LINK 16
What is LINK 16?
Link 16 is a secure, jam-resistant, digital data link used by military aircraft, including the F-16, for real-time exchange of tactical information. It enables seamless communication and coordination between friendly forces operating in the air, on land, and at sea, this system is by US and NATO.
How does LINK 16 work?
Link 16 operates in the UHF frequency band, providing line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight connectivity over considerable distances. It employs a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) architecture, allowing multiple users to transmit and receive data on the same frequency without interference.
What are the 3 requirements to get into link 16?
- Correct crypto (Key)
- Network Design Load (NDL)
- Time synchronization (NTR)
Acronyms
| Short form | Full form | Implemented in BMS | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donor | Yes But donor secondary fighter air target tracks, lock lines and AMRAAM shotlines not yet implement. |
For situational awareness during a mission, pilots may want to monitor aircraft or targets reported by aircraft that aren’t part of their flight or team. These aircraft, known as donors, can be designated during mission planning (via the Data Cartridge), or selection or deselection can be managed in the cockpit through the LINK 16 DNR page on the DED. | |
| FC | Fighter Channel | Yes | This Channel establishes the subnet on intraflight communications. This subnet is used to share ownship targets within a flight. The pilot would change the Fighter Channel to receive target information from aircraft that are operating on a different fighter-to-fighter subnet (e.g. different donors) or to join another flight. All members of the flight must select the same Fighter Channel; otherwise, the Link 16 target sorting messages from the flight members will not be received. The numerical value can be set between 0 and 126. |
| IDM | Improved Data Modem | Yes | The F-16's improved data modem is a crucial component of its avionics system, enhancing communication capabilities for both command and control purposes anddata transfer. The IDM facilitates seamless and secure transmission of various typesof data, including mission-critical information, sensor data, and tactical updates between aircrafts. IDM was designed in the late 70’s before LINK 16 was on the horizon of the aircraft manufactures. Even if limited in features compared to MIDS/JTIDS systems, it follows the same principle of exchanging data. |
| JDN | Joint Data Net | Yes | An interconnected network of JTIDS/MIDS based systems which links air and missile defence Command and Control and weapons systems across L16 capable forces. |
| JTIDS | Joint Tactical Information Distribution System | Yes | Refers to the communications component of Link-16. It encompasses the Class 2 terminal software, hardware, RF equipments, and the high-capacity, secure, antijam waveform that they generate. Among NATO subscribers, the equivalent term for JTIDS is the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS). |
| MC | Mission Channel | Yes | This Channel establishes the subnet on the C2 (e.g. AWACS or ABCCC) aircraft is operating. The control NPG is used by C2 to transmit assignments to the flight lead and for the flight lead to transmit responses and report assignment status. As a flight progresses to the target area, the controlling aircraft could change. When a controller change is required, the current controlling aircraft transmits a request for handover message to the flight indicating the new controllers subnet (i.e., MC). After accepting the handover request, the flight members change the mission channel to communicate with the new controller. The numerical value can be set between 0 and 127. |
| MIDS | Multifunctional Information Distribution System | Yes | See JTIDS |
| NDL | Network Design Load | Yes | This system used to initialize the JTIDS/MIDS terminal |
| NPG | Network Participation Groups | Yes | FC and MC channels are part of dedicated NPG’s. Each channel and its number define what data can be exchanged on that channel. If you create a package for example, all LINK 16 capable aircraft of this package will have the same FC and MC (because one AWACS controller will be responsible for this package). |
| PPLI | Precise Participant Location and Identification | Yes | This message transmission from LINK 16 air participants, furnishing network participation status, identification details, positional data and navigation information. It encompasses the voice call sign, position coordinates (latitude/longitude), altitude, course, IFF codes, air platform type (e.g. fighter, bomber, attack) and air platform activity (such as engaging, investigating etc.). PPLI air tracks are shared between aircraft sharing the same NPG. |
| SC | Special Channel | Yes | This Channel establishes for SEAD NPG and identification information.The numerical value can be set between 0 and 126. |
| SURV | Surveillance | Yes | This message serves to share air track data, predominantly disseminated by a Command and Control agency. It comprises details regarding exercise/non-exercise tracks including; track number, strength, position, speed, course, identity (such as pending, unknown, assumed friend, friend, neutral, suspect, hostile), IFF codes, air platform type (generic categories like fighter, bomber, attack etc.) and specific air platform type (e.g. F15, F16 Mig29 etc.). |