Ramstein Flag: Strengthening Air Mission Integration
The skies over Europe just got a whole lot more connected.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, in partnership with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and U.S. Air Forces in Europe – 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—all 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.
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.
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.
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, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "This achievement is a testament to the strength of our partnerships with the RNLAF and USAFE-AFAFRICA. Lockheed Martin 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, Lockheed Martin's advanced air power solutions–including Skunk Works innovation, the F-35 and over 700 F-16s operating in Europe–are enabling seamless interoperability and cooperation among allied nations, creating a robust and integrated air defense capability that supports NATO cooperation and regional stability.
