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Link 16 Display
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Multinational contracts. (March 11/10)

Jam-resistant Link-16 radios automatically exchange battlefield information – particularly locations of friendly and enemy aircraft, ships and ground forces – among themselves in a long-range, line-of-sight network. For example, air surveillance tracking data from an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft can be instantly shared with fighter aircraft and air defense units. More than a dozen countries have installed Link 16 terminals on over 19 different land, sea, and air platforms, making it an interoperability success story.

While recent advancements may make AESA radars the future transmitters of choice, Link 16 is the current standard. The Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS LVTs) were developed by a multinational consortium to provide Link 16 capability at a lower weight, volume, and cost than the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS). This free-to-view DID Spotlight article throws a spotlight on the program, explaining Link 16 and covering associated contracts around the world.

• The MIDS-LVT Program [updated]
• Into the Future: FAST & MIDS JTRS/ MIDS-J
• MIDS/ Link 16 Contracts & Events [updated]
• Additional Readings

The MIDS-LVT Program

DLS’ MIDS-LVT

As Rockwell Collins notes:

“Link 16 provides real-time, jam-resistant secure transfer of combat data, voice and relative navigation information between widely dispersed battle elements. Participants gain situational awareness by exchanging digital data over a common communication link that is continuously and automatically updated in real time, reducing the chance of fratricide, duplicate assignments or missed targets. Each participant in the communication link is able to electronically see the battle space, including assigned targets or threats. The DLS MIDS LVT represents the latest generation of Link 16 equipment incorporating secure data and voice into a single, small, affordable and highly reliable unit.”

The MIDS program was inaugurated via a Memorandum of Understanding amongst the founding MIDS nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States). It is managed by the U.S. Navy MIDS International Program Office in San Diego, CA, whose responsibilities include management of several versions of MIDS terminals for the US Navy, Air Force, Army and international militaries.

MIDS Low-Volume Terminals (LVTs) are on most U.S. Air Force fighters, bombers and tankers, most U.S. Navy aircraft, ships, and US bases and air defense systems. Other NATO countries have generally been slower and less comprehensive in their implementations, but Link 16 is often installed on fighters, surveillance and patrol aircraft of all types, and air defense systems. Some countries have even taken extra steps, and installed broader network management and transmission systems to extend Link 16’s reach within defined territories.

The MIDS-LVT (1) family is the “airborne terminal,” but it is also used by some ground units. In addition to basic Link 16 functionality:

• LVT (1) implements the TACAN Tactical Air Navigation System, and Voice.
• LVT (4) provides Voice, but eliminates TACAN.
• LVT (6) eliminates Voice, but provides TACAN.
• LVT (7) is the bare-bones model, eliminating both TACAN and Voice.

The MIDS LVT (2) family does not implement TACAN, since it’s the “ground terminal,” but it is also used by some airborne units:

• The LVT (2) does not implement Voice.
• The LVT (11) does implement Voice. Sometimes written LVT-2/11.

LVT-2/11 is specifically designed for U.S. Army Patriot Information Coordination Central (ICC) and Battery Command Posts, Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control Units (FAAD C2) and surface launched missiles, along with U.S. Air Force Air Operations Centers and Joint Interface Control Officer Support Systems. Future upgrades for the terminal are expected to include enhanced throughput, frequency remapping, and improved cryptography.

There is also a MIDS on ship (MOS) implementation, which is a separate type of equipment that performs key Link 16 functions. It serves in the US Navy, and in many allied navies as well.

Into the Future: FAST and MIDS JTRS

Right now, there are a pair of efforts underway to improve Link 16 based connectivity. One is BAE Systems’ Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) waveform, aimed at upgrading older aircraft using Link 16 terminals. FAST aggregates unused time slots within Link 16 to boost throughput from 256kbps up to 1Mbps.

