Link 16 Insights

What is Link 16?

Link 16 is a military tactical data exchange network used by NATO and allied nations. It allows military aircraft, ships, and ground forces to exchange tactical information in near real-time. It employs Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to provide multiple, simultaneous, secure communication links, enhancing situational awareness and coordination on the battlefield. It is used for functions such as surveillance, identification, air control, and weapons coordination.

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What other technologies are related to Link 16?

Link 16 Competitor Technologies

Link-11

A legacy tactical data link, predating and serving as a partial predecessor to Link 16, but a slower and less secure technology.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 88% (308) of relevant job posts

Link 22

A more modern and secure tactical data link that may replace Link 16 in some applications.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 89% (165) of relevant job posts

TTNT

Tactical Targeting Network Technology. A high-speed, ad hoc network that competes with Link 16 for certain applications, particularly those requiring high bandwidth and low latency.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 77% (132) of relevant job posts

SADL

Situational Awareness Data Link. A lower-cost, less capable data link than Link 16, designed for interoperability between US Army and Air Force platforms. Intended as a gap filler, now generally replaced by newer systems.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 67% (143) of relevant job posts

MADL

Multifunction Advanced Data Link. A proprietary data link used on the F-35, which provides unique capabilities not available with Link 16, and therefore can be considered a competitor in some areas.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 83% (110) of relevant job posts

Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL)

A lower-cost, less capable data link than Link 16, designed for interoperability between US Army and Air Force platforms. Intended as a gap filler, now generally replaced by newer systems.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 83% (70) of relevant job posts

IFDL

Intra-Flight Data Link. A data link used by the F-22 Raptor to communicate within a flight of aircraft. It can augment or bypass Link 16 in certain scenarios.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 90% (53) of relevant job posts

Link 16 Complementary Technologies

JREAP

Joint Range Extension Application Protocol. JREAP provides alternative means of extending the range of Link 16 networks beyond line-of-sight, for example via satellite links or telephone lines. JREAP and Link 16 can work in conjunction.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 83% (184) of relevant job posts

MIDS-JTRS

MIDS-JTRS is a radio that can support the Link 16 waveform, providing a hardware platform for Link 16 communication.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 66% (72) of relevant job posts

MIDS

Multifunctional Information Distribution System. The hardware system used to implement Link 16. It's complementary because it provides the physical layer for Link 16.

mentioned alongside Link 16 in 37% (106) of relevant job posts