Link-16

[Johare]

Hey all,

I'm new to the Defense industry and actually recently started my first job at LM working for the Po-sheng Program which is a command and control program for taiwan national defense. I'm performing a subcontracts role for the program and am slowly learning about the technologies used. Could anyone help me get up to speed and tell me a little more about link-16. Because i'm new i really haven't put two and two together but woudl be happy to share any info your interested in.

[StingrayOZ]

What inparticular do you wish to know..

Details about the protocol, how it works, what does it do? A public forum may not be able to provide you with specific technical details you require.

[windscorpion]

The nitty gritty is probably something you are going to have to look up in specialist publications, journals and books but web wise why not start here and start googling anything of interest,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_16

[Salty Dog]

The nitty gritty is probably something you are going to have to look up in specialist publications, journals and books but web wise why not start here and start googling anything of interest,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_16

There is a link in the wiki page to a "TADIL J" reference guide for the US DoD services. Good place to start as well.

You most likely will concentrate on the hardware for Link-16 for the time being. If Taiwan plans to acquire a Link-16, the hardware is easy. The cryptographic equipment or "crypto" is another matter. Without the crypto you can not go secure with other Link-16 units. If Taiwan already has all the agreements and approvals in place for the crypto, then it should be okay. If not, this could take time, especially for NATO crypto.

[gf0012-aust]

Hey all,

I'm new to the Defense industry and actually recently started my first job at LM working for the Po-sheng Program which is a command and control program for taiwan national defense. I'm performing a subcontracts role for the program and am slowly learning about the technologies used. Could anyone help me get up to speed and tell me a little more about link-16. Because i'm new i really haven't put two and two together but woudl be happy to share any info your interested in.


If you're subbing on a Taiwanese Defence project then you should direct your questions to people in the CS Institute.... they will be more than helpful, and your industry affiliations if relevant and active (and with approp clearances) will then determine how much you can be told.

I would stay away from non specialist references - they are usually rubbish and non supportable.

[kato]

There's a pdf floating around of a dissertation about the bandwidth limitations of various NATO-standard datalinks, including TADIL J and such. Can be found with google with some searching. Extensively details the packet structure of these datalink protocols, only covers the crypto parts as "black box" systems.
That's pretty much the maximum you can get on such protocols without clearance.

[sierrahotel]

All you need is to find those documents:
NATO STANAG 5516 (Standarizaton Agreement for L-16,Unclassified)
NATO ADatP-16 (Standard Operating Procedures for L-16 ,Unclassified)
or the US MIL STD 6016.They will provide you with any detail about Link-16.

[AegisFC]

They hired you without you having either no previous experience with Link 16, and they didn't give you training after hiring you?
Strange...

[Systems Adict]

LINK-16...?

How about starting with the basics...(after all I'm renowned for stating the obvious...):cool:

LINK, is a data transfer system which relays "real time" track data information from one ship to another. It usually does this via HF radio waves, & sends the data in "packets".

The idea is that a group of ships can utilise this data to get "a big picture "of the area they are in, by only having 1 ship transmitting on all systems gathering the data, then relaying it across the airwaves to other ships in the group, who may be closer to the action...

The type of information that is sent is the track data from the command system of the warship. This can be for multiple groups of tracks (quantities can be 50 or more) & will contain for example, if it was for an aircraft, target aircraft's speed, height & direction.

This data is fed from the command system to the LINK unit which breaks that data down into manageable packets. These are then encrypted & transmitted to other equipped ships.

The data is received, decrypted & fed to the command system. To help differentiate the tracks, it's usually written into the software of the command system to colour the tracks differently, or possibly even assign-ate them with a circle.

The trick is then for the command system on the 2nd ship to correlate the data.

In theory, it could mean that a ship 40-50 miles off the coast gathering data, can "transmit" this to a ship 12 miles off the coast. This data can then be used to plot solutions for missile attacks, etc.

LINK-16 is obviously one of the more up to date of the systems that are in service at the moment, and means that because of the technological advances over the last 10-15 years, the data transfer volume can be larger & the encryption more secure than say LINK-11.

Hope this helps

Systems Adict

[Feanor]

So it's essentially a datalink for ships?

