Tactical Data Link (TDL) Terminal Sets

Improving Allied Interoperability

With over 30 years’ experience, 3,000+ Link 11 units deployed, and 200+ Link 22 units on contract to deliver, it is not surprising that Leonardo DRS is the world leader in beyond-line-of-sight communications guaranteeing interoperability across domains, platforms, and nations. 

A Worldwide Solution

Deployed to More Than 20 Countries – Leonardo DRS data links are integrated in shore support facilities, destroyers, frigates, submarines, and aircraft, and meet the requirements of NATO for HF and UHF fixed frequency SPC operation. 

Manufactured in Ohio

Tactical Data Links are designed, engineered and produced in the Beavercreek / Dayton, OH facility.

Link 22 & Link 11 Product Family

Subcompact 1U Rackmount Link 22 Signal Processing Controller (SPC)

A modern data link containing the latest state-of-the-art signal processing technology. The Link 22 SPC provides all required modem functions for system usage in high-frequency (HF) or ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications.

Link 22 / Link 11 Shipboard Data Link MODEM (DLM)

The DLM product line, previously known as AN/USQ-125V and MX-512PV, are shipboard data terminal sets that provide all required modem and network control functions in a Link 11 / TADIL-A system using either HF, UHF, or satellite radio communications. The DLM is available in two form factors providing single and dual-channel configurations.

Airborne Link 11 Data Terminal Set with Embedded Crypto (DTS-K)

The DTS-K performs as a modem, communicating tactical command and control data between ship, shore and air platforms on the Link 11 system. In addition, it provides National Security Agency certified encryption capabilities.

DTS-K has three primary functions: first, to handle message flow from one station to another; second, to transmit and receive data; and third, to encrypt and decrypt sensitive data for Communication Security (COMSEC). Working as one integrated system, it ensures that all sensitive communications within the Link 11 network are properly protected.

The system can be operated remotely from the cockpit and can be configured to provide the Single-Tone Link 11 (SLEW) waveform in high-traffic environments. It can also be configured to connect to an alternate Link 22 network.

Accessory Items

Link 22 Ethernet Media Translator (EMT)

The Leonardo DRS Link 22 Ethernet Media Translator (EMT) provides a simplified method of interfacing the Link 22 LLC-7M crypto to the Leonardo DRS Signal Processing Controller (SPC) over a standard Ethernet interface. The EMT accepts up to four RS-422 serial traffic channel interfaces from the LLC-7M and routes each channel to the appropriate SPC. The EMT is configurable to allow the operator to designate each channel as either single SPC or Split-Site operations and assign a target IP address and port for each target SPC.

Remote Control for Data Link MODEM (DLM)

In order to control the DLM, a remote control is embedded with a Windows XP or Linux operating system software. The 19-inch LCD display allows users to run the Data Terminal Set (DTS) Control and Status application, as well as the Learning Management System (LMS) application simultaneously.

MX-512L Link Monitor System

The MX-512L Link Monitor System allows operators to actively monitor and adjust communication connection performance. Working alongside any Link 11 Data Terminal Set, the MX-512L monitors the connected radio system’s connection performance and isolates any faults that may be inhibiting the connection. Using this real-time, user-friendly data, operators can adjust the connection and the system even from a remote location.

Link 22 Tactical Data Links Provide Allied Interoperability

Leonardo DRS Improves Secure Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Communications for Australian Defence Force

As Link 11 communication capabilities are removed from operational service in the coming years, Link 22 will be the eventual replacement.

Link 22 is a secure beyond-line-of-sight communication capability that increases joint and coalition communications in the surface, sub-surface, land, and air domains by providing unprecedented situational awareness across the battle space. This new technology refresh of core hardware and software components provides a foundation that is expandable to platforms for years to come.

The inherent performance benefits of Link 22, such as its self-healing network ability, increased user availability, longer range, and interoperability with Link 11 and Link 16, coupled with new modernized crypto, means it is ready for today’s battlefield while offering capability growth for future mission sets.

Leonardo DRS’ Link 22 solution is positioned well for current missions and is primed to accept additional missions due to its abundance of spare memory and 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 the look, feel, and operational reliability to which the world’s operators have grown accustomed. Leonardo DRS is the world’s preferred Link 22 capability provider having developed, tested, and fielded the technology since 2008, and with more than 250 Link 22 units delivered or on contract to deliver worldwide.

As the world’s only current manufacturer of fielded Link 11 and Link 22 solutions, Leonardo DRS’ commonality across hardware and software ensures interoperability between nations during times of long range secured SATCOM, as well as HF/UHF encrypted communications during time of SATCOM-denied operations. With additional, advanced HF waveforms, this solution can expand upon the capabilities inherently found in Link-22.

Leonardo DRS has a 20-year relationship providing Australian Defence Forces with Link 11 and more recently, Link 22. These capabilities have ensured robust, secured coalition communications during peacetime, wartime, and humanitarian assistance events around the world. To provide even faster return to service activities for Australian users, Leonardo DRS has partnered with Bellinger Systems of Sydney to perform depot repairs and services.