IDLS 2017 – Abu Dhabi (UAE) 1 1 Nov 2017 German Air Force Headquarters Mission Specific Data Links Branch Chief TDL/ID/SIM LtCol Volker „Chaff“ Schaaf UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Overview 2 1 Nov 2017 DEU UNIT VMF (LOS) IP TAC SAT K02.35 „Aircraft Depart Initial Point“ CP Request for TARGET Fire Support VMF (LOS) VMF K 02.33 „CAS Aircrew (BLOS) JOINT FIRE SUPPORT TEAM + Briefing“ K 2.27 „CAS VMF (LOS) Request“ K 02.34 „Aircraft On- VMF JTAC Station Report“ (BLOS) K 2.32 „CAS Request Acceptance“ 4. J 12.0 MIDS/Link16 „Mission Assignment“ J 3.7 J 14.0 CESMO TUNE J 12.0 (J3.5) J 3.7 MESSAGE J 14.0 CESMO (J3.5) TIP ASOC (AOCC) MESSAGE / VMF/Link 16 Gateway TUNE REPLY CESMO (ASOC Gateway) Orbit (CAP) MESSAGE CESMO CESMO J 3.7 TIP MESSAGE / TUNE J 14.0 J-REAP MESSAGE (J3.5) CRC J 14.2 „EW Control Coordination“ TUNE REPLY SIA MESSAGE DCAOC SEWOC J-REAP J 3.7 „EW Product Information“ CESMO/Link 16 Gateway J 14.0 „EW Parametric Info“ (J 3.5 „Land (Ground) Point/Track“) UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Does it work already? 3 1 Nov 2017 Operational benefits by “combining” mission specific data links. UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Agenda 4 1 Nov 2017 Link 16 DaCAS - VMF & IDM CESMO Airborne Prototype „Data Links“ Ex TIMBER EXPRESS Challenges UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Link 16 - Definition 5 1 Nov 2017 • Tactical Data Link • TDMA-based • Secure and jam resistant • Line-of-sight • BLOS via JREAP or SIMPLE • J-series messages TDMA: Time Division Multiple Access BLOS: Beyond Line-Of-Sight JREAP: Joint Range Extension Application Protocol SIMPLE: Standard Interface for Multiple-Link Evaluation UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Link 16 – Functional Areas 6 1 Nov 2017 • Precise Participant Location and Identification • Surveillance • Command ➢ Mission Management ➢ Weapons Coordination • (Aircraft) Control • Electronic Warfare & Coordination UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO DaCAS - Definition 7 1 Nov 2017 Digitally-aided Close Air Support • Close Air Support ➢ Air action by fixed or rotary-winged aircraft against hostile targets, that are in close proximity to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces. ➢ Requires excellent coordination with ground forces- • Digital data exchange between the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and aircraft without dataflow disruption via: ➢ Crypted V/UHF radio data communication ➢ Variable Message Format (VMF) CAS: Close Air Support DaCAS: Digitally-aided Close Air Support JTAC: Joint Terminal Attack Controller VMF: Variable Message Format V/UHF: Very/Ultra High Frequency UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO VMF - Definition 8 1 Nov 2017 Variable Message Format • Tactical Data Link? • K-series messages ➢ Message body: MIL-STD-6017 (in the future?: STANAG 5519 – ATDLP 5.19) • Application header ➢ MIL-STD-2045-47001 • Part of the J-series messages • Message format is fixed ➢ Fixed message data fields • Message size is variable ➢ Only data fields containing data will be transmitted STANAG: Standardization Agreement ATDLP: Allied Tactical Data Link Publication MIL-STD: Military Standard UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO VMF - FADs 9 1 Nov 2017 Functional Area Designators • FAD 00 Network Control • FAD 01 General Information Exchange • FAD 02 Fire Support • FAD 03 Air Operations • FAD 04 Intelligence Operations / Imagery • FAD 05 Land Combat Operations • FAD 06 Maritime Operations • FAD 07 Combat Service Support • FAD 08 Special Operations • FAD 09 Joint Task Force (JTF) Operations Control • FAD 10 Air Defence / Airspace