[AegisFC]

So it's essentially a datalink for ships?

No, Army units, AIr Force units, and Naval aircraft all use it.

[barra]

LINK-16...?

How about starting with the basics...(after all I'm renowned for stating the obvious...):cool:

LINK, is a data transfer system which relays "real time" track data information from one ship to another. It usually does this via HF radio waves, & sends the data in "packets".

The idea is that a group of ships can utilise this data to get "a big picture "of the area they are in, by only having 1 ship transmitting on all systems gathering the data, then relaying it across the airwaves to other ships in the group, who may be closer to the action...

The type of information that is sent is the track data from the command system of the warship. This can be for multiple groups of tracks (quantities can be 50 or more) & will contain for example, if it was for an aircraft, target aircraft's speed, height & direction.

This data is fed from the command system to the LINK unit which breaks that data down into manageable packets. These are then encrypted & transmitted to other equipped ships.

The data is received, decrypted & fed to the command system. To help differentiate the tracks, it's usually written into the software of the command system to colour the tracks differently, or possibly even assign-ate them with a circle.

The trick is then for the command system on the 2nd ship to correlate the data.

In theory, it could mean that a ship 40-50 miles off the coast gathering data, can "transmit" this to a ship 12 miles off the coast. This data can then be used to plot solutions for missile attacks, etc.

LINK-16 is obviously one of the more up to date of the systems that are in service at the moment, and means that because of the technological advances over the last 10-15 years, the data transfer volume can be larger & the encryption more secure than say LINK-11.

Hope this helps

Systems Adict

LINK 16 uses the UHF band of frequencies to operate on, not HF. As a UHF system it is restricted to "line of sight" and so relies on the use of airborne platforms to cover large areas. You can read all the blurbs about L16 that tell you its secure, jam resistant etc etc so I won't go into that. The main difference between L16 and L11 is that L16 is a nodeless system that does not rely on all players participating. A L16 network can lose multiple players, except the Network Time Reference (NTR), and it won't affect the network or the other players in it. L16 uses Time Domain Multiple Access (TDMA) whereby each player is designated timeslots to transmit and receive data in and L11 relies on a polling technique that is slower and can cause problems if a player drops out. The update rate is quicker to, so L16 is better suited to air operations were a platforms position is constantly updated.
If you want to know more there is plenty of info on the net.

[Feanor]

No, Army units, AIr Force units, and Naval aircraft all use it.

Do MBT's and APC's have link 16 capacity or is that reserved for C2 structures? In other words is it a strategic or tactical level datalink? Or both? Sorry if my questions are a bit naive, but my knowledge of the U.S. military isn't very thorough in many areas.

[sierrahotel]

Do MBT's and APC's have link 16 capacity or is that reserved for C2 structures? In other words is it a strategic or tactical level datalink? Or both? Sorry if my questions are a bit naive, but my knowledge of the U.S. military isn't very thorough in many areas.
Link-16 and Link-11 are Tactical Data Links.What is MBT and APC?I am not familiar with these acronyms.

[Salty Dog]

Link-16 and Link-11 are Tactical Data Links.What is MBT and APC?I am not familiar with these acronyms.

MBT - Main Battle Tank

APC - Armored Personnel Carrier

[gf0012-aust]

Do MBT's and APC's have link 16 capacity or is that reserved for C2 structures? .


In Australia, the MBT's and some land Command vehicles are Link 16 capable.

The intent was always to allow aust armour to be able to co-operate and work with combat air assets for support etc....

[Feanor]

So being a tactical datalink, on ships they would be directly connected to the FCS systems of the various weapons? Is there a separate datalink for command structures?

[AegisFC]

So being a tactical datalink, on ships they would be directly connected to the FCS systems of the various weapons? Is there a separate datalink for command structures?

On a non-CEC ship the tracks are seen and handled by the ships Command and Decision system but they are identified as a link track and can not be targeted unless the ships own radar is tracking it.

[Waylander]

The IVIS in the M1A1AIM (v2?) is able to receive data from other Link-16 assets? How does it works?
Is for example the radar picture of a Hornet received by the IVIS network and automatically reworked into a viewable picture on the screens of the IVIS vehicles.
In the end the picture one sees when using an IVIS network should be a lot different from what is normally used on ships and warplanes.

