Raytheon has increased the bandwidth of its low-cost Situational Awareness Datalink (SADL) and Enhanced Position Reporting and Location System (EPLRS), while introducing common equipment to the systems.
SADL is fitted to the four US services' attack aircraft while the EPLRS data radio is deployed with ground forces. Together they give the pilot a picture of the location of ground forces, while SADL communications within a flight gives each aircraft data on wingmen, including flight parameters, fuel and weapon states. SADL communicates with Link 16 networks via gateways on board US Air Force in-flight refuelling aircraft.
Russ Titsworth, Raytheon Command, Control, Communications and Information Systems business development manager, says: "Hardware delivered later this year will allow software upgrades to 525kbit/s." He adds the system has export interest: Raytheon has licences to brief 20 nations. First sale could be secured within 12-18 months.
Source: Flight International