Topic summary
Tactical data link

Military data link standard IT technicians study TDL data on a computer terminal (US Naval Network and Space Operations Command) in a June 2004 image 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. Change of terminology The term tactical digital information link (TADIL) was made obsolete (per DISA guidance) and is now more commonly seen as tactical data link (TDL). Tactical data link character TDLs are characterized by their standard message and transmission formats. This is usually written as <Message Format>/<Transmission Format>. TDL standards in NATO 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 s