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Data Link Solutions (DLS) is a joint venture entity that was created in 1996 between GEC-Marconi Hazeltine (now known as BAE Systems) and Rockwell Collins for the purpose of developing, manufacturing and supporting the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS).
DLS is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and also has facilities in Wayne, New Jersey.
The company has the extensive contract experience in JTIDS Class 2 / 2H / 2M, the MIDS Fighter Data Link (FDL) and the MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT-1), with over $275 million in contracts to date and production deliveries started for MIDS LVT and FDL terminals. [1]
In June 2006 Data Link Solutions (DLS) and Viasat entered into an agreement to cooperatively produce and sell Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) terminals for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). DLS is leading the development effort on MIDS JTRS under an $82 million product improvement program contract.
In August 2007 Data Link Solutions received a $28 million order for Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego. The terminals will be installed in the U.S. Navy F/A-18 and EA-6B, U.S. Air Force F-16, B-1, B-2 and B-52 as well as other battle elements.
On January 7, 2024, DLS was sanctioned by the Chinese government due to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. [2]
The Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) is an L band Distributed Time Division Multiple Access (DTDMA) network radio system used by the United States Department of Defense and their allies to support data communications needs, principally in the air and missile defense community. It produces a spread spectrum signal using Frequency-shift keying (FSK) and Phase-shift keying (PSK) to spread the radiated power over a wider spectrum (range of frequencies) than normal radio transmissions. This reduces susceptibility to noise, jamming, and interception. In JTIDS Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) (similar to cell phone technology), each time interval (e.g., 1 second) is divided into time slots (e.g. 128 per second). Together, all 1536 time slots in a 12-second interval are called a "frame". Each time slot is "bursted" (transmitted) at several different carrier frequencies sequentially. Within each slot, the phase angle of the transmission burst is varied to provide PSK. Each type of data to be transmitted is assigned a slot or block of slots (channel) to manage information exchanges among user participation groups. In traditional TDMA, the slot frequencies remain fixed from second to second (frame to frame). In JTIDS TDMA, the slot frequencies and/or slot assignments for each channel do not remain fixed from frame to frame but are varied in a pseudo-random manner. The slot assignments, frequencies, and information are all encrypted to provide computer-to-computer connectivity in support of every type of military platform to include Air Force fighters and Navy submarines.
The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System is a supersonic tactical ballistic missile designed and manufactured by the US defense company Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV), and later Lockheed Martin through acquisitions.
Thales S.A., trading as Thales Group is a French multinational aerospace and defence corporation specialized in electronics. It designs, develops and manufactures a wide variety of aerospace and military systems, devices and equipment but also operates in the cybersecurity and formerly civil ground transportation sectors. The company is headquartered in Paris' business district, La Défense, and its stock is listed on Euronext Paris.
Acer Inc. is a Taiwanese multinational company that produces computer hardware and electronics, headquartered in Xizhi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Its products include desktop PCs, laptop PCs, tablets, servers, storage devices, virtual reality devices, displays, smartphones, televisions and peripherals, as well as gaming PCs and accessories under its Predator brand. As of 2024, Acer is the world's sixth-largest personal computer vendor by unit sales.
The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) aimed to replace existing radios in the American military with a single set of software-defined radios that could have new frequencies and modes (“waveforms”) added via upload, instead of requiring multiple radio types in ground vehicles, and using circuit board swaps in order to upgrade. JTRS has seen cost overruns and full program restructurings, along with cancellation of some parts of the program.
The IAI Harpy is a loitering munition missile produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The Harpy is designed to attack radar systems and is optimised for the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) role. It carries a high explosive warhead. The Harpy has been sold to several foreign nations, including South Korea, India and China.
Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by NATO members and other nations, as allowed by the MIDS International Program Office (IPO). Its specification is part of the family of Tactical Data Links.
NASAMS is a short- to medium-range ground-based air defense system developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) and RTX Corporation. The system defends against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, cruise missiles, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), and fixed wing aircraft, firing any of a wide range of existing missiles.
TADIL-J refers to the system of standardized J-series messages which are known by NATO as Link 16. These are defined by U.S. military standard (MIL-STD) 6016. It is used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, the NSA, several NATO countries, and Japan as part of the Multi-Tactical Data Link Network, a Tactical Data Link.
The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a United States Space Force narrowband military communications satellite system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of users in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. The system provides increased communications capabilities to newer, smaller terminals while still supporting interoperability with legacy terminals. MUOS is designed to support users who require greater mobility, higher bit rates and improved operational availability. The MUOS was declared fully operational for use in 2019.
Viasat, Inc. is an American communications company based in Carlsbad, California, with additional operations across the United States and worldwide. Viasat is a provider of high-speed satellite broadband services and secure networking systems covering military and commercial markets.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) is one of the four core business areas for American company Lockheed Martin.
The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, used by NATO forces around the world. The radio is built by Thales Communications, a subsidiary of the France-based Thales Group. The designation AN/PRC translates to Army/Navy Portable Radio used for two-way communications, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) guidelines.
The AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio, is a portable, compact, tactical software-defined combat-net radio manufactured by Harris Corporation. It is compliant without waivers to the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Software Communications Architecture (SCA). It has received NSA certification for the transmission of Top Secret data.
The Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP) enables tactical data messages to be transmitted over long-distance networks, e.g. satellite links, thereby extending the range of Tactical Data Links (TDLs).
Variable Message Format, abbreviated as "VMF" and documented in MIL-STD-6017, is a message format used in communicating tactical military information. A message formatted using VMF can be sent via many communication methods. As it does not define such a method, a communications medium, or a protocol, it is not a Tactical Data Link (TDL).
S-TADIL J, or Satellite TADIL J, is a real-time Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Tactical Digital Information Link (TADIL) supporting the exchange of the same J Series message set that is implemented on Link-16 via the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS). S-TADIL J provides for robust continuous connectivity between Navy ships that are beyond JTIDS line-of-sight (LOS) transmission range. S-TADIL J is designed to support and significantly improve long-range TADIL connectivity between widely dispersed fleet operational forces. With the deployment of S-TADIL J, operational units will have three possible data link paths that can be used to support multi-ship data link-coordinated operations. S-TADIL J supports the same levels of surveillance and weapon coordination data exchange provided by Link-11 and Link-16. The TADIL J message standard is implemented on S-TADIL J to provide for the same level of information content as Link-16.
General Dynamics Mission Systems is a business unit of American defense and aerospace company General Dynamics. General Dynamics Mission Systems integrates secure communication and information systems and technology. General Dynamics Mission Systems has core manufacturing in secure communications networks; radios and satellite technology for the defense, cyber, public safety, and intelligence communities.
Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) is the NATO name for the communication component of Link-16.
Raytheon Australia is the Australian arm of Raytheon Technologies. It was established in 1999 and has grown to become the largest US owned defence contractor operating in Australia. In 2012 Raytheon Australia recorded a turnover of $735.5 million. In 2015, Raytheon Australian was ranked fourth in Australian Defence Magazine's "Top 40 Defence Contractors" behind Thales Australia, ASC and BAE Systems Australia. As of 2016, the company's Managing Director is Michael Ward until May 30, 2024.