A more advanced solution is also underway. Data Link Solutions and ViaSat are collaborating on the forthcoming MIDS JTRS, which will have a software-controlled architecture. JTRS is expected to be the foundation of future US radio-based communications.

Within the same volume as the MIDS-LVT, MIDS JTRS will be able to handle Link 16, TACAN (a tactical air navigation aid providing range and bearing from a beacon), UHF or VHF, and the Wideband Networking Waveform. Additional capabilities are implemented on 3 additional programmable channels from 2 MHz – 2 GHz. The US military wants to be able to upgrade MIDS-JTRS by simply removing an older MIDS LVT-1 module, and installing the new MIDS-JTRS module in the aircraft as a plug-and-play upgrade.

Members of EuroMIDS are also collaborating in these efforts, and will probably produce MIDS JTRS in the future; Thales and Data Link Solutions already have an agreement to that effect, for instance. On the other hand, the US National Security Agency has not approved the programmable cryptographic keys for foreign users. This will force buyers outside America to either continue buying MIDS-LVTs, or take the problematic route of incorporating their own cryptography, until the issue is resolved.

MIDS/ Link 16 Contracts & Events

Unless otherwise noted, the US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA issues these contracts. Delivery orders are competitively procured, typically with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the SPAWAR e-commerce web site, after the synopsis is first released via the US Federal Business Opportunities web site.

Note that Data Link Solutions is a BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins joint venture with its headquarters in Cedar Rapids, IA. EuroMIDS is another joint venture which includes Thales (France), Selex (Italy), EADS (Germany) and INDRA (Spain).

March 11/10: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives $21.5 million firm-fixed-price contract and delivery order for MIDS-LVTs, combining purchases for the USA (68%) and Germany (11%); and for Australia (18%) and South Korea (3%) under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by Feb 28/12. Contract funds in the amount of $3.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce Web site, with 2 offers received, based on a synopsis released via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site (N00039-10-D-0031).

Jan 29/10: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Taiwan’s official request to buy 35 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Low Volume Terminals (MIDS/LVT-1), 25 MIDS On Ships Terminals, plus spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, training personnel training and training equipment, repair and return, software and hardware updates, publications and technical documentation, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering and support services. The estimated cost is $340 million.

MIDS-LVT terminals are a standardized way of embedding “Link 16” datalinks into ships, aircraft, and land systems. By transmitting information to each other and filtering out duplications, Link 16 allows participating platforms to see the same tactical picture – what one sees, all can see. This dramatically improves awareness, and can help to minimize friendly fire incidents. LVT-1 terminals are used in aircraft, as well as ground units like Patriot missile systems. They include both Tactical Air Navigation System, and voice capabilities.

The prime contractor will be selected through a competitive procurement conducted by the U.S. Government, involving ViaSat and the BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins joint venture Data Link Solutions. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in training, program management, and technical reviews.

Jan 14/10: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $14.4 million firm-fixed-price order for MIDS JTRS limited production terminals. The MIDS JTRS terminal is a software communications architecture compliant upgrade to the MIDS-LVT that supports legacy and advanced networking JTRS compliant waveforms enabling integrated navigation, identification, voice and data communications, information security, networking, and networking applications to meet US DoD software defined radio initiatives and requirements. ViaSat will perform the work in Carlsbad, CA (35%) and in various other sites within the US (65%), and expects to complete it by December 2010 (N00039-00-D-2101). ViaSat release.

Jan 13/10: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received an order valued at $4.8 million for MIDS-LVTs. This award resulted from a competitive procurement for 30 LVT (6) configuration terminals under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program through the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). The order will be for MIDS-LVTs for the F-16 fighter jet.

June 25/09: Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA receives a $28.9 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. It combines purchases for the USA (45%), Saudi Arabia (15%), Canada (10%), South Korea (8%), Switzerland (6%), Finland (6%), Poland (5%), Japan (4%), and Norway (1%).

