Link 22 Developments: February 2025
Executive Summary: Recent advancements in Link 22 have significantly enhanced secure military communications through improved interoperability and integration with cutting-edge technologies. Strategic defense partnerships and initiatives have been bolstered, with key industry players actively participating in testing and international collaborations. These developments ensure robust situational awareness and operational capacity across various military domains.
Advancements in Secure Military Communications
Link 22, a NATO secure digital radio system, continues to evolve as a critical component in military communications. The system provides beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capabilities in the HF and UHF bands, enabling seamless data exchange across air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based tactical systems. Recent updates have focused on enhancing interoperability and expanding the system’s operational scope, which is crucial for joint and coalition operations. These enhancements ensure reliable connectivity even in challenging radio frequency conditions, thereby maintaining operational capacity and supporting mission success.
Advanced coding and modulation techniques have been employed to improve the system’s robustness in poor radio frequency conditions. This ensures reliable connectivity even when traditional communication methods might fail, thereby maintaining operational capacity and supporting mission success.
Integration of New Technologies
Recent developments have focused on integrating Link 22 with cutting-edge technologies to enhance its functionality. The system now supports interoperability across various military platforms, including sea, air, and land domains. This integration facilitates the exchange of tactical data and access to the Electronic Warfare domain, Command & Control orders, and Free Text, significantly improving situational awareness and operational coordination.
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 success illustrates that Leonardo DRS SPCs are compliant with Link-22 Block Cycle 9 specifications for current and emerging mission requirements for users around the world.
Defense Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives
SCYTALYS S.A. has secured two contracts to provide Link-22 connectivity and In-Service support for Canada’s TIC3 Air Project (LoE 4). These contracts, valued at approximately USD $9.7 million, mark a pivotal step in enhancing Canada’s tactical data link capabilities and supporting a Recognized Air Picture (RAP) through the modern Link-22 networks. The project includes the integration of a new and secure deployable Link-22 TDL system with present, as well as new infrastructure and networks.
During the RIMPAC exercise, Link 22 successfully connected ten platforms across seven nations, demonstrating the effectiveness of Link 22 and the NILE Technical Team’s role in advancing tactical communication. This achievement marked a substantial leap forward from the Link 22 connections made during RIMPAC 2022.
News from Defense Contractors and Industry Conferences
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has announced Link 22 support for its proven suite of Tactical Data Link (TDL) solutions to deliver greater interoperability and capability to the US military and coalition partners. The new Link 22 capability is now available with Curtiss-Wright’s TCG LinkPRO Tactical Data Link Processing Software, TCG Ground Tactical Data Link System, and TCG Battlefield Operations Support System TDL testing and platform integration solution.
Leonardo DRS’ Link-22 SPC solution is well-positioned for current missions and is primed to accept additional missions due to its spare memory and additional processing power. Utilizing next-generation hardware and software architecture, coupled with software-defined radio and software-defined modem technologies, the company is able to offer enhanced capabilities while retaining look, feel, and operational reliability.
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