Link 22 Developments: Secure Military Communications

Introduction

Link 22, a secure digital radio system developed by NATO countries, continues to evolve as a critical component of military communications. This report highlights the latest advancements in Link 22 technology, integration efforts, defense partnerships, and strategic initiatives announced between September 30, 2024, and October 06, 2024.

Advancements in Secure Military Communications

Link 22 is designed to enhance secure communications for naval forces, providing beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capabilities without relying on satellites. Recent developments have focused on improving the system’s robustness in challenging radio frequency (RF) conditions. Enhanced coding and modulation techniques have been implemented to maintain connectivity, albeit with a trade-off in throughput.

Source: Rohde & Schwarz, LinkedIn

Integration of New Technologies

Rohde & Schwarz has been at the forefront of integrating Link 22 with their software-defined radios, ensuring compatibility with various modem types. The company’s M3SR family of radios, including the R&S Series 4100 HF and R&S Series 4400 UHF radios, have been successfully tested for error-free operation with Link 22. This integration protects customer investments by allowing existing radios to be upgraded to support Link 22.

Source: Rohde & Schwarz

Defense Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

The NILE (NATO Improved Link Eleven) program, which oversees Link 22 development, continues to expand its reach. Deliveries to non-NILE nations are managed through agreements with the NILE Program Management Office. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance interoperability among NATO and allied forces.

Source: Rohde & Schwarz

News from Defense Contractors

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has announced the integration of Link 22 support into its Tactical Data Link (TDL) solutions. This integration aims to provide greater interoperability and capability to the US military and its coalition partners. The addition of Link 22 to Curtiss-Wright’s product line simplifies TDL certification programs and user interface management.

Source: Defense Advancement

Training, Military Exercises, and Industry Conferences

Link 22 has been a focal point in various international conferences and workshops, where Rohde & Schwarz actively participates to contribute to the standardization and optimization of the system. These events provide a platform for sharing insights and advancements in tactical data link technologies.

Source: Rohde & Schwarz

Expert Insights

Experts emphasize the importance of Link 22 in modern military operations, particularly in environments where satellite communications are compromised. The system’s ability to adapt to changing communication structures and maintain secure links is crucial for mission success.

Source: LinkedIn

Conclusion

Link 22 continues to be a pivotal element in secure military communications, with ongoing advancements and integrations enhancing its capabilities. The collaboration between defense contractors and NATO countries ensures that Link 22 remains at the cutting edge of tactical data link technology.

References

• Rohde & Schwarz
• LinkedIn
• Defense Advancement

Link 22 Developments: September 23-29, 2024

Advancements in Secure Military Communications

During the last week of September 2024, significant advancements were made in the realm of secure military communications, particularly concerning the Link 22 digital radio system. Link 22, a NATO secure digital radio system, continues to evolve, providing enhanced interoperability and capability for military forces.

Integration of New Technologies

Recent updates have seen the integration of next-generation hardware and software architectures into Link 22 systems. These advancements include the use of software-defined radios and modems, which offer enhanced capabilities while maintaining operational reliability. The new technologies are designed to improve the efficiency and security of communications across various military platforms, including air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based tactical data systems.

Source: Defense Advancement

Defense Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

Defense contractors such as Curtiss-Wright and Leonardo DRS have been at the forefront of these developments. Curtiss-Wright announced the addition of Link 22 support to its suite of Tactical Data Link (TDL) solutions, which includes the TCG LinkPRO Tactical Data Link Processing Software, TCG Ground Tactical Data Link System, and TCG Battlefield Operations Support System. This integration aims to deliver greater interoperability and capability to the U.S. military and coalition partners.

Source: Curtiss-Wright Press Release

Training, Military Exercises, and Industry Conferences

Training and Simulation

Link 22 capabilities have been incorporated into training and simulation tools, providing military personnel with the necessary skills to operate and integrate these systems effectively. Curtiss-Wright’s products are widely used for verification, training, and simulation of TDL integrations, ensuring that military forces are well-prepared for operational deployments.

Source: Defense Advancement

Military Exercises

Recent military exercises have demonstrated the enhanced capabilities of Link 22. These exercises have highlighted the system’s ability to provide secure, beyond-line-of-sight communications, which are crucial for maintaining situational awareness and operational effectiveness in complex and hostile environments.

Source: Naval Technology

Industry Conferences

The International Data Link Symposium (IDLS) 2024, held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, featured demonstrations of the new Link 22 capabilities. Curtiss-Wright showcased the interoperability of Link 22 with other tactical data links such as Link 16, Link 11, and VMF. These demonstrations underscored the system’s ability to integrate seamlessly with existing military communication infrastructures.

Source: Curtiss-Wright Press Release

Expert Insights

Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, emphasized the growing interest in Link 22 capabilities from the U.S. Department of Defense and allied forces. He noted that the addition of Link 22 support means that customers can now use a trusted user interface to implement Link 22 integration programs, reducing the need for multiple systems and interfaces.