See Sept 26/08 entry, re: Saudi Arabia’s request to equip its new Eurofighter Typhoons.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $425,983 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order was competitively procured, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce web site, after the synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 23/09: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $21 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs that combines purchases for the United States (80%), Germany (13%), and Canada (7%). The Lot 10 production order includes LVT (1) terminal variants for F/A-18+ and E/A-18G aircraft, and MH-60R/S and CH-53K helicopters. The Lot 10 order also includes LVT (2) terminal variants for various U.S. Army and Air Force applications, as well terminals for Canada and Germany.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), in various other sites worldwide (70%). Contract funds in the amount of $3.9 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/09. Delivery of these units is expected to begin in July of 2010, and continue through the end of 2010 (N00039-00-D-2101). See also ViaSat release.

June 16/09: The USA’s Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) China Lake receives the first pre-qualification Production Transition Terminal (PTT) version of MIDS JTRS from ViaSat, marking the first such delivery to the U.S. government. It’s slated for developmental flight testing on an F/A-18. The MIDS JTRS is completing contractor qualification testing and F/A-18 integration in anticipation of a low-rate initial production order later in summer 2009.

MIDS JTRS is a joint development of ViaSat and Data Link Solutions, and other partners are also involved. Previous preliminary flight tests at China Lake and Naval Air Station Patuxent River used advanced engineering developmental terminals, referred to as Air Worthiness Terminals (AWTs). ViaSat release.

June 12/09: Data Link Solutions announces an $18.7 million contract to provide MIDS LVT-1 and LVT-2/11 terminals.

The MIDS LVT-1 terminals will be used on U.S. platforms and, through Foreign Military Sales (FMS), in Belgium, Hungary, Japan and Poland.

March 30/09: Data Link Solutions announces the opening of its Link 16 European Service and Support Facility in Heidelberg, Germany. It will be located within Rockwell Collins Deutschland GmbH’s facility at Grenzhoefer Weg, and will be operated under subcontract by Rockwell Collins Deutschland personnel. The goal is to improve support and turnaround times for European customers in particular, but the facility could serve any global customer who found it convenient.

The new facility will provide MIDS Organizational (“O”) and Intermediate (“I”) Level maintenance and material services, using the recently introduced MIDS Integration and Test Environment (MITE) system. MITE tests the Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) “black boxes” and identifies the faulty Shop Replaceable Unit (SRU) sub-systems, which can then replaced with a country specific or country-supplied SRU spare. The terminal LRU is then retested to ensure readiness.

In addition, the Heidelberg facility will provide customers with Link 16 training, logistics support, Field Service Engineering, customer LRU / SRU storage management, terminal transportation coordination and Link 16 integration support to platform OEMs.

Oct 9/08: ViaSat Inc. announces an additional order valued at approximately $2.97 million for Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) terminals, augmenting the $59 million worth of Lot 9 delivery orders it has received so far. This add-on order is for LVT ground-based terminals, with voice capability.

Sept 26/08: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Saudi Arabia’s request for 80 MIDS/LVT-1 terminals for its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, along with data transfer devices, installation, testing, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training, training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $31 million.

The prime contractor will be Data Link Solutions, LLC of Cedar Rapids, IA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, and implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Saudi Arabia.

Sept 16/08: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $7.1 million firm fixed price delivery order modification from the US military for MIDS-LVTs. Contract funds in the amount of $2.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The order augments the June 11/08 entry for MIDS Lot IX buys, and consists primarily of LVT (2)/ LVT (11) ground-based Low Volume Terminals, along with LVT (1) airborne terminals. The order boosts ViaSat’s Lot IX orders to $60 million.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by April 2010. This delivery order modification is a follow-on to a competitively procured delivery order, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the SPAWAR E-commerce web site (N00039-00-D-2101). See also ViaSat release.

