Tactical data link

A tactical data link (TDL) uses a data link standard in order to provide communication via radio waves or cable. NATO nations use a variety of TDL standards. All military C3 systems use standardized TDL to transmit, relay and receive tactical data.

Multi-TDL network (MTN) refers to the network of similar and dissimilar TDLs integrated through gateways, translators, and correlators to bring the common tactical picture and/or common operational picture together.

The term tactical digital information link (TADIL) was made obsolete (per DISA guidance) and is now more commonly seen as tactical data link (TDL).

TDLs are characterized by their standard message and transmission formats. This is usually written as <Message Format>/<Transmission Format>.

In NATO, tactical data link standards are being developed by the Data Link Working Group (DLWG) of the Information Systems Sub-Committee (ISSC) in line with the appropriate STANAG.

In NATO, there exist tactical data link standards as follows:

Beyond NATO countries, NATO partner countries have also developed some degree of interoperability with these standards since the 2014 Partnership Interoperability Initiative.

• BACN
• Global Information Grid
• Inter/Intra Flight Data Link (IFDL)
• JREAP
• MANDRIL
• Multifunction Advanced Data Link
• Network emulation for simulation / emulation of tactical data links
• SIMPLE
• Tactical Common Data Link

• Federation of American Scientists TDL information page
• This article was originally based on public domain text from Army Airspace Command and Control in a Combat Zone, Headquarters, Department of the Army, publication FM 3-52 (FM 100-103), August 2002