News

November 5th 2008 - General Dynamics UK flies NetLink on E-3D Sentry AWACS Aircraft

Demonstration proves that an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)can act as the airborne gateway between the Variable Message Format (VMF) data link, Bowman and the MoD’s Helicopter Asset Tracking System (HeATS) networks.

General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has successfully flown its NetLink multi-link processor on an E-3D Sentry AWACS aircraft, enabling the aircraft to act as an airborne gateway between the Variable Message Format (VMF) data link, Bowman and the Ministry of Defence’s Helicopter Asset Tracking System (HeATS) networks.

This new capability has significant potential for improving air/land integration and information exchange. It creates new connections across existing tactical networks, enabling forces to share positional information and significantly improve situational awareness for both UK and coalition forces.  The prototypes are being fielded over the next six months and could be available for platform installation by mid 2009.

During the trial at RAF Waddington, information from the HeATS was translated by a NetLink gateway on the ground into VMF. It was then passed to the E-3D over a UHF radio link, where it was received and translated by the airborne NetLinkgateway into the Bowman ComBAT Infrastructure and Platform (BCIP5), and displayed on the Common Battlefield Application Toolset (ComBAT) on an existing aircraft Barco display. Subsequently, encrypted Bowman positional messages and freetext messages were exchanged between the E-3D Sentry and the ground station over a Bowman UHF High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR) network, with the E-3D Sentry orbiting 60-80 nautical miles away from the ground-based HCDR. 

The trial was endorsed and supported by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and conducted with the support of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the E-3D Sentry Integrated Project Team and the E-3D Sentry Operational Evaluation Unit. 

Dr Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK Limited, said,

“This is a crucial element of linking the NEC battlespace and enhancing NATO interoperability, and we are extremely pleased with the success of this demonstration and the positive feedback from the RAF. This builds on our experience on other current NEC programmes which includes the supply of an integrated, low-risk Improved Data Modem solution for Europe’s major air combat programmes, including the Eurofighter Typhoon.”

NetLink is also capable of processing and translating Link-16 and the AH-64 Apache Air Force Applications Program Development (AFAPD) networks; these were not enabled during this trial. NetLink has previously been demonstrated at the MOD’s ground-based Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID). General Dynamics UK’s development of NetLink to include Link 11 and Link 22 message processing continues. Earlier versions delivered by General Dynamics UK form the core of the MOD’s Tactical Information Exchange Capability (TIEC) programme, which will integrate Link 16 and VMF onto RAF Tornados and Harriers.

Notes to Editors:

General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading player in the UK’s knowledge economy and industrial base. Established in the United Kingdom for over 40 years, it employs around 1,600 people at eight facilities and has an annual turnover in excess of £350m. A prime contractor and complex systems integrator, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other allies, growing key intellectual property, skills and capabilities in its UK research facilities and workforce, whilst harnessing world-leading technology. 

General Dynamics UK leads a key MoD Defence Technology Centre research consortium and, together with a growing C4I export programme, plays a central role manufacturing and developing technology to deliver Network Enabled Capability and ISTAR in the battlespace. The Company is widely recognised as a leading contender to supply and integrate the next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles for the British Army.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions;shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.