
Published in ARMADA International
Written by Dr Thomas Withington
A recent military exercise in Germany trialled the interoperability of several tactical datalink and communications protocols used throughout NATO.
Between 17th and 28th October, the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) performed its eighth annual Timber Express Tactical Datalink (TDL) exercise. In a nutshell, Timber Express uses several TDL and messaging protocols to develop a common, uniform situation picture which can be shared amongst all participants. The Cooperative Electronic Support Measure Operations (CESMO) was one messaging format trialled during the exercise. More details regarding CESMO, and its capabilities, can be found here.
Reports covering the exercise mentioned that Link-16 (960 megahertz/MHz to 1.215 gigahertz/GHz) and Link-22 (2MHz to 29.9MHz, 225MHz to 399.975MHz) TDLs were used alongside CESMO. Other messaging protocols included the Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP) and the Variable Message Format (VMF). JREAP carries TDL traffic across Satellite Communications (SATCOM) links to greatly increase the range across which such traffic can be moved. VMF is a standard NATO messaging format for conveying tactical information aiding a variety of missions such as Close Air Support (CAS).
News of the Timber Express exercise mentioned that Curtiss-Wright’s LinkPRO and TCG HUNTR were used.