Data Link Communications in Tactical Air Command and Control Systems

Data links in tactical air command and control systems (ACCS's) connect the computers of command and control units to one another and to weapon systems to enable rapid exchanges of real-time tactical information. This paper, presents an overview description of the current and future ACCS data link architecture used by the Services and NATO. This architecture currently consists of various tactical digital information link (TADIL) standards and NATO link standards. In the near future, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) will be a major component of the architecture. While the architecture of the far future is speculative, a description of some concepts being considered, such as the role of the International Standards Organization (ISO) reference model, is presented.