Sept 9/08: The US DSCA announces Finland’s official request for the 3rd phase of the Mid-Life Upgrade Program for its 63 F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters. The request includes 79 MIDS-LVT terminals, and 72 MIDS Electronic Interference Blanking Units. See “Finland Requests 3rd Upgrade Phase for its F-18s” for more.

Aug 13/08: Data Link Solutions announces a $12.2 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to provide post-design engineering and logistics support services for Britain’s Link 16 communications terminals.

The contract covers multiple DLS products including the Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems (JTIDS), URC-138 Sea Harrier/Sea King terminal, MIDS-LVTs, and related support equipment. Supported platforms include the Royal Air Force’s E-3 Sentry AWACS, Tornado strike aircraft, and Typhoon fighters; Royal Navy Sea King helicopters; Type 42 destroyers; and the U.K. Air Defense Ground Environment.

July 18/08: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $9.8 million firm-fixed-price order for MIDS-JTRS Pre-Production Terminals. MIDS-J uses Link 16 and TACAN functions, as well as a trio of 2 MHz – 2 GHz programmable channels. This PTT order is for terminals with the 3-channel 2 MHz – 2GHz capability, as well as terminals with Link 16 and TACAN functionality only. Future terminals will also include improved Link 16 throughput, Link 16 frequency re-mapping, and programmable crypto.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (35%), in various other sites within the U.S. (65%), and is expected to be complete by September 2009. This order was competitively procured, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received. The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2101). Se also ViaSat release.

June 11/08: ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA receives a $51.9 million firm-fixed-price Lot 9 delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. The new award includes LVT (1) terminals and spares for E-2D Hawkeye, F/A-18 Hornet family, E/A-18G Growler, EA-6B Prowler, and F-16 Falcon aircraft, and MH-60R/S and CH-53K helicopters, and MIDS LVT (2) terminal variants and spares for various U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps applications [TL: 82%]. It also includes MIDS LVT (1) terminals for Portuguese [TL: 6%] and Turkish [TL: 12%] F-16 Falcon fighters.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by April 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00039-00-D-2101). ViaSat release.

June 11/08: Data Link Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $18.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs that combines purchases for the USA (79%) and the governments of Hungary (20%) and Japan, (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by April 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $2.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 2/08: Data Link Solutions LLC announces a recent live demonstration of MIDS-JTRS, involving a MIDS-JTRS form-fit terminal interfacing with a legacy MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT) radio and a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) beacon simulator. The Link 16 waveform communicated with position and track data being transferred between the radios, while another radio provided range and bearing data from a TACAN beacon simulator.

The initial host platform for the new radio is the U.S. Navy F/A-18 and U.S. Air Force BACN. DLS announcement (no permalink)

April 4/08: Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA received a contract for $25.8 million This action will provide repair of 26 National Stock Numbers (NSNs) for the multifunctional information distribution system. Platforms associated with the NSNs include, but are not limited to Joint Interface Control Officer Support System, F-15, F-16, F-22, B-1B and B-2. Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract (FA8539-08-D-0002).

Jan 14/08: The UK announces a GBP 350 million program to upgrade its Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR9 fighters. Link 16 is part of the upgrade, but they’ll be using a system from BAE that is smaller, lighter, and combines the MIDS-LVT’s function into a single black box.

Dec 4/07: The United Arab Emirates requests MIDS-LVT terminals as part of a $9 billion request to acquire Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T and PAC-3 missile batteries.

July 16/07: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $44.95 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract (N00039-00-D-2101) for MIDS-LVT terminals. Contract funds in the amount of $2.5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and various other sites worldwide (70%). Delivery is expected to begin in June 2008 and be complete by May 2009

The Lot 8 order includes LVT airborne and LVT ground-based Low Volume Terminals under the Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in January 2000. The new award includes U.S. orders [94.8%] covering LVT terminal variants and spares for F/A-18, EA-18G, F-16, and AC-130 aircraft; MH-60R/S and CH-53K helicopters; and LVT ground terminal variants and spares for various Army and Air Force applications.