Control VMF: Variable Message Format FAD: Functional Area Designators JTF: Joint Task Force UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO VMF – Use Case 10 1 Nov 2017 Functional Area Designators • FAD 00 Network Control • FAD 01 General Information Exchange • FAD 02 Fire Support • FAD 03 Air Operations • FAD 04 Intelligence Operations / Imagery • FAD 05 Land Combat Operations • FAD 06 Maritime Operations • FAD 07 Combat Service Support • FAD 08 Special Operations • FAD 09 Joint Task Force (JTF) Operations Control • FAD 10 Air Defence / Airspace Control DaCAS: Digitally-aided Close Air Support VMF: Variable Message Format UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO IDM - Definition 11 1 Nov 2017 Improved Data Modem • Interface to existing voice radios. • Transmit and receive digital data ➢ MIL-STD-188-220 IDM: Improved Data Modem MIL-STD: Military Standard UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO CESMO - Definition 12 1 Nov 2017 Co-operative Electronic Support Measures Operation • Rapid sharing, fusion and dissemination of information derived from ➢ Traditional & non traditional Electronic Support Measures (ESM) ➢ Traditional & non-traditional Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) to improve the survivability of coalition forces and to improve the exploitation of the electromagnetic spectrum by coalition forces. • Bi-directional ad-hoc multicast sensor radio network. ESM: Electronic Support Measures SIGINT: Signals Intelligence CESMO: Co-operative Electronic Support Measures Operation UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO CESMO - Concept 13 1 Nov 2017 Concept • to collaborate tactically in joint and combined activities to share Electronic Support Measures (ESM) derived information in a timely manner. ➢ STANAG (Standardization Agreement) 4658 ➢ AEDP-13 (Allied Engineering Documentation Publication) ESM: Electronic Support Measures STANAG: Standardization Agreement AEDP: Allied Engineering Documentation Publication CESMO: Co-operative Electronic Support Measures Operation UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Airborne Prototype – DEU Tornado 14 1 Nov 2017 • Link 16: Full Implementation Air / Ground / Sea • VMF: IAW US JS Co-ordinated Implementation ➢ A/C/C and B/Dch1/Dch1 (Auto stack detection) ➢ Implementing ECPs • CESMO: RWR & ELS VMF: Variable Message Format US JS: USA Joint Staff RWR: Radar Warning Receiver ELS: Emitter Location System CESMO: Co-operative Electronic Support Measures Operation UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Integration Prototype 15 1 Nov 2017 UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Integration Prototype 16 1 Nov 2017 MIL-BUS Interface Computer Unit (ICU) KY-58 HQ-II 1553 Interface UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Integration Prototype 17 1 Nov 2017 Hardware Application Message Protocol (CESMO) (VMF) Skype WhatsApp AEDP-13 MIL-STD 2045-47001 C+D1 Proprietary Proprietary MIL-STD 6017 A/B/C Standard MIL-Std 188-220 C+D1 IEEE 802.11n UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Data Links – Mission Specific? 18 1 Nov 2017 MIDS Low Volume Terminal IDM / Crypto / UHF Radio or (LVT) LAN/WAN • J-Messages • CESMO Messages MIDS/Link16 CESMO SIA CRC LAN / WAN (J-REAP) • J-Messages SEWOC LAN / WAN (J-REAP) • J-Messages DCAOC UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO “Combining” !? 