Source: Defense Advancement

Conclusion

The developments in Link 22 over the past week highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance secure military communications. The integration of new technologies, strategic defense partnerships, and comprehensive training and simulation programs are pivotal in ensuring that military forces are equipped with the best tools for maintaining operational superiority. As Link 22 continues to evolve, it will play a crucial role in the future of network-centric warfare and secure tactical communications.

Sources

• Curtiss-Wright Press Release
• Defense Advancement
• Naval Technology
• Defense Advancement

Latest Developments on Link 22: September 16-22, 2024

Advancements in Secure Military Communications

Link 22, a secure digital radio system used by NATO and allied military forces, continues to evolve with significant advancements in secure military communications. The system, which operates in the HF and UHF bands, provides beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications and is crucial for interconnecting air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based tactical data systems.

Recent developments have focused on enhancing interoperability and capability, ensuring that Link 22 remains a vital component of modern military communications infrastructure.

Integration of New Technologies

Leonardo DRS has successfully completed formal interoperability testing of its Link-22 Signal Processing Controller (SPC) within the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) Link-22 Network. This achievement ensures full interoperability with all NATO and allied partners, supporting operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific Command theater. The SPC solution is designed to meet current and emerging mission requirements, offering high performance and growth potential for future mission sets.

Utilizing next-generation hardware and software architecture, coupled with software-defined radio and modem technologies, Leonardo DRS provides enhanced capabilities while maintaining operational reliability.

Source: Seapower Magazine

Defense Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

Link 22’s development and deployment are the results of collaborative efforts among NATO member nations. The program, initially conducted by seven nations, now includes Spain, which replaced the Netherlands as a NILE nation. This collaboration ensures that Link 22 supports NATO and Allied warfare taskings in peacetime, crisis, and war.

Leonardo DRS continues to invest in Link 22 technology, providing users with high performance for today’s battlefield while offering capability and growth for future mission sets. The company’s commitment to interoperability across domains, platforms, and nations is evident in its ongoing efforts to enhance Link 22 capabilities.

Source: Epicos

Training, Military Exercises, and Industry Conferences

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has announced Link 22 support for its suite of Tactical Data Link (TDL) solutions, including the TCG LinkPRO Tactical Data Link Processing Software, TCG Ground Tactical Data Link System, and TCG Battlefield Operations Support System. These products are widely used for verification, training, and simulation of TDL integrations, as well as in operational deployments.

At the International Data Link Symposium (IDLS) 2022, Curtiss-Wright demonstrated the new Link 22 capabilities and interoperability, showcasing updates to current tactical data links. These demonstrations highlighted the seamless integration of Link 22 with other TDL systems, enabling simultaneous operations across multiple data links.

Source: Curtiss-Wright Press Release

Expert Insights

Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, emphasized the importance of Link 22 support across their tactical data link product family. He noted the increased interest in Link 22 TDL capabilities from the US Department of Defense and allied forces, highlighting the benefits of a unified user interface for implementing Link 22 integration programs.

Larry Ezell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems, expressed pride in providing a fully compliant Link 22 solution to allies worldwide. He emphasized the system’s readiness for current and emerging mission requirements, ensuring the best long-haul communications and situational awareness possible.

Source: Defense Advancement

Conclusion

The latest developments in Link 22 technology underscore the ongoing efforts to enhance secure military communications, integrate new technologies, and strengthen defense partnerships. With continued investments and successful interoperability testing, Link 22 remains a critical component of modern military operations, providing unprecedented situational awareness and communication capabilities across multiple domains.

Sources

• Seapower Magazine
• Epicos
• Curtiss-Wright Press Release
• Defense Advancement

Link 22 Developments: September 09-15, 2024

Advancements in Secure Military Communications

Link 22, a secure digital radio system used by NATO and allied military forces, has seen significant advancements in recent times. This system, which operates in the HF and UHF bands, is designed to provide beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, enhancing situational awareness and interoperability among coalition forces.

Recent developments have focused on improving the integration of Link 22 with existing tactical data links (TDLs) such as Link 16 and Link 11, as well as incorporating new technologies to enhance performance and reliability.

Integration of New Technologies

Leonardo DRS has successfully completed formal interoperability testing of its Link-22 Signal Processing Controller (SPC) within the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) Link-22 Network. This testing ensures compliance with NATO standards, allowing for seamless integration with other NATO and allied systems. The SPC utilizes next-generation hardware and software architecture, including software-defined radio and modem technologies, to offer enhanced capabilities while maintaining operational reliability.

According to Larry Ezell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems, “These systems are positioned for current and emerging mission requirements and the signal processor controllers ensure U.S. and allied forces have the best long-haul communications and situational awareness possible.”

Source: Seapower Magazine

Defense Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

The Link 22 program continues to be a collaborative effort among NATO and allied nations. The program, initially conducted by seven nations under a memorandum of understanding (MOU), now includes Spain, which replaced the Netherlands as a NILE nation. This collaboration aims to enhance joint and coalition communications across various domains, including surface, subsurface, land, and air.

