Data Link Solutions to upgrade MIDS-LVT software-defined radio communications for military networking

SAN DIEGO – Military networking experts at Data Link Solutions LLC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will provide the U.S. Navy with an upgraded high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital data and voice communications system under terms of a potential $75 million order announced this week.

Officials of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR, formerly SPAWAR) in San Diego are asking Data Link Solutions for the block upgrade II retrofit of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System low-volume terminals (MIDS-LVT). Data Link Solutions is a joint venture between Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems.

The terminals provide secure, high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital data and voice communications capability for Navy, Air Force, and Army platforms, and for U.S. military allies.

Data Link Solutions is one of two U.S. companies building the MIDS-LVT; the other is Viasat Inc. in Carlsbad, Calif. The two companies won contracts in mid-2015 collectively worth nearly a billion dollars to build and maintain MIDS Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals.

Last year Viasat won an $85.5 million contract to deliver block upgrade II hardware and software upgrades and support services for MIDS-LVT radios.

Related: Data Link Solutions and ViaSat win airborne tactical data link orders worth $957.2 million

The MIDS-LVT block upgrade II project will enable interoperability with platforms that use other upgraded Link 16 terminals such as the MIDS JTRS family of terminals.

The MIDS-LVT is a software-defined radio (SDR) tactical data link and networking system for aircraft, fixed sites, land vehicles, and surface warships. It is a four-channel communications system that delivers existing Link 16 tactical networking and situational awareness with concurrent multi-netting-4 and tactical air navigation (TACAN) functionality.

The MIDS JTRS terminal has three channels for future growth, including JTRS advanced networking waveforms such as tactical targeting network technology, multifunction advanced data link, intra-flight data link, and other advanced networking waveforms.

The system is a line-of-sight radio system for collecting and transmitting broadband, jam-resistant, secure data and voice across a variety of air, sea, and ground platforms.

On this order Data Link Solutions will do the work in Wayne, N.J., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and will be finished by December 2026. For more information contact Data Link Solutions online at www.datalinksolutions.net, or NAVWAR at www.public.navy.mil/navwar/Pages/default.aspx.