[AegisFC]

The IVIS in the M1A1AIM (v2?) is able to receive data from other Link-16 assets? How does it works?
Is for example the radar picture of a Hornet received by the IVIS network and automatically reworked into a viewable picture on the screens of the IVIS vehicles.
In the end the picture one sees when using an IVIS network should be a lot different from what is normally used on ships and warplanes.

Link does not send raw sensor feeds over the network, it sends processed track information on what it sees and forwards data from units further away. Everyone on the network has the same JNL (JTIDS Network Library), and that JNL makes sure everyone is reading the same data on a standard format, but not everything the Hornet sees will be needed by the Abrams so either the data will first be forwarded to a C&C station or the Abrams combat system will automatically filter the data.

[kato]

Raw... would need Gigabits of bandwidth with sensors with modern resolutions.

Link-16 barely has the bandwidth to transmit full processed information really.

[sierrahotel]

Raw... would need Gigabits of bandwidth with sensors with modern resolutions.

Link-16 barely has the bandwidth to transmit full processed information really.
In fact the L-16 bandwidth is barely over 50Kbps,but it is enough for the data transmission.On the other hand raw information (in digital form e.g. sensor plots) need less transmission speed depending on the protocol used.The Swedish AEW platform (Erieye) transmits raw sensors feeds to the ground stations using a simple medium speed protocol.

[Ozzy Blizzard]

Raw... would need Gigabits of bandwidth with sensors with modern resolutions.

Link-16 barely has the bandwidth to transmit full processed information really.

Theres no need for raw data anyway in most cases, unless your looking at SAR or IR images. The on board avionics can handle that (the system would be pretty useless is it could not). Track data is all thats needed in most cases, and ~50Kbps is plenty for that.

[Systems Adict]

So being a tactical datalink, on ships they would be directly connected to the FCS systems of the various weapons? Is there a separate datalink for command structures?

Yes it's a tactical datalink !

As for direct feed of this data & its inter-operation with the FCS of the various weapons systems, think again.

Most modern warships (built in the last 5 -10 years) have an integrated command system, with Multi-function displays. The data from each of the sensors is fed, via an interface, into the command system. The datalink is no different.

The data is usually converted into an appropriate format, then overlayed on the radar / sensor display of the console. This provides the console operator the ability to view his processed data from the sensor he's using / in control of & see the corresponding information from the datalink.

The operator then usually has the facility to correlate "both tracks" (although sometimes this is a function of the software of the command system).

If the data is being used "to plot a solution", for a missile system, track data is passed back across the appropriate part of the interface to the Weapon System, & the console operator will be directed by the data on his screen, or by the Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) to engage the target.

I know that some systems are more likely classified as "stand alone", due to their ability to operate independently of the command system. However, they often still have a limited data link with the command system to relay bearing information, so that once the general direction of the target is provided, the "missile" can fire and then once in flight, the weapon can control how it attacks the target.


Systems Adict

[Feanor]

Is the American (I'm assuming it's American made) Link 16 the only system of this type?

[Systems Adict]

Is the American (I'm assuming it's American made) Link 16 the only system of this type?

I'll be honest & say I'm not 100% sure on this statement, but I'd say that it's not PURELY American.

After all, that's like saying that every PC based around the OS 2 system is made by IBM !

Link is a NATO thing (although not exclusively). It's been thru various models & variations on a theme (Link 11 / Link 14 / Link Y, etc), but they all readily do the same thing. Pass limited, specific quantities / types of tactical data, via radio waves from ONE unit to others that Transmit & Receive this information, so that they are then able to see a more complete picture of the battle space around them.

Link-16 is just the latest model.

(Anyone is welcome to jump in here & correct anything I may have mis-quoted !) :nutkick


Systems Adict

[kato]

Technically, Link 22 is newer than Link 16 (by a few years), though it's based on the older Link 11 of course.

