Link 1 is a

computer network A computer network is a set of computers sharing resources located on or provided by network nodes. The computers use common communication protocols over digital interconnections to communicate with each other. These interconnections are ...

standard developed by

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...

to provide information exchange for

air defence Anti-aircraft warfare, counter-air or air defence forces is the battlespace response to aerial warfare, defined by NATO as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action".AAP-6 It includes surface based, ...

General description

Link 1 is a point-to-point, duplex, non-encrypted,

digital Digital usually refers to something using discrete digits, often binary digits. Technology and computing Hardware *Digital electronics, electronic circuits which operate using digital signals **Digital camera, which captures and stores digital i ...

Tactical Data Link A tactical data link (TDL) uses a data link standard in order to provide communication via radio waves or cable used by NATO nations. All military C3 systems use standardized TDL to transmit, relay and receive tactical data. Multi-TDL network ...

(TDL) Standard for the automatic exchange of Track and Strobe data, combined with link and data management messages between ground based ASACS-elements / e.g. CRC and

CAOC Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs) are multinational headquarters for tactical and operational control of NATO Air Forces below the Joint Force Command level''. They operate within the NATO Integrated Air Defense System (NATINADS) framework. ...

, specific units (TACCS / MC) and data link

buffer Buffer may refer to: Science * Buffer gas, an inert or nonflammable gas * Buffer solution, a solution used to prevent changes in pH * Buffering agent, the weak acid or base in a buffer solution * Lysis buffer, in cell biology * Metal ion buffer * ...

s (SSSB, CSI). In everyday language, the different meaning of the wording ''Link 1 TDL Standard (format)'' and ''Link 1 information content (subject matter)'' to be transmitted on this particular TDL Standard is mixed up in many cases. Remark: * TACCS / MC = Tactical Air Command and Control Service / (NATO) Major Command) * SSSB = Ship Shore Ship

Buffer Buffer may refer to: Science * Buffer gas, an inert or nonflammable gas * Buffer solution, a solution used to prevent changes in pH * Buffering agent, the weak acid or base in a buffer solution * Lysis buffer, in cell biology * Metal ion buffer * ...

* CSI = CRC/SAM Interface : SAM =

Surface-to-air missile A surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as a ground-to-air missile (GTAM) or surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW), is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. It is one type of anti-aircraft syst ...

History

Link 1 is a NATO ''first Generation's'' TDL Standard. It was developed in the 1950s as pure ''Air Surveillance'' data link format in order to exchange radar track date between defined ''Areas of Responsibility – AOR '' (geographical areas) or ''Track Continuity Areas (TCA)''.

Data links first generation

NATO first generation's TDL Standards were developed in line with the appropriate Standardization Agreement (

STANAG In NATO, a standardization agreement (STANAG, redundantly: STANAG agreement) defines processes, procedures, terms, and conditions for common military or technical procedures or equipment between the member countries of the alliance. Each NATO st ...

) in the mid 1960s. These proprietary types of data formats do not support direct data and information exchange between different military

IT architecture Information technology architecture is the process of development of methodical information technology specifications, models and guidelines, using a variety of information technology notations, for example Unified Modeling Language (UML), within a ...

s without specific conversion of data. NATO TDL Standards are being developed by the ''Data Link Working Group (DLWG) '' of the ''Information Systems Sub-Committee (ISSC).'' See also TDL Synopsis).

Utilisation

Today the Link 1 TDL Standard is not only used by NATO nations but also in

Partnership for Peace The Partnership for Peace (PfP; french: Partenariat pour la paix) is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) program aimed at creating trust between the member states of NATO and other states mostly in Europe, including post-Soviet states; ...

(PfP) countries. Air Force internal it supports NATO Air Defence Ground Environment (NADGE) and is used by the TACC Service, in CRC, CAOC and Air Defence.

Types of tracks

The following tracks are exchanged by Link 1 between different users of the Recognized Air Picture (RAP). * Ground Environment Tracks (GE Tracks):
tracks, which have received their last position-update by a ground site. These are either local ore remote. *

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Tracks (AEW Tracks):
Tracks, which have received their last position-update by an AEW-platforms. These are always remote. * GE / AEW Tracks:
These Tracks are used as "Track Pairs" for registration purposes and are update by both the ground site and AEW. *

E-3A The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an American airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Boeing. E-3s are commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). Derived from the Boeing 707 airliner, it provides all-weath ...

Tracks:
The Tracks of an active E-3A, usually correlated with the received P-1 Message on IJMS.

Messages

The following link messages are supported by Link 1 in the NATO Air Defense Ground Environment (NADGE): * S0 – Test Message: Used to test the channel in order to exchange Link 1 data. The S0 is, on average, transmitted every 10 seconds. * S3 –

IFF In logic and related fields such as mathematics and philosophy, "if and only if" (shortened as "iff") is a biconditional logical connective between statements, where either both statements are true or both are false. The connective is bicon ...

/SIF Message: Use to transmit the IFF/SIF Mode 1, 2 and 3 on a specific Track. This Message is always associated with a S4 Basic Track Data Messages. * S4 – Basic Track Data Message: Used to report the basic positional data of a track. The S4 is either associated with S3 or an S5 message. * S5 – Expanded Track Data Message: Used in conjunction with S4 (or S8) to report the additional data of a track. The initial transmission of an S4 / S5 message combination initiates a new Track at the receiving Link 1 site. * S6 – Weapon Assignment Message: Used to transmit weapon assignment S6 Messages.

Specification

The NATO Link 1 TDL Standard is characterised by the specification as:

Conclusion

Link 1, as a NATO 1st generation TDL Standard, is out of date and no longer meets operational requirements. Moreover, there is no

IT security Computer security, cybersecurity (cyber security), or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, the ...

of information transmitted, as the result of no

Electronic countermeasure An electronic countermeasure (ECM) is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar, or other detection systems, like infrared (IR) or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting info ...

(ECM) resistance and insufficient encryption. Although Link 1 became obsolete, it is still in operation.{{when , date=November 2018

References

* Allied Data Processing Publication 33 (ADatP-33) NHQC3S/ISEB (DLSS)

External links

US Department of Defense quick search for military standards

NATO Link 1 STANAG 5501
Military communications of the United States NATO standardisation