US Army selects L3Harris for Common Data Link sustainment
Conceptual image of Common Data Link architecture. (Image: BAE Systems)
L3Harris is to maintain the backbone secure communications protocol for the US armed forces and intelligence services.
Sole bidder L3Harris Technologies has received a ten-year contract worth $886.53 million from the US Army to sustain the Common Data Link (CDL) secure communications programme.
‘Work locations and funding will be determined with each order,’ the DoD announced on 23 September, with an estimated completion date of 22 September 2032.
Established by the DoD in 1991 as the jamming-resistant backbone protocol for SIGINT and imagery intelligence, CDL is used by the DoD and US intelligence community for wideband real-time downlink secure transmission in the Ku-band of sensor data (from EO, IR and synthetic aperture payloads, for instance) and real-time uplink control of sensor payloads.
Related Articles
Thales and L3Harris battle for SINCGARS modernisation orders
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister]()
Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister
Estonia is looking to boost its local defence industry with directed funding, industry parks, support through international orders for equipment and rapid prototyping.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
-
![New Zealand buys tri-service uncrewed kit from Syos Aerospace]()
New Zealand buys tri-service uncrewed kit from Syos Aerospace
As uncrewed technology continues to play an increasingly central role in modern military activities, New Zealand’s recent acquisitions point towards its the force’s focus on cost-effective capability.
