A recent military exercise in Germany trialled the interoperability of several tactical datalink and communications protocols used throughout NATO.
Between 17th and 28th October, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) performed its eighth annual Timber Express Tactical Datalink (TDL) exercise. In a nutshell, Timber Express uses several TDL and messaging protocols to develop a common, uniform situation picture which can be shared amongst all participants. The Cooperative Electronic Support Measure Operations (CESMO) was one messaging format trialled during the exercise. More details regarding CESMO, and its capabilities, can be found here.
Reports covering the exercise mentioned that Link-16 (960 megahertz/MHz to 1.215 gigahertz/GHz) and Link-22 (2MHz to 29.9MHz, 225MHz to 399.975MHz) TDLs were used alongside CESMO. Other messaging protocols included the Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP) and the Variable Message Format (VMF). JREAP carries TDL traffic across Satellite Communications (SATCOM) links to greatly increase the range across which such traffic can be moved. VMF is a standard NATO messaging format for conveying tactical information aiding a variety of missions such as Close Air Support (CAS).
HUNTR
News of the Timber Express exercise mentioned that Curtiss-Wright’s LinkPRO and TCG HUNTR were used. HUNTR is a network hub and TDL protocol translator. The system was developed to act as a node that can accept traffic from multiple TDLs and re-route this traffic to its intended recipients. The HUNTR capability can be enclosed in a laptop. Curtiss-Wright told Armada that HUNTR must be connected to a radio to receive and reroute communications traffic, and to a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The GNSS receiver provides HUNTR with timing information and details of its location. The company explained that HUNTR’s laptop configuration means it can be accommodated in a backpack, onboard an aircraft, in a vehicle, at a command post and even on an uninhabited aerial vehicle.
The LinkPRO TDL software facilitates communications between a host of different TDL protocols and communications formats including Link-16, Link-22, JREAP and VMF. The software is at the core of the HUNTR product. Steven Horsburgh, senior product manager for engineering and testing with Curtiss-Wright’s defence solutions business, and Peter Ellis, the company’s engineering and testing principal product engineer, told Armada that LinkPRO and HUNTR communicated with all exercise participants using these TDLs and protocols. The systems were deployed both in the air and on the ground. Although LinkPRO handles Link-22 traffic, this capability is currently under development for HUNTR Messrs. Ellis and Horsburgh continued. The HUNTR Link-22 capability is expected to be released in 2025.
Additional plans for HUNTR’s evolution include the enhancement of its Digitally Aided Close Air Support (DACAS) forwarding module. The DACAS philosophy embraces the adoption of digital networking and processing to improve the efficacy and precision of CAS missions. Curtiss Wright said that HUNTR’s enhancement will ensure the system is interoperable with the latest ground-based VMF communications software being fielded by NATO special forces.
by Dr. Thomas Withington
