Interoperability and Information Exchange Achieved
Ultra's airborne Tactical Data Link System experience commenced with the award of a Link-11 Data Link Processor contract for the UK's Merlin helicopter in 1993. This was followed by the award of an associated Data Terminal Set (Modem and Network Controller) contract and a Prime Contract to design and integrate a Link-11 encryption device, the BID 2200, into the Data Link Processor. The development of this system for Merlin led to a number of further contracts for UK, Australia, Canada, USA, NATO NC3A, Poland, Romania and Sweden for Link-11 products and systems. By 2010, Ultra expect to have supplied in excess of a 1000 Tactical Data Link systems and products worldwide.
Ultra's latest product is the Multi Link Processor (MLP). This is a single, line replaceable unit (LRU) that is capable of hosting Link-11 Data Terminal Set (DTS), Link-11 cryptographic device (BID 2200) and Link-11 processing. The functionality of the MLP can be tailored to suit the customers requirement; from Link-11 crypto only (KG-40A equivalent) to a complete Link-11 system. The MLP can also host Link-16 processing capability, enabling the operation of concurrent Link-11 and Link-16 (including forwarding between the two links).
To reduce life cycle costs, the MLP has built in upgrade paths to Link-22.