CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, 22 Feb. 2006. Avionics engineers at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, flight tested miniaturized Weapon Data Link (WDL) integrated with the U.S. Department of Defense's new Weapon Data Link Network Interface Control Document (WDLN ICD). The WDLN demonstration was conducted by Boeing under contract with the U.S. Air Force Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
The flight test was to demonstrate integration of a set of standard data link messages to communicate information to and from the weapon. Tests show that the messages can be transmitted and received through the existing Link-16 networks and flow to appropriate agencies, and that the data link can be sized to fit into a weapons application.
During the live flight test demonstration, Link-16 Joint Information Distribution System (JTIDS) equipment relayed In-Flight Target Update (IFTU) information to and from a King Air test aircraft. Rockwell Collins' 50-cubic-inch multi-mode weapon data link terminal received the updates and transmitted position information. Rockwell Collins also demonstrated two-way UHF communications with identical hardware. The Weapon Data Link currently has the capability of being programmed with three different waveforms.
"WDL provides a cost-effective, low-risk data link solution for future weapon systems," says Bruce King, vice president and general manager, Communication Systems for Rockwell Collins. "The integrated, networked weapon data link will transform weapon capabilities by providing moving target hit and target re-assignment."
For more information contact Rockwell Collins online at www.rockwellcollins.com.
