Navy picks L-3 to provide data link to control unmanned helicopters aboard Littoral Combat Ship

WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy shipboard unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) experts needed a digital data link to control the MQ-8B and MQ-8C unmanned helicopters operating from the Littoral Combat Ship. They found their solution from L-3 Communications-West in Salt Lake City.

Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington announced a $29.6 million order last week to L-3 to build the Tactical Common Data Link Maritime Shipboard Terminal Surface Terminal Equipment (TCDL MST STE) system for the Littoral Combat Ship in support of the Fire Scout UAV.

The TCDL MST STE is a family of wideband interoperable digital data links that work with unmanned and manned reconnaissance aircraft, and ensure interoperability with U.S. military aircraft and ground-control stations.

This order is to provide the TCDL MST STE system critical capability to all new construction and in-service Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). L-3 will provide three TCDL MST STE systems, which consist of below- and above-deck equipment.

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The L-3 T-series model-S surface terminal is a ruggedized communications terminal that has been integrated into the Littoral Combat ship and the Coast Guard National Security Cutter. The terminal is software-configurable and supports standard common data link waveforms.

The system enables naval personnel aboard the Littoral Combat Ship to fly the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter remotely, and receive sensor information from the aircraft.

This terminal operates as part of a shipboard data link system or as a stand-alone, self-contained system for use in remote locations. The system consists of a 36-inch dual-axis antenna and a series of below-deck rack-mount line-replaceable units (LRUs) that contain the microwave modem assembly, MMA, CDL interfaces, and Ethernet options for open-systems interfaces.

The system fits into a half-rack space for a single-link configuration. It also has the option to use a portable computer for configuring and monitoring performance of the system, or may be integrated into a larger system application. The data link can be scaled to a multi-link configuration by adding LRUs and antennas.

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The antenna is self-contained and houses the RF power amplifier, diplexer, and receiver low-noise amplifier. This Ku band system is designed to operate in all weather conditions. The antenna can be remoted as far as 150 feet in the baseline configuration, L-3 officials say.

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout is an unmanned version of the Schweizer 333 turbine-powered manned helicopter. The MQ-8C is a larger unmanned helicopter based on the Bell 407 manned helicopter modified with autonomous controls.

The Littoral Combat Ship is a class of relatively small surface vessels designed to operate in shallow coastal waters and harbors. The ships are slightly smaller than Navy guided missile frigates, and have flight decks and hangars large enough UAVs and manned helicopters, can recover and launch small boats from a stern ramp, and can carry a small assault force with fighting vehicles. The ships emphasize speed, flexible mission module space, and a shallow draft.

For this contract modification L-3 will do the work in Salt Lake City, and should be finished by September 2023. For more information contact L-3 Communications-West online at www2.l3t.com/csw, or Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.

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