The Swedish Defence Material Administration’s (FMV) partnership with Thales has enabled the delivery of a full, national Link 16 infrastructure, and new network management system (NMS), supporting the exchange of tactical data between platforms. Thales has delivered the contract, which was signed in September 2009, on schedule.
Link 16 is the secure, jam-resistant NATO-standard tactical datalink being adopted on an increasing range of platforms to support coalition operations. The system enables the initiation, control and monitoring of Link 16 networks via a new ground infrastructure.
The new Thales NMS will enable Swedish Link 16 enabled platforms to exchange tactical data in a secure manner with the Swedish national command and control system, as well as providing monitoring for frequency clearance agreements and management of the Link 16 network.
This means that Link 16 equipped tactical units can now share data in a coordinated manner and provide the military customer with a readily available and combined picture of the operational environment, using data from fighters as well as from other sources, including ground reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft.
The programme required a central NMS and a number of remote radio sites, located all over Sweden, to cover their national airspace, with Link 16 operations managed from a central location. The NMS is delivered with a Data Link Interface Processor (DLIP) featuring Joint Range Extension (JRE) and multi-MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) capabilities. The DLIP integrates into the existing Stric command and control system, providing a significantly enhanced command and control capability.
Thales’s network management system will enable Swedish Link 16 enabled platforms to use Link 16 tactical data links for secure information exchange, to improve the situational awareness picture and will act as a force multiplier for the Swedish Armed Forces.
