Tactical Data Networks Enterprise

Abstract

The Tactical Data Networks Enterprise (TDNE) develops, enhances and fields Tactical Data Links (TDL), advanced waveforms, radios, network management tools, and associated hardware and software that comprise the Joint Aerial Layer Network (JALN). This will be accomplished by upgrading currently fielded communications and TDL systems and by developing and fielding more advanced future systems in support of the Advance Battle Management System(ABMS). TDNE also addresses warfighter urgent demands through the establishment of Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRC) and Enterprise activities. TDNE supports the development, fielding and training of aerial layer networking capabilities across multiple core functions including air superiority, ground precision attack, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and personal recovery while integrating capabilities with space operations. TDNE executes quick reaction response capability requests by the warfighter and support activities (including ramp-up) associated with the Joint Aerial Layer Network (JALN) Enterprise activities. This program ensures the continued enhanced interoperability of Air Force and joint/coalition/NATO assets through efforts such as early systems engineering and use of the Political, Operational, Economic and Technical (POET) process for program requirements analysis and architectural design development/coordination of all TDN standards and management capabilities, configuration management, platform/system interoperability assessments, development of government reference architectures, interoperability certification testing, and flight testing. Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) is a waveform designed to mitigate the effects of advanced jamming in Anti-Access/Area Denial environments. PTW provides worldwide, beyond line of sight, Anti-Jam (AJ), Low Probability of Intercept communications, via military and commercial satellite systems for tactical users in all services. It includes terminal certification efforts (Information Assurance (IA), NSA and MIL-STD). PTW development activities may include technical and acquisition-related studies, analysis, early systems engineering and risk reduction activities, addressing all subsystems to support both current program planning/execution and future AF program planning. This effort also funds PTW modem development and aperture development on suitable platforms. TDL System Integration will provide for the study (acquisitions current and proposed), analysis, enhancement, development, integration, demonstration, test, and evaluation of Tactical Data Links (TDLs) as a subset of the broader aerial layer networks. TDLs are used in both peace time and combat environments to exchange information such as character-oriented and fixed-formatted messages, data, radar tracks, target information, platform status, imagery, free-text messaging and command assignments. TDLs provide interoperability, local and global connectivity, and situational awareness to the user when training or fighting under rapidly changing operational conditions. TDLs increase mission effectiveness by providing enhanced air domain situational awareness, positive combat identification of aircraft in the network, fusion/correlation of on- and off-board sensor data, digital sharing of machine-to-machine target and threat information, thereby, enabling time critical targeting and other mission assignment tasking. 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, Link 22, Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), Variable Message Format (VMF), Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL), and other Advanced TDL Link technologies, such as Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT), Common Data Link (CDL), Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), and Airborne Extensible Relay and Over the Horizon Network (AERONet). TDLs typically include both a waveform specification as well as the standards for exchanging messages. Agile Communications include the capability to share tactically significant information within/to/from highly contested environments in support of the Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan. Agile Communication efforts provide for pre-Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and development activities. High Capacity Backbone (HCB), a subset of the overall JALN concept, will provide the warfighter with a robust communication infrastructure enhancing C2 capabilities. HCB connects users operating within disadvantaged conditions to space and terrestrial communications utilizing Deployed Ground Entry Points (DGEP) and aerial nodes. Tactical Data Link Planning, Analysis and Planning (TDL PAM) provides a tool to monitor, troubleshoot and repair any issues with Link 16 network. Link 16 Enhancements will develop and field a advanced signal processing capability on Airborne platforms to address threats in the contested and highly contested environments. To address future Advanced Tactical Datalinks, development of a Software Programmable OMS compliant (SPOC) radio terminal prototype is being built and tested. SPOC will provide a next generation radio set capable of hosting a variety of advanced tactical datalinks. Family of Gateway provides for the study (acquisitions current and proposed), analysis, enhancements, development, integration, costing, demonstration, test, and evaluation efforts that will allow joint combat forces to exchange information quickly and accurately by bridging discrete airborne, terrestrial, maritime, and space-based C4ISR networks producing operational effects not possible within individual networks. Gateway functions include enabling interoperability between data formats, protocols, and communication mediums. Additionally, gateway functions extend the connectivity range, consolidate data from multiple networks into high capacity links for transmission to key C2ISR nodes, route information between disadvantaged users, and fuse/correlate data from multiple sources to improve accuracy. Gateway functions also provide application hosting, shared data storage, on-demand information access, smart data forwarding, and system monitoring and network management. Further, this project supports 5th-to-4th Generation efforts and future TDL communications development. Additionally, Family of Gateways will support to enhance existing TDL performance, through upgrades and engineering analysis of system designs. Efforts in this project include waveform, ground, and rapid acquisition activities supporting Air Force requirements for communication bridging across multiple platforms, sources and communication domains. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Tactical Data Network Enterprise weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F The FY 20 funding request was reduced by $40 million to account for the availability of prior year execution balances. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Tactical Data Network system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 0604281F_5_3600_PB_2021
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2019: - Project 655050, funding was increased by $50.0 million congressional add to accelerate ABMS - Project 655050, funding was increased by $14.888 million as a technical adjustment for PTW - Project 655050, funding was decreased by $21.2 million for higher Air Force needs - Project 655050, funding was decreased by $6.487 million for Small Business Innovation Research FY 2020: - Project 655050, funding was decreased by $40.0M to account for availability of prior year execution balance FY 2021: - Project 655050, funding was decreased by $46.0M to account for availability of prior years execution balance - Project 655262, $24.5M was reprogrammed to PE 27417F (AWACS) for 5th to 4th Generation Gateway on E-3 risk reduction, development and integration
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• C4I
• Cyber
• Energy and Power Technologies
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Combat Forces
• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Communication Networks
• Configuration Management
• Control Systems
• Data Links
• Information Exchange
• Information Systems
• Signal Processing
• Situational Awareness
• Systems Engineering
• Tactical Data Links
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Facilities
• Warfare

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• 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
• Space