Length: 3 Days
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Link 16 Engineering, Design and Testing Training

Link 16

Link 16 Engineering, Design and Testing Training is a 3-day practical training course covering engineering and design, testing and operations of Link 16 Tactical Data Link (TDL).

It will provide knowledge to assist operators, users, and engineers in developing, producing, operating, and sustaining Link 16 TDL system and capabilities on multiple platforms and tactical assets. Link 16 engineering and testing is an integral part of the Systems Engineering Process (SEP) which identifies levels of performance and assists the Link 16 developer in correcting deficiencies.

Link 16 Design, Engineering and Testing Training enables the Link 16 engineering, design, testing and certification and identifies the limitations (technical or operational), Critical Operational Issues (COI) of the Link 16 system under testing so that they can be resolved prior to operation and deployment.

For over 30 years TONEX has supported land, air and maritime military operations, defense organizations and government agencies around the world to deliver situational awareness consulting and training and enhanced operating effectiveness of mission critical TDL systems.  Our team of skilled instructors, consultants and TDL experts assist participants on all aspects of the TDL engineering, design and testing in addition to Link 16 lifecycle processes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Link 16 Engineering, Design and Testing training, the participants will be able to:

  • Explain the basic principles and concepts of Tactical Data Links (TDLs) and Link 16
  • Describe the key concepts, features and mechanisms behind Link 16 engineering, design, and evaluation
  • Illustrate Link 16 deployment scenarios on multiple platforms and tactical assets
  • List the basic principles of Link 16 engineering, design, testing, evaluation procedures, and methods
  • Perform Link 16 engineering, design, testing and operations

Who Should Attend?

  • Link 16 and other TDL operators and users
  • Link 16 Technical Managers
  • Link 16 Engineers and Technicians
  • Link 16 Project Managers
  • Link 16 Network Engineers
  • Link 16 Analysts
  • Link 16 Cybersecurity Professionals
  • Link 16 Operational Test Staff

Course Agenda

Overview of Link 16

  • Introduction to Link 16
  • Link 16 Architecture
  • Link 16 Frequencies
  • The Link 16 J-series Message
  • Link 16 Terminals
  • Data and Voice Transmission
  • Transmission and Reception
  • Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Architecture
  • TDMA and the Link 16 Network
  • Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Features and Functions of the Link 16 Network

  • Network Participation Groups (NPGs)
  • Time Slot Assignments
  • Network Roles
  • Network Entry
  • Precise Participant Location and Identification (PPLI)
  • Relays
  • Communications Security
  • Multinetting
  • Range Extension Techniques
  • Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP)

Developing a Link 16 Solution is Only Half the Battle

  • Building your Link 16 Solution
  • Testing and Validating your Solution
  • Link 16 test and Certification
  • Testing Link 16 Solutions and Real-World Simulations
  • Overview of Mission Scenarios
  • Operational Overhead of Scripting and Terminal initialization

Engineering Link 16 Solutions

  • Systems Engineering Life-Cycle Building Blocks for Link 16 Systems
  • Link 16 Requirements Engineering and System Architecture
  • Link 16 User Interfaces
  • Overview of Applicable DoD Symbology and Interfaces
  • Link 16 System Design and Development
  • Link 16 Systems Integration
  • Link 16 Test and Evaluation
  • Link 16 Verification and Validation
  • Other Link 16 Life-Cycle Building Blocks

Engineering Changes to Link 16 Equipment

  • DoD Link 16 Features Performance
  • Systems Engineering Life-Cycle Building Blocks for Link 16 Systems
  • Interference Protection Features (IPF)
  • Link 16 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Features
  • Link 16 Terminal EMC Features Certification
  • Platform Integration Of Link 16 Equipment 1
  • Frequency Assignments
  • Features Audit
  • Information Requirements

Link 16 Acquisition Systems Engineering

  • DOTMLPF (Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel and Facilities)
  • Interoperability
  • IOA (Interoperability Assessment)
  • IOC (Initial Operating Capability)
  • IOE (Interoperability Evaluation
  • IOM (Interoperability Matrix)
  • IPT (Integrated Process Team)
  • Link 16 Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E)
  • Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)
  • Link 16 Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)
  • Link 16 Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E)
  • Link 16 Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
  • Link 16 Operational Assessment (OA)

Link 16 Interoperability Management and Certification

  • Systems engineering approaches
  • Tools for achieving effective interoperability in a cost-effective manner
  • Configuration Management
  • Standards Management
  • Standards Development
  • Requirements Specification
  • Verification and Validation
  • Joint Certification Process
  • Tools/Products

Best Link 16 Engineering, Design and Testing Practices and Lessons Learned

  • Link 16 Testing Policy Structure and Oversight Mechanisms
  • Link 16 Testing Process
  • Link 16 Testing Test – Related Artifacts
  • Link 16 Test & Evaluation
  • Link 16 Integrated Testing
  • Link 16 Test Resources
  • Multi-Service and Joint TDL Testing
  • Link 16 Testing the Special Cases

Platform Link 16 Data Exchange Example for Different Platforms, Systems and ISR Assets 

  • E-3 (30/35)
  • E-3 (40/45)
  • E-8
  • F-15
  • F-16
  • F-18
  • F-35
  • B-52
  • C-130J

Hands-On Exercises

  • Develop a High-Level Link 16 Use Case
  • Appearance of Tactical Symbols
  • Appearance of Tactical Geographic
  • C2 (Command and Control)
  • Combat effectiveness
  • Friend
  • Hostile
  • Joint military symbology
  • Meteorological symbology
  • Signals intelligence (SIGINT)
  • Tracks
  • Source Track Number (STN)
  • Joker: A friendly track acting as a suspect for exercise purposes
  • Kilo: A friendly track of special interest
  • Height above/below terrain surface
  • Estimating track position

Aircraft  (UAS) Link 16 Configuration Overview

  • Datalink Selection
  • Example of Datalink Initialization Pages
  • Link 16 Initialization
  • Voice Call Sign
  • Voice Call Sign Entry
  • Link 16 Mission Assignments
  • Command and Control Messages
  • C2 Air Mission
  • J12.0: Mission Assignment
  • Assignment On Horizontal Situation Display (HSD)
  • Link 16 Air Track Message Exchange
  • C2 Correlation
  • Correlation Example
  • Reception of a J12.5 correlation
  • Correlated Fire Control Radar (FCR)
  • Track
  • MIDS FCR Datalink Display Options

Capability Requirements Examples

  • Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Link 16 tactical networking capability to MQ-8C unmanned helicopters
  • J2
  • J3
  • J6
  • J7
  • J10
  • J13
  • J15
  • J31

Develop a Link 16 System Test Plan

  • Writing a test validation plan and summary report
  • Defining the test metrics
  • Plan, Analyze and implement Link system certification models

 

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