Tactical data link

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IT technicians study TDL data on a computer terminal (US Naval Network and Space Operations Command) in a June 2004 image US Navy 040614-N-7952W-001 Information Systems Technician 1st Class Thomas Dull, left, Lt. Stella Nealy, center, and Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Eduardo Pallanes study a computer monitor at Naval Network and Space.jpg
IT technicians study TDL data on a computer terminal (US Naval Network and Space Operations Command) in a June 2004 image

A tactical data link (TDL) uses a data link standard in order to provide communication via radio waves or cable used by NATO nations. All military C3 systems use standardized TDL to transmit, relay and receive tactical data.

Contents

Multi-TDL network (MTN) refers to the network of similar and dissimilar TDLs integrated through gateways, translators, and correlators to bring the common tactical picture and/or common operational picture together.

Change of terminology

The term tactical digital information link (TADIL) was made obsolete (per DISA guidance) and is now more commonly seen as tactical data link (TDL).

TDLs are characterized by their standard message and transmission formats. This is usually written as <Message Format>/<Transmission Format>.

TDL standards in NATO

In NATO, tactical data link standards are being developed by the Data Link Working Group (DLWG) of the Information Systems Sub-Committee (ISSC) in line with the appropriate STANAG.

In NATO, there exist tactical data link standards as follows:

Link
No
STANAGWorking TitleFinal title / descriptionCommuni-
cation
Gene-
ration
Comments
15501NATO data link between
Air Defence Main Control Centres
Link 1
Tactical Data Exchange for Air Defence
Point-to-point1st
S–Series
Ground Link between NADGE entities limited and not secure
2Radar to Control Centre Data Link1stCancelled (includes in Link 1)
3Control Centre to higher HQ Data LinksSHOC Early Warning SystemPoint-to-point1stSlow Speed Warning Link from evaluation centres to SHAPE
45504Ground to Air Data Link Link 4
TDL for the Control of Military aircraft
Point-to-point1st
C/R–Series
Compatible to US TADIL–C to be operated in NATO UHF (225–400 MHz) RF band
5Fast HF Automatic Link Broadcast 1stCancelled (see Link 11)
65506
(Draft)
Missile Base to Control Centre LinkLink 6 –
(NADGE Link) SAM Automatic Data Link
Point-to-point1stDraft STANAG (US MBDL, ATDL–1, PADIL)
75507
(Draft)
ATC / Defence LinkLink 7 –
TDL for ATC
Point-to-point1st
8HF Automatic LinkBroadcast1stCancelled (see Link 1)
9SOC / Airbase Link1st
105510Ship – Ship LinkLink 10 – Maritime
Tactical Data Exchange
Broadcast2nd
M–Series
STANAG cancelled (was used by BE, NL and UK)
115511Fast HF Automatic Link Link 11
Maritime Tactical Data Exchange
Broadcast2nd
M–Series
Compatible to US TADIL–A to be operated in the HF & NATO UHF RF bands
11B5511
(Vol. II)
Link 11B –
Tactical Data Exchange
Point-to-point2nd
M–Series
Compatible to the US TADIL–B Ground to Ground TDL
12Fast HF Automatic LinkCancelled (see Link 11)
13HF Automatic LinkBroadcastCancelled (see Link 11)
145514Slow Semi–Automatic LinkLink 14 –
Maritime TDL
Broadcast1st
D/M/S/E–Series
Ship–Ship & Ship–Shore (only few applications)
15Slow Semi–Automatic LinkShip–Ship, Cancelled
165516High Capacity, ECM Resistant, Multifunctional, TDMA Link Link 16
ECM Resistant Tactical Data Exchange
Broadcast3rd
J–Series
Compatible to US TADIL–J
(STANAG 4175 – Technical Characteristics of MIDS)
215521
(Draft)
Link in support of ACCS – (LISA)Point-to-point3rd
J–Series
Under development (planned to replace Link 1 and Link 11B)
225522
(Draft)
NATO Improved Link 11 – (NILE) Link 22 3rd
J–Series
Under development (planned to replace Link 11)
5601Standard for Interface of Data Links 1, 11, 11B, and 14 through a buffer see AdalP 12
5602 Standard Interface for Multiple Platform Link Evaluation (SIMPLE) Enables transmission of J-Series (TADIL-J) messages over IP-based protocols
MIL-STD-60205616Standard for data forwarding between tactical data systems employing Links 11/11B and tactical data systems employing Link 16MIL-STD-6020, DoD Interoperability Standard: Data Forwarding between TDLs
IJMSECM Resistant Communication System (ERCS) IJMS – Interim JTIDS/MIDS Message SpecificationBroadcast2nd, M–SeriesInterim Data Link Standard to be replaced by Link 16
SADLSituational Awareness Data LinkSADL – Situational Awareness Data LinkBroadcast1st, K-Series
2nd, K/J–Series
Data link adopted from EPLRS to provide A-10s and F-16s data link capability air-to-ground and air-to-air

See also

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