[sierrahotel]

Link-16 was at first a U.S project (TADIL J) which has been designed to optimise the use of the JTIDS architecture in the mid-70s.An interim protocol came first known as IJMS (Interim JTIDS Message Specification) to provide an initial JTIDS operating capability for the USAF.This protocol used TDMA architecture but based on Link 11 messages packaged to fit into the JTIDS architecture because U.S CRCs used Link-11B to communicate with each other.The IJMS implemented in the US E-3B,NATO E-3A and the US and NATO ground environment.When Tadil J came in use adopted by NATO with the name NATO Link-16 and put in use with AEW platforms,fighters (Tornados,F-16,Rafale e.t.c) ,Navy assets and CRCs-SAMs.UK is the leading country in the Link-16 use and imroved it to Satellite Tactical Data Link (Link-16 over a satellite bearer).
Link-22 is just an improved version of Link-11 using TDMA architecture.

[AegisFC]

Technically, Link 22 is newer than Link 16 (by a few years), though it's based on the older Link 11 of course.

I took an Introduction to TADIL course a couple weeks before I left military service last month and they said that link 22 has been defunded.

[Waylander]

Link does not send raw sensor feeds over the network, it sends processed track information on what it sees and forwards data from units further away. Everyone on the network has the same JNL (JTIDS Network Library), and that JNL makes sure everyone is reading the same data on a standard format, but not everything the Hornet sees will be needed by the Abrams so either the data will first be forwarded to a C&C station or the Abrams combat system will automatically filter the data.

Thanks for the explanation.

I always wondered if data from flying units (like J-Stars, UAVs, etc.) is directly fed into an IVIS network and is just reworked so that fits the picture on the displays on the ground vehicles or if some higher staff units get the data from flying assets and put it manually into the IVIS network.

[sierrahotel]

If the IVIS is Link-16 compatible,it will receive the appropriate information either directly from an airborne asset (J-Stars for e.g),or from a C&C station.If it is not,it will receive data from a C&C station via other link system.At this point it would be interesting to discuss about the use of Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) from MBTs and the employment of tactical internet in the battlefield.

[stump1100]

If the IVIS is Link-16 compatible,it will receive the appropriate information either directly from an airborne asset (J-Stars for e.g),or from a C&C station.If it is not,it will receive data from a C&C station via other link system.At this point it would be interesting to discuss about the use of Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) from MBTs and the employment of tactical internet in the battlefield.

Without going into too much detail, data can be passed from a Link 16 node to an non-link 16 node using a message protocol like VMF (TADIL J series message). This is being trialled in Aus but not yet implemented. The M1 MBTs we now have in Aus are not link 16 capable per se but it is planned (and may well be implemented) to have a VMF capability for these platforms.

[Waylander]

BTW, are the Australian M1A1 AIMs v1 or v2?

IIRC the US is in the process of upgrading all their M1A1AIM v1 to v2 and all their M1A2 to M1A2SEP because otherwise they would have problems to speak in the same network.

Makes me wonder how easy it really is to feed Link-16 data into the system...

[Feanor]

I thought the SEP upgrade was initiated in response to urban warfare requirements, in particular in Iraq.

[Waylander]

No, that's the TUSK conversion. These kits offer some advantages for urban warfare.

The SEP is a regular upgrade for the M1A2.

[Transient]

I took an Introduction to TADIL course a couple weeks before I left military service last month and they said that link 22 has been defunded.

What about the Satellite based Link 16? Has it been fielded or was it also defunded? Will it suffer performance cuts in terms of subscriber count the way Link 11 did when used via satellite?

[sierrahotel]

AFAIK,Satellite Link-16 or STDL is implemented on RN ships (Acft Carriers,Type 42 and the forthcoming Type 45 Destroyers).This is a UK National Link.I don't know the progress of U.S DoD in that matter.At the moment the capacity of the satellite channel is limited and of course there is a time delay in the communication,so the performance does not match the UHF based L-16.

[Feanor]

No, that's the TUSK conversion. These kits offer some advantages for urban warfare.

The SEP is a regular upgrade for the M1A2.

Whoops that's right. Tank Urban Survival Kit. What does the SEP upgrade entail? And is it compatible with TUSK? Sorry if I'm derailing this a little bit.

