TDL System Integration
Abstract
Funding will provide for the study, analysis, enhancement, development, integration, demonstration, costing, test, and evaluation of Tactical Data Links (TDL) as a subset of the broader aerial layer network. TDLs are used in both peacetime 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 operating 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 and, 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. The number of Air Force platforms hosting TDLs has expanded from C2 aircraft (E-3, E-8, E-11A, EQ-4B, or other JALN analyzed platforms, etc.) to the fighter, bomber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), tanker, airlift and other tactical fleets (F-15, F-16, F-22A, Rivet Joint, B-1, B-2, B-52, etc.), as well as to precision guided munitions. Utilization of TDLs in a joint environment requires the integration of terminals into host platforms and interoperability of TDL networks across all deployed joint and coalition platforms. TDLs have become the primary means of tactical, battlefield communications. Efforts in this project include waveform and integration activities. Waveform: Waveform activities include, but are not limited to, enabling and supporting Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems (JINTACCS), interoperable System Management and Requirements Transformation (iSMART), Coalition Interoperability, and Link 16 Enhancements. Funding will provide training, logistics development, certification of individual TDL implementations to joint/allied standards, establishment of service-wide network management procedures/operations, and system wide enhancements/testing. Integration: Integration activities include, but are not limited to, Data Link Test Facility (DTF), Air Force Participating Test Unit (AFPTU), Joint Airborne Network Tactical Edge (JAN-TE), Network Centric Capability Assessment (NCCA), Tactical Edge Network C2 (TEN C2), integration analysis of the Joint Warfighting Integrated NetOps (JWIN) Joint Concept Technology Demonstration (JCTD), Cursor on Target (CoT), Tactical Communications Suite (TCS), and analysis of integration on platforms of existing TDN systems, system-of-systems analysis. Funding will ensure continued enhanced interoperability of Air Force and joint assets through efforts such as early systems engineering and use of the POET (Political, Operational, Economic and Technical) 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, and interoperability certification testing. Activities also include studies and analysis (engineering and cost) to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning efforts for Tactical Data Networks, including development of joint concepts for C2 of JALN, JALN AoA follow-on analysis, JALN gateway planning, and the Joint Tactical Air Picture (JTAP). This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD), 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
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 655050_0604281F_5_3600_PB_2015
Related Documents
- Root: Tactical Data Networks Enterprise
- Child Accomplishment: Tactical Data Networks (TDN) Integration
- Child Accomplishment: Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control Systems (JINTACCS)
- Child Accomplishment: Cursor on Target (CoT)
- Child Accomplishment: Gateways Integration