19 1 Nov 2017 DEU UNIT VMF (LOS) IP TAC SAT K02.35 „Aircraft Depart Initial Point“ CP Request for TARGET Fire Support VMF (LOS) VMF K 02.33 „CAS Aircrew (BLOS) JOINT FIRE SUPPORT TEAM + Briefing“ K 2.27 „CAS VMF (LOS) Request“ K 02.34 „Aircraft On- VMF JTAC Station Report“ (BLOS) K 2.32 „CAS Request Acceptance“ 4. J 12.0 MIDS/Link16 „Mission Assignment“ J 3.7 J 14.0 CESMO TUNE J 12.0 (J3.5) J 3.7 MESSAGE J 14.0 CESMO (J3.5) TIP ASOC (AOCC) MESSAGE / TUNE REPLY CESMO Orbit (CAP) MESSAGE CESMO CESMO J 3.7 TIP MESSAGE / TUNE J 14.0 J-REAP MESSAGE (J3.5) CRC J 14.2 „EW Control Coordination“ TUNE REPLY SIA MESSAGE DCAOC SEWOC J-REAP J 3.7 „EW Product Information“ J 14.0 „EW Parametric Info“ (J 3.5 „Land (Ground) Point/Track“) UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO “Combining” – Where the Magic happens! 20 1 Nov 2017 DEU UNIT VMF (LOS) IP TAC SAT K02.35 „Aircraft Depart Initial Point“ CP Request for TARGET L16/VMFFire Support - VMF (LOS) VMF K 02.33 „CAS Aircrew (BLOS) GatewayJOINT FIRE SUPPORT TEAM + Briefing“ K 2.27 „CAS VMF (LOS) Request“ K 02.34 „Aircraft On- VMF JTAC Station Report“ (BLOS) K 2.32 „CAS Request L16/CESMO- Acceptance“ 4. J 12.0 MIDS/Link16 „Mission Assignment“ J 3.7 Gateway J 14.0 CESMO TUNE J 12.0 (J3.5) J 3.7 MESSAGE J 14.0 CESMO (J3.5) TIP ASOC (AOCC) MESSAGE / TUNE REPLY CESMO Orbit (CAP) MESSAGE CESMO CESMO J 3.7 TIP MESSAGE / TUNE J 14.0 J-REAP MESSAGE (J3.5) CRC J 14.2 „EW Control Coordination“ TUNE REPLY SIA MESSAGE DCAOC SEWOC J-REAP J 3.7 „EW Product Information“ J 14.0 „EW Parametric Info“ (J 3.5 „Land (Ground) Point/Track“) UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Ex TIMBER EXPRESS 21 1 Nov 2017 Officer Scheduling the Exercise German Air Force Headquarters Officer Conducting the Exercise German Air Operation Command UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO What is TE? 22 1 Nov 2017 • „Link 16 Live Training Exercise“ • Bi-national: DEU - USA • L16 core IDM-based comms • Goal: Promote L16 • Challenge: Advance L16 interoperability ➢ Within L16 ➢ Other DLs ➢ Analysis UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Expectation! 23 1 Nov 2017 • Maintain L16 ex network • Networks for testing • QRA(I) support • Learning experience for SMEs • Training completion • Educate senior leadership UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Experimental Part 24 1 Nov 2017 • Integration of VMF & CESMO • Fusion of different domains • „Forwarding“ VMF / CESMO L16 • S/A augmentation • Challenging the planners • JREAP-C via „dirty“ internet • Remote control of L16-terminals UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO What happened in reality? 25 1 Nov 2017 • Training ✓ Demanding data link environment ✓ QRA(I) & live flying support ✓ Additional experimental network • Experimental Part ✓ Automated translation VMF CESMO ✓ Automatic transmission CESMO L16 • Hanscom ✓ TX of „tactical picture“ UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO Benefits / Assessment? 26 1 Nov 2017 • Training ✓ Training goals were achieved ✓ Indication of conspicuous behaviour ✓ Analysis is effective for further details • Experimental Part ✓ „Common Situation Picture“ ✓ Enormous information density • Hanscom ✓ Internet „Network Enabled Operations“ ✓ Civil data infra-structure: pros and cons UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO TE Lessons 27 1 Nov 2017 • What did we see? • What have we learned? • What will we change? • What will we ignore? UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO What did we see? 28 1 Nov 2017 • Large scale live tactical data link exercises are an outstanding training opportunity. • CESMO may have a long and interesting future. • Using open means of communication should be evaluated more thoroughly. UNCLASSIFIED - FOUO What have we learned? 29 1 Nov 2017 • There is always more to learn about Link 16. • A rigid test plan may not be helpful. • “Things do not start to fall apart until you start connecting things!”.