Royal Air Force of Oman selects tactical data link system from Tactical Communications Group

TEWKSBURY, Mass., 7 April 2015. The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) is deploying tactical data link (TDL) hardware and software components from Tactical Communications Group (TCG) to meet its operational and training needs for Link 16 interoperability with national and coalition forces.

TCG staff delivered a Ground Support System (GSS) based on TCG's Ground Tactical Data Link System (GTS) with four distributed remote tactical display workstations, providing RAFO personnel with tactical situational awareness; target, track, point, and friendly participating unit emulation; and message generation on a Link 16 network.

The GSS features a sophisticated tactical display, MIL-STD-compliant message processor, and intuitive training and test capability. The GSS also records Link 16 network transmission for post mission analysis and playback, provides a stable navigation source, and can operate as either a command and control (C2) or non-C2 system.

"The deployment of the GSS facilitates Link 16 integration by supporting the test, training, and tactics development for and by the pilots and ground crews of the RAFO," describes Frank Newark, TCG's vice president of engineering. "The GSS is capable of supporting realistic training environments, is deployable, enhances support of data link systems operations, and empowers minimally trained personnel to participate as a member of the operational environment. The GSS includes tactical workstations that support ground-based testing and training, live operations, operational environment development, operational data recording, and post-operation ground-based playback and mission analysis."

TCG won a contract in October 2014 through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) office of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Hanscom Air Force Base. The contract award includes engineering and operational tactical data link services, system maintenance, and operational support for Oman's F-16 fleet.

"We are pleased to begin our service for the Royal Air Force of Oman and we are looking forward to supporting our Oman allies as they employ their TDL-equipped capabilities and platforms," TCG's President/CEO Michael Hiney explains. "TCG is known worldwide for our TDL expertise and we will strive to be a valuable resource for the RAFO."

Founded in 2001, Tactical Communications Group (TCG) is an independent supplier of tactical data link (TDL) software solutions for military communications systems. TCG's portfolio of TDL testing, training, simulation, and battlefield operations software solutions provides the warfighter proven multi-link communication capabilities to optimize performance and increase mission effectiveness. TCG customers include leading military organizations, systems integrators, and test agencies worldwide.