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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (August 13, 2008) - The
U.K. Ministry of Defence has selected Data
Link Solutions (DLS) to provide post-design
engineering and logistics support services
for Link 16 communications terminals.
Under a $12.2 million contract, Data Link
Solutions - a joint venture between Rockwell
Collins and BAE Systems - will provide
support services for Link 16 products
installed on several platforms, including
the Royal Air Force E-3, Tornado, and
Typhoon; Royal Navy Sea King helicopter and
Type 42 destroyers; and the U.K. Air Defense
Ground Environment. The contract covers
multiple DLS products including the Joint
Tactical Information Distribution Systems,
URC-138 Sea Harrier/Sea King terminal,
Multifunctional Information Distribution
System low-volume terminals, and related
support equipment.
"Our collaboration with the Ministry of
Defence is an effective approach to
accelerating return-to-service turnaround
time of Link 16 equipment, maximizing
readiness and reducing life-cycle costs,"
said Jim Pitts, DLS director. "DLS will
provide the MoD with in-country,
intermediate-level Link 16 terminal repairs,
training, spares management, test equipment,
and engineering support."
Link 16 provides real-time data
communications, situational awareness,
navigation, and in some cases, digital
voice, all in a jam-resistant,
crypto-secured package. Link 16 users gain
situational awareness by exchanging digital
data over a common communication link that
is continuously and automatically updated in
real time. Each participant in the
communication link is able to electronically
"see" the battle space, including assigned
targets and threats.
As part of the U.K. support program, DLS is
establishing a Link 16 repair center in
Waddington, U.K. This facility is a part of
DLS's strategy to create local and regional
support centers to serve Link 16 customers
worldwide.
About Data Link Solutions
Data Link Solutions was established in 1996
by two of the world leaders in military
communications, BAE Systems and Rockwell
Collins, to pursue next-generation Link 16
applications. DLS is a leading supplier of
Link 16 terminals and software, as well as
logistics and support services for air-,
land-, and sea-based platforms, with a
heritage of more than 20 years of Link 16
design and production experience with more
than 3,000 Link 16 systems delivered. DLS
has provided MIDS terminals for more than 40
different platforms in 25 countries, with
product offerings that include the Joint
Tactical Information Distribution System
Class 2 family, the Multi-Functional
Information Distribution System low-volume
terminal and LVT-3 Fighter Data Link, the
URC-138 Link 16 terminal, and various
country-unique data links. |
