Network Tactical Common Data Link

Abstract

Network Tactical Common Data Link (NTCDL) provides the ability to transmit/receive real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data simultaneously from multiple sources (surface, airborne, sub-surface, man-portable), and exchange command and control information (voice, data, imagery, and Full Motion Video) across dissimilar Joint, Service, Coalition, and civil networks. NTCDL provides warfighters with the capability to support multiple, simultaneous, networked operations with currently fielded Common Data Link (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, Triton, UCLASS, and Fire Scout). NTCDL is a incremental capability (surface, airborne, sub-surface, man-portable) 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 counters Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) 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. Joint Aerial Layer Network-Maritime (JALN-M) is the Navy implementation of the JALN architecture which provides assured communications in any environment, especially A2/AD. With disruption or loss of Space tier communications, JALN-M establishes and/or restores connectivity with the High Capacity Backbone (HCB) tier, the Distribution Access Range Extension (DARE) tier, and the Transition tier in accordance with the JALN-M Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and the JALN-M Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Final Report. JALN-M is a robust, assured communications capability providing joint connectivity via the HCB and Navy platform connectivity via a pseudo satellite DARE capability. JALN-M will use the Extended Data Rate (XDR) waveform (Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT)) for intra-battle group DARE communications, a CDL waveform for the HCB cross-link capability, and will leverage enhanced Ultra High Frequency/High Frequency (UHF/HF) waveforms for coalition connectivity. Furthermore, Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) efforts related to the JALN-M Pod will develop a prototype PNT subsystem that will be integrated into the JALN-M Pod, and will provide position and timing data to other Pod subsystems, both with and without Global Positioning System (GPS) connectivity. Because the Pod is being designed to operate in an A2/AD environment, the Pod HCB and XDR (i.e. NMT) subsystems need to be provided with PNT data in the absence of GPS, and the assured PNT subsystem will provide that data. FY16 will focus on Contract Award activities; NTCDL development efforts (e.g. NTCDL Engineering Development Models [EDMs]; development of documentation supporting Milestone C; and efforts associated with Increment 2, to include, airborne terminal research and development of High Capacity Backbone (HCB) and air-to-air relay activities in an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environment.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: 3341_0205604N_7_1319_PB_2016

Tags

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
• Space - Satellites