Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)
Abstract
The Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) program consists of two products, MIDS Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) and MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS). The MIDS-LVT is the product of the MIDS International Program Office (IPO), a multinational (U.S., France (FRA), Germany(DEU), Italy (ITA), and Spain (ESP)) cooperative development program with joint service participation (U.S. Navy (USN), U.S. Army (USA), and U.S. Air Force (USAF)). The DoD established the program to design, develop and deliver low volume, lightweight tactical information system terminals for U.S. and Allied fighter aircraft, bombers, helicopters, ships, and ground sites. MIDS-LVT provides interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and non-NATO users, significantly increasing force effectiveness and minimizing hostile actions and friend-on-friend engagements. Three principal configurations of the terminal are in production and use an open system, modular architecture. MIDS-LVT(1) includes voice, Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and variable power transmission and provides a Link 16 capability to the F/A-18, which was previously unable to use Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) due to space and weight limitations. MIDS-LVT(2) is an Army variant of MIDS-LVT tailored as a functional replacement for the JTIDS Class 2M terminal. MIDS-LVT(3), also referred to, as MIDS Fighter Data Link (FDL), is a reduced function terminal for the Air Force (no voice, no TACAN). MIDS-LVT contracted for Block Upgrade 2 (BU2) to incorporate Cryptographic (Crypto) Modernization (CM), Enhanced Throughput (ET), and Frequency Remapping (FR) in the MIDS-LVT terminal.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1019499
Entities
People
- Robert Croxson
Organizations
- United States Navy