Common Data Link (CDL)
Abstract
Common Data Link Executive Agent (CDL EA) provides the DoD standard for interoperable, multi-service, multi-agency, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) datalinks for 15,000 DoD manned/unmanned airborne and ground terminals. As the DoD CDL EA, the Air Force is responsible for cross-service application of CDL RDT&E Military Intelligence Program (MIP) funds facilitating compliance to DoD mandates. The CDL EA develops, modifies, distributes, and maintains specifications for the CDL waveform family; ensuring design configuration control, commonality, and interoperability among ISR platforms. The CDL EA also funds and supports cross-Service teams that manage development, maturation, and migration of CDL technologies. CDL EA enables compliance with OSD mandates to effectively utilize spectrum, use approved cryptographic equipment, and provide direct support to current operations. CDL is a vital link in DoD's existing and emerging communication architectures, providing flexibility to accommodate Command and Control (C2) data and myriad types of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), and Full-Motion Video (FMV) data. The CDL specifications permit interoperable operations of current and future ISR assets worldwide by providing sensor data directly via point-to-point and air-to-air or compatible satellite broadcast links to ground sites, surface ships, airborne platforms, and dismounted users to support Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) warfare. CDL EA's research and development activities support a broad array of tactical (including tactical data links (TDL) and high capacity backbone (HCB)), operational, and strategic ISR users. High priority investment activities support and include: achieving higher data rates, open architecture development, multi-access and multi-node network management, cryptographic modernization, advancements needed to operate in contested environments, terminal design enhancements, and operations in other spectral bands for spectrum efficiency. Activities also include studies and analysis to support current and future requirements documentation, program planning and execution. CDL prototype terminal designs provide for future technology insertion and reduce non-recurring engineering and life-cycle costs to the user. In addition, the Cryptographic Core Modernization (CCM) thrust enables CDL to develop a miniaturized gigabit rate crypto devices capable of securing CDL data through improving Transmission Security (TRANSEC) capabilities. The miniaturized crypto device will allow faster throughput while reducing Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) requirements. The FY 2024 funding request was reduced by 7.330M to account for the availability of prior year execution balances, resulting in an increase for FY 2025. The program has been restructured and controls have been put in place to resolve past execution issues. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY23 0.300M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY24 0.612M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 641334_0305236F_4_3600_PB_2025
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- Root: Common Data Link Executive Agent (CDL EA)
- Child Accomplishment: Common Data Link (CDL) Technology Advancement
- Child Accomplishment: Common Data Link (CDL) Specification Development, Validation, Test and Maintenance
- Child Accomplishment: Common Data Link (CDL) Cryptographic Modernization
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