lot of backgroud research to validate it. https://en.namu.wiki/w/CEC"

Discord CMO chat...

https://discord.com/channels/5576673914 ... 7120990382