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Tactical common data link (TCDL)
Today's military challenges require forces to operate in hostile environments. Rather than setting up fixed lines of communication that are vulnerable to enemy attack, communication networks must be mobile and flexible, allowing forces to share information on the move.
To achieve information dominance, called for in Joint Vision 2020, wideband data must be exchanged rapidly and accurately through battlefield networks. This allows friendly forces to quickly assess and effectively respond to threats.
BAE Systems and Harris Corporation have teamed together as a DoD certified tactical common data link (TCDL) supplier. TCDL terminals provide the critical wideband data link required for real-time situational awareness, as well as real-time sensor and targeting data to tactical commanders.
TCDL is designed and specified to be common data link- (CDL) compliant in order to provide interoperability with other DoD and NATO CDL systems. A TCDL system consists of an airborne data terminal (ADT) and a ground or surface data terminal (GDT/SDT). BAE Systems' commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) -based, open systems architecture designs maximize commonality between air and surface terminals.
A modular, open systems architecture using programming technology is the cornerstone of the BAE Systems TCDL solution. This maximizes interoperability and operational flexibility as we market into all three DoD services.
TCDL has proven its effectiveness in transmitting encrypted wideband data to command and control centers. Operating on the Predator UAV, as well as in the tactical UAV risk reduction, the TCDL has demonstrated high data rate point-to-point communication at 10.71Mbps. As a result of ongoing IRAD and the U.S. Navy LAMPS program, these rates will expand to 45 and 274 Mbps.
Further, TCDL has demonstrated extended communication range in the extended littoral battlefield (ELB) exercise as far as 300 miles. This dramatically reduced sensor to C2 to shooter timelines, and strengthened the U.S. Navy's WARNET. Our wideband data link provides immediately available operational capability, allowing distributed collaborative planning and situational awareness to the warfighter. These data link waveforms allow friendly forces to exchange vastly increased quality and quantity of data.
Our success validates the maturity and capability of our adaptive, scalable wideband networking solutions.
