Link 16: Here's How You Exchange Tactical Pictures in Real Time.

Link 16 is a secure, jam-resistant and high-speed line of communication used across domains and by international players, including NATO.

With Link 16, military aircraft as well as ships and ground forces may exchange their tactical picture in near real time. Link 16 also supports the exchange of text messages, imagery data and provides two channels of digital voice (2.4 kbit/s or 16 kbit/s in any combination)

The 51 frequencies which Link-16 can use enable frequency hopping to be performed which enhances communications security. The frequency being used by a specific Link-16 networks “hops” across these 51 frequencies in a pseudo-random sequence several times a second.

The Link-16 can support 127 stacked nets in theory. The number of stacked nets is restricted to 20 in the United States Navy. There are few studies about the impact of the number of stacked nets to the performance. The number of stacked nets has important aspects to network design and planning of data link.

A big benefit of using Link 16 is enhanced security. Link 16 uses two types of encryption including TRANSEC and Message Encryption (MSEC) and thus requires two crypto variables for a Partitioned Variable Mode (PVM) NPG or one variable for CVM NPG.

Link 16 transmissions are protected by encryption devices in the terminal or aircraft electronic systems.

In contrast to other communications link waveforms, Link 16:

• Improves security
• Improves jam resistance
• Improves situational awareness
• Increases data throughput
• Increases capacity of information exchanged

But advocates are calling for even greater Link 16 cybersecurity as this important data link branches out into even more advanced applications.

One of those developing Link 16 technological advances is a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) constellation satellite with Link 16 capabilities.

Under a $50 million Air Force Research Lab contract, Viasat has been developing the LEO satellite to provide reliable low latency communications that could survive in a shooting war.

Because LEO constellations move across the sky relative to the earth, dozens or even hundreds of them are needed to offer global coverage. But that characteristic also helps make them more survivable, by comparison with a single satellite in geostationary orbit.

Connecting the satellites to Link 16 terminals would give a new global reach to Link 16’s reliable and widely deployed tactical communications system. 

Want to learn more? Tonex offers Principles and Features of Link 16 Systems, a 3-day course designed to help participants understand Link-16, how it works, tools, and techniques associated with it.

Principles and Features of Link 16 Systems is a combination of theoretical and practical concepts. The practical module includes individual/group activities, and workshops. The case studies and projects are chosen from the real-world cases and scenarios.

For more information, questions, comments, contact us.