Software For Turkish-made Tactical Data Exchange Passes NATO Test

CWIX 2024. (Source: NATO Allied Command Transformation)

JAKARTA - Turkey's simulated software, testing and training TDLSim (Tactical Data Link Simulator) designed to ensure a safe exchange of information among the military system's tactical data links, successfully carrying out its duties in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) exercises, completing a series of tests.

MilSOFT, which provides software-based solutions for the Turkish defense industry, participated in NATO's largest digital interoperability exercise, CWIX 2024 held at the NATO Joint Forces Training Center at Bydgoszcz, Poland last June, through TDLSim products through Air Force Command.

During the exercise, TDLSim products carried out a series of activities in the tactical data link domain (TDL).

As part of the Coalition's Guarantee and Interoperability Verification activities, an integration event was held by NATO to ensure the interoperability of member states' systems, including interoperability testing.

The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate systems connected to NATO networks and carry out joint operations with NATO having functions compatible with NATO standards and other NATO systems.

The system that successfully completed this test was evaluated as a system capable of joining NATO networks and carrying out joint operations if needed, reported by the Daily Sabah on August 1.

This activity is considered a certification event organized by NATO for the TDL system.

During these activities, TDLSim managed to complete 146 tests and obtained compatibility reports for various functions. In the combined operating scenario, roles such as early warning aircraft and air control, fighter aircraft, missile roles and tasks are assumed.

As a result of these tasks, TDLSim received recognition from Turkish and foreign participants.

The implementation of network-backed missile capabilities was highlighted as a significant capability by scenario air coordinators for the Turkish and foreign generals during the 2024 CWIX.

Throughout CWIX 2024, various tests were successfully completed with systems from NATO, the Netherlands, Spain, the Czech Republic, Greece, Romania, and other countries and organizations.

It is known, TDLSim was developed as a simulation software, testing and training for tactical data links used by military systems, to exchange information safely among themselves.

The tactical data link, which is important for joint combat systems operations such as military aircraft, ships, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and missiles, is simulated by TDLSim to increase the readiness of this system for operation.

In addition, TDLSim can participate in exercises by connecting to real tactical data networks and performing the necessary tasks.

For example, it can give orders to the command and control system to launch missiles from F16/F-35 fighter jets and direct missiles to its targets, both in real and virtual environments.

TDLSim, which can also be used for training units such as command and control systems, aircraft, and missiles, provides opportunities for tactical data link analysis.

Including NATO Link-11, Link-16, Link-22, Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP), Standard Interface for Multiple Link Evaluation Platform (SIMPLE) and many other tactical data link standards, TDLSim allows the virtualization of all elements of the Link-16 network and its hardware.

TDLSim software was developed by MilSOFT as a domestic product. It is actively used by the Turkish Army Command, Turkish Air Force Command, Aselsan, TENTBITAK SAGE, Azerbaijan Air Force and Pakistan Armed Forces.