Tactical Data Links

Abstract

This Program Element develops and improves the Navy's Tactical Data Link (TDL) systems. It includes the Advanced Tactical Data Link Systems (ATDLS) Integration Programs, specifically Link 16 Network, Command and Control Processor (C2P) and Link Monitoring and Management Tool (LMMT); and Network Tactical Common Data Link (NTCDL) Program which provides the ability to transmit/receive real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data simultaneously from multiple sources (surface, air, sub-surface, man-portable), and exchange command and control information (voice, data, imagery, and Full Motion Video (FMV)) across dissimilar Joint, Service, Coalition, and civil networks. The Program Element also develops and tests tactical data link capability to distribute other data types to new and existing platforms. JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under Operational Systems Development because it encompasses engineering and manufacturing development for upgrade of existing operational systems. NTCDL provides warfighters with the capability to support multiple, simultaneous, networked operations with currently fielded CDL-equipped platforms (e.g. F/A-18, P-3, and MH-60R), in addition to next generation manned and unmanned platforms (e.g., P-8, Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS), Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike ( UCLASS), and Fire Scout). NTCDL is a tiered capability providing a modular, scalable, multiple-link networked communications. NTCDL benefits the fleet by providing horizon extension for line-of-sight sensor systems for use in time critical strike missions. NTCDL supports Anti-Access/Area of Denial (A2AD) through its relay capability, and supports Tasking Collection Processing Exploitation Dissemination (TCPED) through its ISR networking capability. Additionally, NTCDL supports Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) efforts through its ability to share ISR data across dissimilar Joint, Service, Coalition, and Civil organizations. The Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) program consists of two products, MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT) and MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). MIDS-LVT provides Link 16 capability to platforms that were unable to employ Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) due to space and weight constraints. The MIDS-LVT effort is multinational (U.S., France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) with joint Service participation (Navy, Army, and Air Force). The Department of Defense (DoD) established the program to design, develop, and deliver low volume, lightweight tactical information system terminals for U.S. and Allied fighter aircraft, bombers, helicopters, ships, and ground sites. MIDS-LVT provides interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) users, significantly increasing force effectiveness and minimizing hostile actions and friend-on-friend engagements. The terminal design is smaller, lighter, highly reliable, interoperable with JTIDS Class 2 terminal, compatible with all the participants' designated platforms, affordable, and re-configurable to individual user needs and budgets. MIDS JTRS, designed as a Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) and executed as an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to the production MIDS-LVT configuration, completed qualification in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. It facilitated the Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) JTRS incremental approach for fielding advanced JTRS transformational networking capability and transformed the MIDS-LVT into a 4-channel, Software Communications Architecture (SCA) compliant, Joint Tactical Radio. A form-fit-function replacement to MIDS-LVT, MIDS JTRS also adds three programmable 2 Megahertz (MHz) to 2 Gigahertz (GHz) channels capable of hosting the JTRS legacy and networking waveforms. In addition to the Link 16, Tactical Air Navigation, and voice functionality found in MIDS-LVT, MIDS JTRS has four channels and adds capabilities such as Link 16 Enhanced Throughput, four nets Concurrent Multi-Netting (CMN) with Concurrent Contention Receive (CCR) (CMN-4), Link 16 Frequency Re-mapping (FR), software programmability, and Cryptographic Modernization (CM). With CMN-4, MIDS JTRS also utilizes Tactical Targeting Network Technology for MIDS JTRS Naval Integrated Fire Control Counter Air and From the Air Advanced Tactical Data Links. These capabilities provide Joint Airborne Network-Tactical Edge functionality to run advanced mission applications in a cross-platform/cross-domain tactical network enterprise and the ability to simultaneously participate in four Link 16 Nets.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2015
Source ID
0205604N_7_1319_PB_2015
Change Summary Explanation
Schedule: ATDLS Integration: Link 16 Network Increment II Dynamic Network Management (DNM) (2126): Additional testing of DNM Time Slot Reallocation (TSR) caused various DNM milestones to slip. Link 16 Network Increment II Cryptographic Modernization (CM)/Frequency Remapping (FR) (2126): Delays in Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (LVT) and Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) contracting actions caused various CM/FR milestone slips. MIDS (3020): R2A: Updated verbiage to include Production Representative Terminals delivery and Lot 3 and Lot 4 awards for MIDS JTRS. Clarified Block Upgrade 2 description by including Frequency ReMapping (FR) and Enhanced Throughput (ET) for MIDS-LVT. R-3: Updated amounts and Contract award dates R-4: MIDS-LVT LCM Development extended into 1Q15; Renamed DT/OT for BU2 to Service Platform Testing as the services will be performing their own testing and will begin in 1Q17 vice 4Q16. MIDS JTRS Block Cycle 1 extended into 2Q14 and Block Cycle 2 extended into 4Q14.
Service Agency Name
Navy

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Contracts
  • Cross Domain
  • Data Links
  • Developmental Tests
  • Engineering
  • Frequency
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Nato
  • Radio Equipment
  • Software Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Tactical Data Links
  • Tactical Radios
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space

Related Documents