Aerosystems International (AEI) has unveiled its Air Defence Vehicle Situational Overview & Relay (ADVISOR)system, which will allow mobile management and oversight of the Link 16 tactical datalink system.

The system can be contained in a 6x6 or 4x4 vehicle, says AEI divisional director tactical communications Martin Wicks. Pallet mounting allows the system to be set up away from the vehicle, or enables a rapid change of datalink systems. ADVISOR can be used within Link 11 networks as well as Link 16 and the UK's associated JTIDS system, he says. Such systems provide a single tactical overview linking sensor data from a number of platforms.

This overview and relay system contains two datalink display and control stations that can be adapted for a range of needs, says Wicks. AEI uses commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and has generic datalink control and oversight software that can be used as the basis for a number of configurations. These approaches reduce costs, he adds.

AEI has built an initial ADVISOR system in a Pinzgauer 6x6 vehicle. Wicks says the system is aimed at two UK requirements and a number of emerging European needs, adding that AEI is discussing teaming arrangements with French companies to offer it locally.

In the UK the Royal Air Force is seeking a mobile JTIDS management network device, and a capability to provide ground-based air defence systems (GBADS) with a TIDS link to give a tactical picture and situation awareness at the fire control centre. The former is required as Link 16/JTIDS is a complex system, which needs management so that it does not interfere with civilian air traffic control and other systems.

AEI specialises in datalinks. It has recently fitted Link 16 to several RAF tankers within 13 weeks following the issue of an urgent operational requirement.

The company also recently commissioned the Link Interoperability Network (LION), a public-private partnership with the UK Defence Procurement Agency, to provide a means of testing datalink systems and ensure interoperability. LION allows geographically separated datalink rigs to be tested in operational scenarios.

Source: Flight International