The Government of Germany [1.7%] requested LVT variant terminals for German ground based applications under the MIDS Program Memorandum of Understanding, and the government of Portugal [3.5%] will receive MIDS LVT variant terminals for Portuguese F-16 aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales program.

During the procurement for Lot 8 the LVT terminal quantities were competed, and ViaSat remains as the only certified producer of LVT terminal variants to date. ViaSat release.

July 13/07: Data Link Solutions, Cedar Rapids, IA won a $27.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVT purchases for the USA (89.4%) and the governments of Belgium (8.8%), Japan (0.6%), and Poland (1.2%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. DLS’ Aug 8/07 release says that the terminals “will be installed on the U.S. Navy F/A-18 and EA-6B, U.S. Air Force F-16, B-1, B-2 and B-52, and on shipboard and foreign platforms.”

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $2.7 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order was competitively procured, with 2 proposals solicited and 2 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare E-commerce web site. The synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 4/07: Data Link Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was awarded a not-to-exceed $33.7 million undefinitized firm-fixed-price delivery order on April 27, 2007, for MIDS-JTRS Production Transition Terminals (PTTs). Note that DLS is working with Thales Communications in this area.

Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by April 2009. This requirement was awarded on a sole source basis by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 4/07: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a not-to-exceed $15.6 million undefinitized firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-JTRS Production Transition Terminals (PTTs). These awards are for non-recurring terminal engineering, terminals to support government air worthiness testing, and the first lot of MIDS JTRS production transition terminals.

Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by April 2009. This requirement was awarded on a sole source basis by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA (N00039-00-D-2101). ViaSat release.

March 28/07: Can Link 16 MIDS terminals be used to offer a combined picture of air and ground activity? No… and yes. Read DID’s “JDICE: A Common Picture for Tac-Air Controllers” for more information.

Feb 28/07: Data Link Solutions announces that the Finnish Air Force has selected them to supply Link 16 MIDS-LVTs for their F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft. The $1 million award is the Finnish Air Force’s F-18 “lead the fleet” order for MIDS airborne terminals, and was conducted as a directed-source Foreign Military Sales procurement through the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) MIDS International Program Office. The award augments the SPAWAR Lot 7 award of $40.2 million for MIDS terminals for use by U.S. and coalition forces.

To date, DLS has been selected to provide Link 16 capability for the F-18 fleets of Finland, Australia, Canada, Greece, Norway, and Switzerland. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ; and Cedar Rapids, IA. DLS news page.

Feb 13/07: ViaSat announces that in addition to the recent Taiwan order, they also received a $3.1 million add-on award to the Lot 7 delivery order from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), San Diego. This add-on covers MIDS LVT, LVT and LVT configuration terminals for U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force applications. The Lot 7 delivery order was initially announced on July 6, 2006 and has had multiple add-ons bringing the total value of Lot 7 to nearly $90 million at present.

Jan 31/07: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a firm-fixed-price delivery order for $12.05 million for 70 LVT configuration terminals plus spares, destined for the government of Taiwan (100%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by February 2009. This delivery order was competitively procured with 3 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command E-commerce web site and released the Federal Business Opportunities web site (N00039-00-D-2101).

In a February 13, 2007 release, ViaSat adds that “The order from Taiwan is very strategic for us… Taiwan has a large fleet of aircraft and we see this initial win as an excellent entry point for future business in Taiwan. We are also very happy with our MIDS terminal market share growth over the past year. These orders bring the value of our terminal awards since June of last year to more than $100 million.”

Jan 30/07: Speed it up! The U.S. Air Force has selected BAE Systems and SRA International to develop the 2nd spiral of the Flexible Access Secure Transfer (FAST) waveform into the MIDS-LVT1. FAST, developed by BAE Systems with a team of engineers from SRA and MITRE, adds mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) interoperable with high-speed Internet Protocol and Link 16 to the MIDS Fighter Data Link. The $7 million contract will enable the MIDS-LVT1 to simultaneously transmit and receive both standard Link 16 and FAST waveform messages, allowing real-time exchange of multimedia communications including data, voice, and video. BAE release.

