How is Tactical Data Link Used in Military Operations?
Tactical data links are used to ensure effective communication in military operations. During an operation, tactical data links are used to enable real-time data sharing, co-ordination and command and control between different military platforms.
Tactical data links are one of the most important communication tools used to increase the effectiveness of modern military operations, improve command and control and ensure security.
Tactical Data Links (TDLs) are network structures that have become an integral part of today's operational concept, enabling land, naval and air platforms and command centres to exchange instant information during daily operations. The aim is to ensure that a large number of platforms communicate with each other instantaneously in a way to meet the daily operation needs without interruption. This communication is provided by using TDL (Link-11, Link-16, Link-22, JREAP, VMF) between all land, sea, air platforms and elements. However, with the increase of the elements participating in the operation and information sharing needs, providing this uninterrupted communication is becoming a more difficult problem to solve day by day.
Technical Specifications
- Multiple TDL Planning Modules
- Online / Offline planning
- Information Exchange Needs (IEN)
- OPTASKLINK production
- Network Design Request Module
- Design Proposal and Design Library
- Platform Specific Parameters
- Time Interval Block Assignment
- Network Design Validation
- Frequency Clearance Agreement
- TSDF Calculation
- Generating and Analysing Network Design File (INDE)
- Planning and Design verification simulator
- Scenario display at different speeds
- OPTASKLINK and Network Design Change Proposal
- Link 11, Link 16, Link 22 management
- Time Interval Management
- Network Connection Status Monitoring
- Design Management
- Time Management
- Geographic Information Management
- 2 Dimension - 3 Dimension Imaging
- Message Analyses and Filters
- Relaying and Data Transmission Management
- Message Decoding and Filtering
- Data Recording / Replay
- Automatic Analysis
- Statistical Reporting
- Graphical and Numerical Report Generation
How is a tactical data link used in a military operation?
Tactical data links are used to ensure effective communication in military operations. During an operation, tactical data links are used to enable real-time data sharing, coordination and command and control between different military platforms. Here are some examples of how tactical data link can be used during an operation:
How does Link 16 work?
Link-16 data is not transmitted at a specific frequency, but the system uses 51 different frequencies over a frequency bandwidth of 969 to 1206 MHz. For better camouflage of the encrypted signal, the transmission frequency is changed every 13 microseconds, (77.800 hops per second).
Troop Coordination:
Tactical data links enable real-time data sharing between troops on the ground, air and naval platforms, reconnaissance and surveillance units and command centres. In this way, coordination between units increases and operations are conducted more effectively.
Air Defence:
Air defence systems can use tactical data links to detect and react to air threats. Air threats can be detected and tracked between different air defence systems, allowing air defence systems to operate more effectively.
Air Operations:
Fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles can access data such as real-time weather, target information and enemy movements through tactical data links. This data enables better in-flight decisions to be made and targets to be hit more precisely.
Naval Operations:
Naval ships and submarines can communicate with other ships during naval operations using tactical data links. Data such as hazard sharing, position information and target information can be shared between ships.
Reconnaissance and Surveillance:
Images, data and target tracking information received through tactical data links using advanced technology sensors and surveillance systems are transmitted to the operational command centre or other units. This provides real-time reconnaissance and surveillance.
Emergencies and Recovery:
Tactical data links can help better coordinate field emergencies and rescue operations. Critical information can be shared, such as locating a missing soldier or crew member.
Tactical data links ensure the effective use of equipment in military operations, increasing coordination and communication between military units and achieving successful results.
In all kinds of air operations, which systems will use which data transmission lines and how they will use them are prepared at the planning stage and sent to the implementers. Other data transmission lines are not taken into consideration for security reasons. In other words, information such as who will talk to whom, where, when and in what form and in which order this information transfer will take place is planned and this planning is followed during the operation.
Today, many countries are endeavouring to develop a national TDL. The aim here is to eliminate the limitations and weaknesses of the existing TDL and communication systems and to have a system that will enable the use of national crypto, be resistant to electronic jamming and regional threats and meet national operational requirements.
Since the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have similar requirements, the development of a national TDL system is of critical importance. It is imperative that the National Tactical Data Link System, which should be developed with similar motivations, responds to the needs of the TAF in the medium and long term, increases the operational capability and effectiveness of the TAF in a changing threat environment, and reduces foreign dependency in terms of critical subsystems and technologies.