Leonardo DRS has delivered over 1,100 Link-22-capable SPCs and more than 3,000 Link-11 Data Terminal Sets to date, demonstrating the widespread adoption and trust in their technology. The company continues to invest in Link-22 technology to ensure high performance for today’s battlefield while offering growth potential for future mission sets.

Source: Epicos

Training, Military Exercises, and Industry Conferences

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has announced the addition of Link 22 support to its suite of TDL solutions, including the TCG LinkPRO Tactical Data Link Processing Software, TCG Ground Tactical Data Link System, and TCG Battlefield Operations Support System. This integration aims to deliver greater interoperability and capability to the U.S. military and coalition partners.

At the International Data Link Symposium (IDLS) 2022, Curtiss-Wright demonstrated the new Link 22 capabilities and interoperability, showcasing updates to current tactical data links. These demonstrations highlighted the company’s commitment to providing advanced training and simulation tools for TDL integrations.

Source: Curtiss-Wright Press Release

Expert Insights

Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, emphasized the importance of Link 22 support across their tactical data link product family. He stated, “We are seeing greatly increased interest in Link 22 TDL capabilities from the US DoD and our allies. For our customers, the addition of Link 22 support means that the same superior user interface they’ve come to trust can now be used to implement Link 22 integration programs.”

These advancements underscore the ongoing efforts to enhance secure military communications, ensuring that NATO and allied forces remain well-equipped to handle current and future operational challenges.

Source: Defense Advancement

Conclusion

The recent developments in Link 22 technology highlight the continuous efforts to improve secure military communications and interoperability among NATO and allied forces. The integration of new technologies, strategic defense partnerships, and advanced training and simulation tools are pivotal in ensuring that military forces are prepared for current and future mission requirements.

Link 22 Developments: September 02-08, 2024

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in Link 22, a secure digital radio system, announced between September 02, 2024, and September 08, 2024. The report covers advancements in secure military communications, integration of new technologies, defense partnerships, and strategic initiatives. It also highlights news from defense contractors, training, military exercises, and industry conferences.

Advancements in Secure Military Communications

Link 22 continues to be a critical component in enhancing secure military communications across various domains. The system provides beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, interconnecting air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based tactical data systems. Recent developments have focused on improving interoperability and situational awareness for NATO and allied forces.

Leonardo DRS has successfully completed formal interoperability testing of its Link-22 Signal Processing Controller (SPC) within the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) Link-22 Network. This compliance ensures full interoperability with NATO and allied partners, supporting operations and exercises globally, particularly in the INDOPACOM theater.

Source: Military Embedded Systems

Integration of New Technologies

Leonardo DRS has integrated next-generation hardware and software architecture into its Link-22 SPC solution. The use of software-defined radio and modem technologies enhances the system’s capabilities while maintaining operational reliability. The company has delivered over 1,100 Link-22-capable SPCs and more than 3,000 Link-11 Data Terminal Sets to date, ensuring high performance for current and future mission requirements.

Source: Defense Daily

Defense Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives

Partnerships remain a cornerstone of the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) strategy. The DOD emphasizes the importance of synchronizing efforts across agencies and with foreign partners to maintain an asymmetric advantage in cybersecurity and secure communications. The recent Arctic Strategy highlights the need for enhanced domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as improved communications architecture for command and control.

Source: Defense.gov

News from Defense Contractors

Leonardo DRS has positioned its Link-22 SPC solution for current and emerging mission requirements. The system’s spare memory and additional processing power allow for future advancements. The company’s commitment to investing in Link-22 technology ensures that military services worldwide can depend on it for BLOS communications and interoperability across domains and platforms.

Source: Epicos

Training and Military Exercises

The DOD’s 2024 Arctic Strategy includes increased operations and military exercises in the Arctic region. These exercises are crucial for ensuring that the joint force is equipped and prepared to operate in the unique Arctic environment. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of engaging with allies and partners to strengthen U.S. security in the region.

Source: Defense.gov

Industry Conferences

At the Billington Cybersecurity Summit in Washington, Army Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman highlighted the critical role of partnerships in the DOD’s proactive cyber defense strategy. The demand for small team deployments to carry out defense operations continues to grow, underscoring the importance of leveraging technology and partnerships to scale global engagements.

Source: MilitarySpot.com

Expert Insights

Su Tzu-Yun, a research fellow at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, emphasized that Link-22’s long-distance transmission capability and automatic grouping function significantly improve combat effectiveness. The system’s ability to map out enemy and friendly forces’ positions via a common operational picture enhances strategic, operational, and tactical applications.

Source: Taipei Times

Conclusion

The latest developments in Link 22 highlight significant advancements in secure military communications, integration of new technologies, and strategic defense partnerships. These efforts ensure that NATO and allied forces maintain a robust and interoperable communication network, enhancing situational awareness and combat effectiveness across various domains.