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Link 16 Coverage From Space, Laser Communications Relays Make Major Advances

The Space Development Agency is seeing major promise during testing of new low-cost Link 16 datalink, laser communications, and missile tracking satellites. The Space Development Agency is busy testing the potential for datalinks, laser communications, and missile tracking via satellites.

The initial space-to-ground Link 16 connection was from LEO and involved three of York’s T0 Transport Layer satellites and what the SDA described as “a series of receivers using terrestrial radios during three demonstrations held November 21-27, 2023.” Link 16 is a NATO-standard tactical datalink communication system and one that’s central to U.S. and allied military operations, allowing coalition forces to seamlessly transmit and exchange real-time situational awareness data. The importance of PWSA shouldn’t be underestimated, with the SDA describing it as nothing less than “the backbone of JADC2 in space.” Once up and running, the delivery of tactical messages, including beyond-line-of-sight scenarios, will be achieved not only by platforms within the atmosphere but also by a network of Link 16 systems aboard multiple space vehicles.

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