Multilink-S product sheet - Saab

MULTILINK-S

MULTILINK-S > NATIONAL INTEROPERABILITY IN THE AIR DOMAIN
MULTILINK-S
FOR NATIONAL INTEROPERABILITY IN THE AIR DOMAIN
Since the 60´s Saab Tactical Data
Link technology has evolved during
the development and in-service use
of several generations of Saab fighter
aircraft. Ground based Command
& Control as well as Airborne Early
Warning & Control systems have also
been developed in order to meet the
new fighter functionalities and tactics.
The advent of affordable higher capacity
communication systems networks now
allows tactical data to be combined with surveillance
data, provided as separate services
in the same network. The MULTILINK-S
services are designed for use by C2 units and
non-C2 units in the air, on the ground or
at sea. All network members share data for
information superiority, mission effectiveness
and survivability.
MULTILINK-S SERVICES
SA service for air-air operations
The SA service is designed to support the
fighter pilot in one of the most demanding
tasks: air-to-air operations. It is optimised for
air operations within tactical units consisting
of non-C2 units such as fighters. They
exchange mission information, with real time
data update rates that supports advanced tactics.
It also includes the exchange of tactical
coordination messages.
C2 service for command and control
The C2 service provides C2 operators,
ground based or airborne, with improved
timeliness and accuracy for controlling air
operations. The C2 operator shall have the
same situation awareness information as a
flying member of the tactical units. This is
achieved by providing the operator with the
tools of the C2 Forward Link and the C2
Back Link.
The C2 Forward Link is used to send command
and control information from a C2
unit in near real time. Typically the information
consists of recognised situation pictures
and control messages from a fighter controller
at the C2 unit.

MULTILINK-S > SERVICES
The C2 Back Link is used to send information
from a network member back to the C2
unit. Typically the information is about the
current mission such as radar information,
target reports and status reports.
To take full advantage of the C2 service it is
recommended to enhance the C2 units on
the ground with functionality from the Saab
9AIR CRS – Control & reporting System.
Information exchange between C2 units
Only one C2 unit can command a certain
group of non-C2 units at a time. However,
it is crucial that all C2 units have an overall
picture of the situation. The C2-C2 service
is designed to ascertain that information is
shared in near real time and coordinated to
allow handover of command authority between
the C2 units. Typically the information
exchanged is radar data between an AEW&C
system and a ground C2 system with functionality
similar to the 9AIR CRS.
Surveillance Data SD-service
Many advanced non-C2 units like fighters
and MPA´s carry image-generating sensors.
The SD-service transmits high resolution
electro optical and radar images over
MULTILINK-S. The surveillance data can be
selected by an operator or aircrew for viewing
simultaneously with the SA- and C2 services.

THE NATIONAL INTEROPERABLE AIR DOMAIN
MULTILINK-S enables the “National Interoperable Air Domain”
by linking all combat assets in a NCW network for data communication.
MULTILINK-S is adaptable and scalable to
fit different types of units – whatever you have in your
plans or inventory.
MULTILINK-S offers the User a National Tactical
and Surveillance data link for its air space, under
sovereign national control with secure communications
and network management.
MULTILINK-S Avionics Components
The MULTILINK-S has two core components, the Data
Link Processor (DLP) and the data radio. The Saab DLP hardware
uses the Saab Modular Mission Display computer.
The DLP software is designed to ARINC 653 and 661 standards .
The DLP design objectives have been to simplify retrofit in existing
inventory aircraft, and allow flexible adaptation of services to the end
user´s requirements.
MULTILINK-S can in principle work with any data radio that provides
enough capacity, robustness and security. The recommended
radio is a UHF software defined radio from Rohde& Schwarz. The
radio provides COMSEC and TRANSEC with customer-controlled
cryptos and advanced TDMA networking functionality.
The National MULTILINK-S and partnership
The Saab solution is designed as a base to create a Tactical and Surveillance
Data Link under National control. Saab proposes a joint
development and adaption of the baseline solution to the end user´s
requirements, together with the end user and local industry. Such
a joint program ensures Transfer of Technology. Building National
capability also increase national security.
Specifications subject to change without notice
Document id: LA-BR-20120410-1
www.saabgroup.com
Saab AB Tel +46 8 580 840 00
Security and Defence Solutions Fax +46 8 580 322 44
SE-175 88 Järfälla, Sweden