The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors sent the classified sensor data from the air to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and Langley Air Force Base in Virginia with new tactical targeting network technology under development by Rockwell Collins. The experiment was part of the U.S. Air Force's annual Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment where command and control and other targeting technologies are tested.

Officials say the F-22 data link test marked the first step for the fighter aircraft toward becoming network-enabled during JEFX08.

"Lockheed Martin was excited about the Air Force's decision to demonstrate the value of sharing F-22 intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance data with other fighters and back to the Combined Air Operations Center," Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. executive vice president and F-22 general program manager, said in a statement. "This is the first time in history that F-22 sensor data was down-linked to the Combined Air Operations Center using a tactical network."