Today’s warfighters have only moments to identify allies from enemies before engaging in the chaos of combat.
This was in large part the reason Link 16 was created – to provide real-time situational awareness across the battlespace.
Link 16 is a standardized communications system used by U.S., NATO, and Coalition forces for transmitting and exchanging real-time tactical data using links between allied military network participants, also known as TADIL-J.
Link 16 Training Programs and Related TDL Course Offering by Tonex
It uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to provide multiple, simultaneous communication paths through different nets. Considered the standard by which other systems are measured for secure, airborne situational awareness, Link 16 has been credited by the U.S. Air Force as a key factor for saving lives in multiple theaters due to the increased situational awareness the system provides.
Unlike past communications link waveforms, Link 16 improves security, jam resistance and situational awareness, while also increasing data throughput and the capacity of information exchanged. In addition, Link 16 provides secure voice capability, relative navigation capability, and precise participant location and identification.
Link 16 data is transmitted via Link 16 terminals found in a range of platforms, including aircraft, surface ships, ground vehicles, missile defense systems, networked weapons, and command and control networks.
These terminals can operate Link 16 capabilities exclusively or can combine Link 16 functions with other advanced military waveforms. To assure continuous secure and uninterrupted communications, compulsory Link 16 protocol updates are implemented as needed across the network, with system sunset dates pre-announced to all network participants so they can update their various platforms’ equipment and procedures effectively.
With Link 16 communications, you can now have a 360-degree view with all operators and assets accounted for in the Common Operating Picture.
That means more warfighters on more platforms with the most secure, jam-resistant Link 16 communications so joint and allied forces have the ability to exchange situational awareness data (friendly and enemy) and command and control information in real time.
Benefits of Link 16 include:
- Allows for real-time transfer of combat data, voice communications, imagery, and relative navigation information between dispersed battle elements
- Facilitates the exchange of data over a common communication link, allowing participants to obtain and share situational awareness information
- Facilitates the exchange of sensor information, enabling command and control centers to create COPs
- Enables information dissemination from command and control centers and warfighters, as well as information exchanges between warfighters
Want to learn more about Link 16? Tonex offers nearly a dozen courses in Link 16 Training, including:
Advanced Link 16 Training (3 days)
Link 16 Training for Managers (3 days)
Tactical Data Link Training Crash Course (4 days)
Link 16 and MIDS Training Bootcamp (5 days)
Visible Message Format (VMF) Training Bootcamp (4 days)
Our Link 16 courses are designed by Link 16 experts in the field, and this allows our workshops to excel in certain topics that only professionals in these specialized areas would understand.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.