Navy asks industry for help in developing a new generation of military tactical data links

ARLINGTON, Va., 3 May 2011.Military communications experts in the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va., are asking industry to develop technology for the next generation of military tactical data links to replace or augment existing data links like Link-16, the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Cooperative Engagement Capability-Data Distribution System (CEC-DDS).ONR released a broad agency announcement (ONRBAA11-021) late last week for the Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) program to develop tactical data link technology to complement existing military data links to coordinate Navy weapons and sensors among manned and unmanned aircraft, surface ships, submarines, and ground forces.ONR is asking to develop high-bandwidth auto-configuring and self-adapting network technologies that offer low-latency communications for integrated sensing and cooperative integrated fire control. ATDL technologies must resist attempts to jam them, and involve new approaches for wideband communications and antenna techniques that are effective across a variety of platforms.

Data link technologies developed in the ATDL program also develop technologies that improve military communications networks at the forward edges of battlefield areas. These technologies should be mature enough for future acquisition programs.

Among the goals of the ATDL program is to increase the number of battlefield nodes that can be connected, as well as increase throughput of tactical data links to improve distributed command and control, situational awareness, navigation, and cooperative integrated fire control. The idea is to improve connectivity and collaboration among shooters, sensors, and weapons, Navy officials say.

Current tactical communication capabilities have limited throughput and scalability, insufficient anti-jam) and low probability of exploitation capability, as well as unacceptable delay times in communications and high wait times to join the network, Navy officials say.

Navy leaders are particularly interested in advanced tactical data link capability for the E-2D Hawkeye carrier-based maritime surveillance aircraft, the F/A-18G Growler electronic warfare jet, the F-35 joint strike fighter, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Companies interested in participating in the ATDL program should respond to ONR no later than 15 June 2011. For questions or concerns, contact ONR's Gordon Jaquith by phone at 703-696-7831, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Also contact the Navy's Vera Carroll by phone at 703-696-2610, or by e-mail at [email protected].

More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/ONR/ONR/ONRBAA11-021/listing.html.