TACTICAL DATA NETWORKS ENTERPRISE

Abstract

Tactical Data Links (TDLs) are used in a combat environment to exchange information such as messages, data, radar tracks, target information, platform status, imagery, and command assignments. TDLs provide interoperability, local and global connectivity, and situational awareness to the user when operating under rapidly changing operational conditions. TDLs are used by all Service theater Command and Control (C2) elements, weapons platforms, and sensors. TDLs include, but are not limited to: Link 16, Link 11, Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), Variable Message Format (VMF), Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS), Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL), Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT), Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) and Radar Common Data Link (R-CDL). This effort provides critical capability and enhancements to the Airborne Network by facilitating common development, integration and interoperability among ground and air platforms. Utilization of TDLs in a joint environment requires the integration of terminals [e.g., Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) or Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)] into host platforms, and designing interoperability of data link networks across all deployed joint and allied platforms. The 653rd Electronic Systems Group (653rd ELSG) performs several cross-platform activities to ensure proper integration of TDL capabilities and interoperability of TDL networks. TDL efforts include incorporating changes and additions to data link message standards (e.g. MIL-STD-6016C), incorporating TDL enhancements and Interoperable Systems Management and Requirements Transformation (iSMART), a process which enables network centric interoperability assessments to be made more quickly and effectively. The Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems (JINTACCS) program ensures platform/system interoperability through the development and management of the joint/combined architecture, tactical information exchange requirements (IERs), interface definitions and protocols, platform/system implementations, employment concepts, and operating procedures. This program participates in the development, testing, and implementation of international standards (to include NATO standardization agreements) to ensure joint, allied, and coalition interoperability. The program also includes Link 16 operational and exercise support, including support of the USAF Network Design Facility. Gateway systems enable combat forces to exchange information quickly and accurately by bridging disparate airborne, terrestrial, and/or space-based C4ISR networks to interoperate, enhancing operational effects within individual networks. The AF continues to utilize these systems (Joint Air Defense System Integrator (JADSI), Joint Range Extension (JRE), Pocket J, and Link 16 Alaska (LAK)) to fill information (voice & data) gaps increasing situational awareness across the DoD. The Program offices continue spiral development on enhancements for theater-wide operational and tactical users and maintain DoD standards for Link 16 and SADL protocols to ensure joint interoperability. Activities include interface definitions, operating procedures and protocols for AOCs, Homeland Defense, COACs, and Air National Guard. STRATCOM's Distributed Nuclear Command and Control (DNC2) requires a system of systems approach in the development of capabilities for improving the Airborne Network to include air and ground components. STRATCOM's requirement expresses capabilities that are used in a combat environment to exchange information such as messages, data, radar tracks, target information, platform status, imagery, data fusion/correlation and command assignments. This effort provides critical capability for STRATCOM's classified DNC2 capabilities. A subset of this capability will be the development of STRATCOM's Phoenix Architecture that allows distribution of critical data from airborne assets to ground components for analysis, decision making and retasking of critical assets. STRATCOM and Air Combat Command's Multi-Source Battlespace Awareness (MSBA) Enabling Concept is the driving force in satisfying STRATCOM's and ACC future requirements. Funding will be used to develop CONEMPS, Studies, Risk Reduction activities, technology insertion, and associated Modeling and Simulation functions to validate Concepts and deliver classified capabilities over the next few years. Improvements to Gateways (air and ground) functionality will be enhanced that will expand LOS/BLOS, fusion and Multi-Level Security capabilities. This will allow critical data sharing from Low Observable assets and other classified systems to increase mission effectiveness, provide situational awareness, correlate on and off-board sensor data sharing target and threat informal and provide critical information via data link and or other functions to accomplish time critical targeting and other mission update functions. Resulting development efforts will ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the Global Strike CONOPS and Global Persistent Attack CONOPS and will incorporate interoperability and netcentricity across the Enterprise. The Air Force is leading the effort to develop a materiel solution to satisfy a CENTCOM Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON) within the time parameters specified by the DEPSECDEF. The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) JUON calls for 24/7 operation of the BACN payload to support current operations. BACN provides interoperability between disparate Tactical Data Links (TDLs) by receiving the various signals, bridging and forwarding them via an array of waveforms. This functionality permits single network operations and translation between Link 16 and Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), as well as beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity. BACN enhances this capability by connecting to the airborne IP network allowing information exchange. The BACN payload is an airborne data processing and communications system that integrates a suite of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processor, storage and information technology (IT) equipment and existing military airborne communications systems. The BACN payload also integrates existing and newly developed applications and services to provide range extension and connectivity for dissimilar communications systems that process, translate, transmit and store critical data for end users (e.g., Combined Air Operations Center, Tactical Air Control Parties, Special Operations forces, and airborne command and control and tactical platforms). A prototype BACN equipped BD-700 has been operating in theater since December 2008 per Deployment Order issued 29 August 2008. The BACN JUON is comprised of the BACN payload integrated onto two BD-700s and two Global Hawk Block 20 air vehicles operating as a system. Common Link Integration Processing (CLIP) is an Air Force program to develop a common, reusable, configurable, and extensible tactical data link message processing solution for airborne maritime, and fixed-site systems. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. This program is in budget activity 5 (System Development and Demonstration (SDD)) because it supports mature system development, integration and demonstrations, initial fielding support activities, operational support activities, and support of special projects.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 0604281F_5_3600_PB_2011
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2011 funding totals include $30M requested for Overseas Contingency Operations. FY10 Congressional marks include a $-5.0M cut to PE 0604281F (Tactical Data Networks Enterprise), for "Excess to need". An increase of $4.0M for "Global UAS Networking and Interoperability System (GUNIS)" was also made to PE 0604281F. GUNIS is a Marine Corps program and the mark to this PE is an error.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• C4I
• Materials and Manufacturing Processes
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Configuration Management
• Control Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Data Links
• Data Processing
• Defense Systems
• Information Systems
• Line Of Sight
• Situational Awareness
• Standards
• Tactical Data Links
• Warfare
• Weapon Systems

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space