Free Tactical Data Link Training

We recently delivered a series of live online training courses which we are delighted to offer to the wider defence community as a series of videos.

The following free training courses are suitable for personnel with all levels of experience and knowledge — perhaps as a refresher or as a starting point for your Tactical Data Link (TDL) education.

Access to the videos, along with other useful TDL resources, can be made via the SyntheSys Defence Community Portal.  The sign-up process is free and simple and gives you access to our full inventory of TDL-related downloads, resources, and tools.

Our courses are subject to United Kingdom (UK) Export Control regulations.

The Value of Simulated Training Environments in TDL Operations

An Introduction to Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS)/Link 16

This session provides a high-level overview of the characteristics of MIDS Link 16, briefly describing the functionality of the MIDS terminal, as well as examining the capabilities provided by the Link 16 message catalogue.

Key topics:

• History – why Link 16 came about
• Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
• MIDS Frequency Hopping
• Relay
• Security
• Link 16 Messages – Surveillance and Weapons

An Introduction to Link 22

This session provides a high-level overview of the characteristics of Link 22, briefly describing the system architecture, as well as examining the capabilities provided by the Link 22 message catalogue.

Key Topics:

• Why do we need Link 22?
• System Hardware
• Media Types
• TDMA – how this differs from MIDS TDMA
• Operational Architecture
• Link 22 Messages – Surveillance and Weapons

An Introduction to Variable Message Format (VMF)

This session provides a high-level overview of the characteristics of VMF, briefly describing the system components, as well as examining the capabilities provided by the VMF message catalogue.

Key Topics:

• What is VMF?
• Media Types
• VMF Bearer
• VMF Application Header
• VMF Messaging
• Who uses VMF?