Frequentis and Airbus Defence and Space Hand Over Link 16 Radio Network to the German Air Force

The project includes the development and delivery of a nationwide radio data network based on the Link 16 standard.

The Link 16 radio network facilitates the secure exchange of real-time situational awareness data and voice communication between command and control centres with MIDS-terminal-equipped platforms such as Eurofighter, AWACS and ships. The unique Link 16 radio network provides radio coverage all over Germany at about 5000 feet above ground level and allows the German Air Force flexible use of the Link 16 infrastructure. The system provides a secure multi-MIDS, multi-host and voice-conferencing capability with all communication taking place over IP.

In 2011, two and a half years after contract award, initial operational capability was achieved. The German Air Force was at that time already able to use parts of the Link 16 network for day-to-day operations and to perform field tests. The outcome of the tests and the experience of the operations led to the optimisation and enhancements that make the Tactical Link 16 radio system what it is today.

The project was executed by a joint consortium of Frequentis and Airbus Defence and Space, capitalizing on their respective experiences in advanced datalink projects. Airbus Defence and Space was responsible for the MIDS terminal integration while Frequentis took care of voice communications and network access.

The Link 16 radio system consists of ten fixed Link 16 Equipment Suites at radio sites all over Germany, five fixed Link 16 Host Access Points collocated with the fixed and deployable control and reporting centres, and one transportable Link 16 Host Access Point. For secure voice transmission from the operator at the control and reporting centre to the platform, the system provides a Link 16 Secure Voice Panel connected to the Host Access points. For the management of the Link 16 radio system, two Link 16 Remote Control Stations (Main/Standby) are provided. As the radio stations are normally unmanned, using the installed Crypto Control Unit the MIDS-Terminals at the Equipment Suite can be remotely re-keyed with the necessary crypto keys.

With this project Frequentis is entering the domain of tactical datalink implementation in countrywide secure radio networks. In addition to this, the largest Link 16 network in Europe, Frequentis has also acquired experience with tactical datalink integration in air defence radio networks in Switzerland and Austria, enabling new functionality and capabilities for the operator positions of military air traffic controllers.

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered airborne, shipborne and ground-based datalink capabilities for Eurofighter, SAMOC, Frigate and other military platforms and has acquired comprehensive Link 16 expertise in various datalink projects.