Jan 11/07: The Spanish Ministry of Defence’s National Acquisition Division has given EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS) a 2-year, EUR 8 million (currently about $10.3 million) contract to support the Spanish Interoperability Management Cell. Their goal is to make sure all of Spain’s Link 16 devices can work well together. These platforms include the MIDS systems in Spain’s Eurofighters and the EF-18 Hornets, Spain’s OGSE-OVU (Operational Ground Support Equipment for the verification of electronic warfare element), the Airbus A400M future transport aircraft, and naval vessels such as the F-100 AEGIS frigates and the ARS command and control system on its LPD amphibious assault ships. Among others.

EADS CASA Military Air Systems (MAS) will perform the necessary tests to precisely demonstrate the integration among various different platforms through the connection of ground test rigs, or through real exercises. The comprehensive analysis and testing will be conducted by experts from the EADS-CASA MAS facilities in Getafe, and at Torrejon Air Force Base. If Spain is successful, it will reach a level of Link 16 integration normally reserved for the USA and UK. See EADs release.

Dec 15/06: Data Link Solutions (DLS) in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $5.1 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously awarded contract (N00039-00-D-2100) for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the governments of Finland (79%) and Belgium (21%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, N.J. (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2008. This requirement was a directed sole source to DLS by the governments of Finland and Belgium under the FMS Program.

Nov 23/06: The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence and Thales Communications B.V. signed 2 contracts worth over EUR 4 million total (about $5 million) covering a datalink management system, remote terminal sites, and 10 years of maintenance. These are not MIDS-LVT systems. Instead, they provide greater reach and better quality of service for all Link 16 participants in their coverage areas, with the ability to connect to any available IP network in order to extend this reach via the deployable control and terminal site. The systems will also allow the Dutch military to transfer Link 16 tactical pictures to legacy military assets, and manage the Frequency Clearance Agreement to avoid interference with civilian systems. The Dutch are not the only nation to take this approach – vid. Norway’s NORGIL project, for instance, or Switzerland’s country-wide Link 16 network from ThalesRaytheonSystems, as part of its FLORAKO program.

Under this contract, Thales will deliver its Datalink Interface Processor equipment, Datalink Network Management Software and peripheral equipment. With this suite, a Datalink Management System will be set up in Nieuw Milligen and three Remote Terminal Sites in Den Helder, Vredepeel and Ried in the Netherlands. The contract also includes the delivery of one Deployable Network Management System including one Deployable Remote Terminal Site. All of these items will be delivered early 2008. A second contract for the maintenance of these systems for a period of 10 years was also signed. See Thales release.

Nov 13/06: Data Link Solutions announces a $16 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center to provide Link 16 capability to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The contract marks Saudi Arabia’s first adoption of Link 16 capability and will include deliveries of the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) to be incorporated on Saudi E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft that entered service in 1986-87. Note that per the descriptions above, JTIDS is MIDS-LVT’s larger first-generation predecessor. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ and Cedar Rapids, IA. A subsequent $49.2 million Boeing contract to integrate the systems was announced in September 2007

Oct 31/06: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $36.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order under a previously awarded contract (N00039-00-D-2101) for Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVTs). This delivery order is for the government of Turkey under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%) and various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by January 2013.

ViaSat reports that the order is an add-on to the Lot 7 award previously announced for the Turkish Air Force, adding 194 MIDS-LVT Type 6 terminals plus other adjustments and bringing the total Lot 7 value to nearly $87 million. This requirement was a directed sole source procurement under the FMS Program; see the Sept 28/06 entry below, which notes Turkey’s fighter purchase. ViaSat is the sole provider of MIDS-LVT terinals to the government of Turkey, while its competitor Data Link Solutions is the sole provider to Greece.

