Revolutionizing how the Navy fights

Photo By Norman Tancioco | Capt. Drew Williams, Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems (MIDS) program manager, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific Executive Director Carmela Keeney, and Kurt Reese, MIDS deputy program manager met prior to the MIDS "From the Air Advanced Tactical Data Link" Governance Summit on March 27, 2014, in San Diego.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

03.27.2014

Story by Ashley Nekoui 

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR)

SAN DIEGO - Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) hosted the Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems (MIDS) From the Air (FTA) Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) Summit on March 27 in San Diego.

"I'm excited to hold this summit at SSC Pacific," said Capt. Drew Williams, MIDS program manager. "It seems only fitting as the Space and Naval Warfare Command is the subject matter expert for Link 16 and will continue to play a prominent role in this program as we move forward. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss the current status of MIDS, focusing on the advancements for the MIDS Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) technology, including FTA ATDL, and identifying future growth areas as we move forward. This technology will revolutionize the way the Navy fights."

MIDS JTRS allows multiple platforms to deliver a system-of-sytems capability through netted, distributed, and long-range firepower in contested environment through wireless, jam-resistant, secure information using ATDLs.

U.S. services and many allied nations deploy aircraft, ships, and ground units equipped with MIDS JTRS to enable military commanders to communicate with their forces by voice and data during all aspects of military operations. MIDS JTRS-equipped units exchange information including air and surface tracks, identification, host platform fuel, weapons, mission status and engagement orders.

Two new developments for MIDS JTRS include the Four Net Concurrent Multi-Netting-4 (CMN-4) technology and Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT), and the FTA ATDL. These new waveforms, within the MIDS JTRS terminal, will set the foundation for future capabilities in support of Navy Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air.

"The Navy is making significant investments in ATDL capabilities," said Williams. "Link 16 CMN-4 and broadband internet protocol networks like TTNT will unleash the creativity of the warfighters and the engineering and acquisition support teams like never before to outpace the threats of the future."

All Navy fighter and command and control aircraft will be outfitted with the CMN-4 technology, with implementation planned for the F/A 18A-F Hornets and Superhornets, E-2D Hawkeye, and EA-18G Growlers, and future plans to deliver this capability to additional platforms.

"It is an exciting time to be involved with the MIDS program," said Williams. "The men and women developing and using these technologies are critical to the Navy and our nation."

The MIDS Program Office is planning to hold a similar FTA ATDL Summit for Navy leadership at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., this summer.

• Date Taken: 03.27.2014
• Date Posted: 04.01.2014 20:43
• Story ID: 123652
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US