[AegisFC]

What about the Satellite based Link 16? Has it been fielded or was it also defunded? Will it suffer performance cuts in terms of subscriber count the way Link 11 did when used via satellite?

It still exists and it is used but not very often.

[eckherl]

Whoops that's right. Tank Urban Survival Kit. What does the SEP upgrade entail? And is it compatible with TUSK? Sorry if I'm derailing this a little bit.

SEP includes the following:
Command and control processors intergraded into FCS program.
Better FCS that improves situation awareness and engagement sequence.
Improved tactical communications
Under armor APU unit

Tusk upgrade includes the following:

Urbanized add on armor, sides, rear and belly armor
Loader shield and thermal sight
TC remote 50 cal weapons station
Additional 50 cal for counter sniper duties
Drivers thermal viewer
Rear vehicle communications phone for dismounts
Still being decided for APS system but more than likely will go with Iron Fist

[sierrahotel]

Sorry to say this pals but the thread ended into M1A2 discussion :offtopic

[eckherl]

Sorry to say this pals but the thread ended into M1A2 discussion :offtopic

No - someone asked a question for clarification and it more than likely would of been kept at that considering who it came from, but I will agree that further questions inregards to M1A2 SEP should be taken to that thread. Sorry

[Feanor]

Sorry for the derail, I realize it was a tangent. In the future I'll try to aviod derailing threads.

[Waylander]

Nevertheless my question reamins wether an M1A1AIM can get data from Link-16 sources via the IVIS network.
If I get it right there are big problems when for example a M1A1AIMv1, an AIMv2, an A2 or an A2SEP want to talk to each other.

These problems jsut make me wonder if it realy is that easy to get a connection between sea and air units using Link-16 and ground units using IVIS?

[eckherl]

Nevertheless my question reamins wether an M1A1AIM can get data from Link-16 sources via the IVIS network.
If I get it right there are big problems when for example a M1A1AIMv1, an AIMv2, an A2 or an A2SEP want to talk to each other.

These problems jsut make me wonder if it realy is that easy to get a connection between sea and air units using Link-16 and ground units using IVIS?

As stated by gf0012-aust the capability is most certainly there between all different M1 models, most likely at a minimum command tanks and plt leaders would have this capability, as far as exact specifics due to the potential sensitive information matter I can go no further.:)

[Waylander]

No problem, security first. :)

The problems between different Abrams just confused me, especially when one wants to integrate data from a different network.

[gf0012-aust]

No problem, security first. :)

The problems between different Abrams just confused me, especially when one wants to integrate data from a different network.

and not to be too unkind - the problems that might exist between types for the US is "non-existent" for australia.

ie we "only" have to be concerned about one class of digitised armmoured asset communicating with other Link-16 fitted assets such as air and sea (eg Tigers and Hornets/SuperHornets)

[sierrahotel]

Is there a program for an airborne ground surveillance radar(Like J-STARS) in RAAF?It is essential, if you want to integrate all these assets (F-18,Tgers,MBTs)into a land warfare Link-16 network.

[gf0012-aust]

Is there a program for an airborne ground surveillance radar(Like J-STARS) in RAAF?It is essential, if you want to integrate all these assets (F-18,Tgers,MBTs)into a land warfare Link-16 network.


the view always has been that the australian specced abrams would be able to call in comms co-operative assets in the Link-16 space.

There are a number of ways to do this,but AFAIK one of the critical ones is not in the PD

[JohanGrön]

In fact the L-16 bandwidth is barely over 50Kbps,but it is enough for the data transmission.On the other hand raw information (in digital form e.g. sensor plots) need less transmission speed depending on the protocol used.The Swedish AEW platform (Erieye) transmits raw sensors feeds to the ground stations using a simple medium speed protocol.

Gripen:s can also transmit raw sensor feeds over the data-link network among themselves and to ground stations (four simultaneous sending, infinite number of recievers).

[gf0012-aust]

Link 16 is a military inter-computer data exchange format of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
With Link 16, military aircraft as well as ships and ground forces may exchange their tactical picture in near real time.

It's more than a comms connect for NATO, I can think of 3 other nations who are non NATO and use it.

In fact, those three are also getting the complimentary comms package to Link 16 - and not all NATO countries will have access to that suite.