Oct 5/06: Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA is being awarded a $6.2 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This contract is for the government of Greece (100%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by April 2009. This delivery order was competitively procured, with synopsis was released via the Federal Business Opportunities web site and 3 offers received via the Space and Naval Warfare Systems E-commerce web site. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, CA issued the contract (N00039-00-D-2100). This purchase may be connected with the 48 MIDS-LVTs in Greece’s F-16 order; see the Oct 5/05 entry below.

Sept 28/06: As part of its $2.9 billion request for another 30 F-16C Block 50 aircraft, Turkey also requests 36 MIDS-LVT modules and 3 Link 16 ground stations. Note that this is just the notification, not the contract to provide this equipment.

Sept 14/06: ViaSat Inc. receives an additional order from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, CA, valued at approximately $8.7 million. The order augments the June 28, 2006 order received by ViaSat as part of the MIDS annual Lot procurements. The Lot 7 add-on consists primarily of LVT ground-based Low Volume Terminals and spares, along with LVT and LVT airborne terminals.

ViaSat also announces an order valued at just over $2.2 million for MIDS terminals from the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division in Crane, IN. This order is for LVT ground-based Low Volume Terminals and support equipment. See corporate release.

June 28/06: Pakistan requests up to 96 MIDS-LVT terminals; 36 as part of its $3 billion request for up to 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52s, andt 60 more MIDS-LVT units in their $1.3 billion request for F-16 mid-life update kits. Observant analysts note that Pakistan only has 28 older-model F-16A/Bs, which implies that these upgrades would be placed in second-hand F-16A/Bs acquired on the global market with US permission (the USA must approve all resales of the military equipment it sells).

June 28/06: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $39.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVTs). This delivery order combines purchases for the United States (83.5%) and the governments of Portugal (11%), Turkey (4.5%), and Germany (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2008 (N00039-00-D-2101).

ViaSat’s release adds that Delivery of the Lot 7 units is expected to begin in June of 2007. While Portugal and Turkey are considered Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Germany falls under the Memorandum of Understanding amongst the founding MIDS nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the United States). The Lot 7 award includes LVT terminals for F/A-18, E/A-18G, F-16, AC-130 aircraft, the MH-60R helicopter, Link-16 Alaska, China Lake, NAVICP, and Eglin AFB. The award also includes LVT terminals and spares for various Army and Air Force applications including the JICO Support System (JSS), Pocket J Program, PATRIOT Program, Medium Extended Air Defense (MEADS), the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS), and for Eglin AFB Link-16 applications. During the procurement for Lot 7 the LVT terminal quantities were competed and ViaSat remains as the only certified producer of the LVT to date.

June 28/06: Data Link Solutions (DLS), a BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a $34.6 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the United States (77%) and the governments of Switzerland (12%), Poland (5%), Japan (3%), Australia (2%), and Germany (1%), under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2008 (N00039-00-D-2100).

Jan 4/06: Data Link Solutions (DLS), a BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins company, announces that it has been selected by the Canadian Forces to provide Multi-Functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminals (LVT) as part of their Fleet Modernization Program to add Link 16 capability to Canada’s CF-18 Hornet aircraft fleet. The approximate value of the contract is in excess of USD $22.7 million after an initial $34 million request to the US Congress.

Oct 18/05: ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) announces $120 million in contracts from the Swiss defense procurement agency, ARMASUISSE, to provide the Swiss Air Force with advanced Link-16 connectivity for their fighter aircraft. MIDS terminals are included in the effort, which will create a national Link 16 network as one aspect of the FLORAKO program.

Oct 5/05: Greece requests 48 MIDS-LVTs as part of a sale of 30-40 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft for up to $3.1 billion. The order would end up covering only 30 new F-16s.

