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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 04, 2006) - Data Link Solutions (DLS), a BAE SYSTEMS/Rockwell Collins company, has been selected by the Canadian Forces to provide Multi-Functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminals (LVT) as part of their Fleet Modernization Program, incorporating Link 16 capability into their CF-18 Hornet aircraft fleet.

Under the terms of the contract, which runs through 2007, DLS will deliver MIDS LVTs under U.S. Foreign Military Sales procurement.  Selection criteria were based on terminal price, ability to deliver on time, terminal reliability, commitment to life cycle support and commitment to Canadian Industrial Benefits.  The approximate value of the contract is in excess of $22.7 million USD.

The incorporation of the MIDS Link 16 capabilities provides the Canadian Forces CF-18 aircraft with a significant situational awareness enhancement and ensures interoperability with NATO and other coalition forces. 

Link 16 provides real-time, jam-resistant secure transfer of combat data, voice and relative navigation information between widely dispersed battle elements. Participants gain situational awareness by exchanging digital data over a common communication link that is continuously and automatically updated in real time, reducing the chance of fratricide, duplicate assignments or missed targets. Each participant in the communication link is able to electronically see the battle space, including assigned targets or threats.  The DLS MIDS LVT represents the latest generation of Link 16 equipment incorporating secure data and voice into a single, small, affordable and highly reliable unit.

Data Link Solutions (DLS) was established in 1996 by BAE SYSTEMS and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) to pursue the next generation Link 16 applications. With a heritage of more than 20 years of Link 16 design and production experience of over 2,000 systems, DLS today is a leading supplier of Link 16 terminals and software, as well as logistics / support services for air, land and sea-based platforms. Currently DLS has provided MIDS terminals for over 25 different platforms in 20 different countries with product offerings that include the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) Class 2 family, the Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) LVT-1 Low Volume terminal and LVT-3 Fighter Data Link (FDL), the URC-138 Link 16 terminal, and various country-unique data links.

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