Sept 30/05: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $5.7 million firm-fixed-price delivery order delivery order for MIDS-LVTs from the US military. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007 (N00039-00-D-2101).

Sept 30/05: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $5.3 million firm-fixed-price delivery order on Sept. 15, 2005 for MIDS-LVTs from the US military. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), and various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007 (N00039-00-D-2101).

Sept 30/05: Data Link Solutions (DLS), a BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a $5.5 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the USA (29%) and the government of Australia (71%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be completed by May 2007 (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 10/05: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $61 million delivery order (N00039-00-D-2101). This order combines purchases for the U.S. (98%) and the government of Japan (2%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (30%), in various other sites worldwide (70%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007.

June 10/05: BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins joint venture Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $32.5 million delivery order (N00039-00-D-2100). This order combines purchases for the U.S. (78.4%) and the governments of Australia (4.5%); Switzerland (8.2%); Japan (6.7%); and New Zealand (2.2%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Wayne, NJ (50%), and Cedar Rapids, IA (50%), and is expected to be complete by May 2007.

March 26/05: Turkey requests a $1.1 billion program to modernize its F-16 fleet, including Link 16 integration. ViaSat Inc. in Carlsbad, CA would eventually be selected as the supplier for the MIDS-LVT (6) terminals in August 2006, with a total order quantity of 203 LVTs. See also ViaSat release.

Dec 28/04: BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins joint venture Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA received a not-to exceed amount of $82.1 million for a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price Engineering Change Proposal modification, and a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price delivery order. These cover the product improvement of the MIDS-LVT to a JTRS software communications compliant architecture under Contract N00039-00-D-2101 for U.S. Navy and Air Force Platforms. The MIDS-JTRS is intended to replace the MIDS-LVT to provide secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications capability using the JTRS system, which is intended to become the future foundation on networked radio communication for US forces. Work will be performed at Cedar Rapids, IA (50%) and at Wayne, N.J. (50%), and is expected to be completed by September 2007 (N00039-00-D-2100).

Dec 28/04: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a not-to-exceed amount of $60.7 million for a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price Engineering Change Proposal modification, and a cost-plus-incentive-fee/ firm-fixed-price delivery order. These cover the product improvement of the MIDS-LVT to a JTRS software communications compliant architecture under Contract N00039-00-D-2101 for U.S. Navy and Air Force Platforms. The MIDS-JTRS is intended to replace the MIDS-LVT to provide secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications capability using the JTRS system, which is intended to become the future foundation on networked radio communication for US forces. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA and is expected to be complete by September 2007 (N00039-00-D-2101).

June 17/04: BAE Systems/ Rockwell Collins joint venture Data Link Solutions in Cedar Rapids, IA received a $48.3 million firm fixed price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the U.S. (76%) and the governments of Switzerland (4.8%), Belgium (4.5%), Taiwan (1%), and Poland (13.7%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed 50/50 in Wayne, NJ and Cedar Rapids, IA and is expected to be complete by May 2006 (N00039-00-D-2100).

June 17/04: Small business qualifier ViaSat in Carlsbad, CA received a $47.1 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for MIDS-LVTs. This delivery order combines purchases for the U.S. (92%) and the governments of Canada (2%), Japan (2%), and Taiwan (4%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in Carlsbad, CA (43%), Melbourne, FL (29 percent), and Munich, Germany (28%), and is expected to be completed by May 2006 (N00039-00-D-2101).

Additional Readings

• Rockwell Collins – Link 11, Link 22 and Link 16

• Data Link Solutions. The Rockwell Collins/ BAE Systems joint venture.

• Data Link Solutions – MIDS-JTRS [PDF]

• ViaSat – Data Link Overview

• Joint Program Executive Office, Joint Tactical Radio System (May 5/06) – Presentation to MIDS International Review Board: JTRS – Moving Forward [PDF]

• Flight International (Sept 16/08) – BAE Systems advances airborne networking with MIDS-JTRS, FAST