Harris Corporation's Weapon Data Link for Small Diameter Bomb Increment
An advanced data link developed by Harris Corporation and ViaSat for Boeing's proposed Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) program has completed risk-reduction tests, receiving Type 1 certification from the National Security Agency. Successful completion of risk reduction means the aircraft-launched munition is now ready for the Engineering Manufacture and Development (EMD) phase of the program.
The SDB II Weapon Data Link (WDL) will connect the munitions to tactical networks, allowing operators to engage moving targets on the ground even after a munition is launched. Harris successfully demonstrated the system using Link-16 and Combat Net Radio UHF transmissions as part of the SDB II risk reduction program, which was completed in October. In both Link-16 and UHF modes, the munition's messaging protocol - a critical requirement for network-enabled weapons - was demonstrated successfully.
"SDB II provides the warfighter with the ability to attack mobile targets from stand-off distances in adverse weather conditions," said Dan Jaspering, director of Direct Attack Weapons for Boeing Weapons Programs. "NSA certification and the Link 16 and UHF Over the Air (OTA) demonstrations retire three key remaining risk items on the program and help pave the way for the transition to EMD."
The Harris Small Secure Network Terminal (SSNT), a network-enabled radio using a software communications architecture, received National Security Agency (NSA) Type 1 certification. Type 1 certification means the Weapon Data Link is able to communicate secret-level classified information. The Harris Sierra II(tm) encryption technology provides the foundation for this level of information security.
"Type 1 certification was completed prior to the EMD phase of the program to mitigate any remaining risk," said Wes Covell, president of Harris Defense Programs. "Type-1 certification ensures our warfighters will have the highest levels of information security for the network-enabled munitions they'll rely on in the future."
Harris and teammate ViaSat will provide the dual waveform data link to Boeing for the joint US Air Force and Navy SDB II program.
Source: Harris Corporation
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Northrop Grumman achieves design milestone for US Pacific missile tracking
The company's Relay Ground Station-Asia for the US Naval Information Warfare Center, to be stationed in Guam, has passed its preliminary design review.
-
From Information to Insight (sponsored)
Until the 21st century, intelligence was gathered in discreet ways. People would go undercover, use secret codes, and pass intelligence over at park benches. With thanks to the huge leap forward in technology, we now live in a world with an abundance of easily accessible information.
-
L3Harris contracted for mobility research to inform autonomous systems development
L3Harris has been contracted by the US Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity to carry out human mobility modelling and simulation to support development of future autonomous systems.
-
US Marine Corps enhances tactical comms with L3Harris radio contracts
The US Marine Corps is acquiring further L3Harris Falcon IV tactical radios under two new contracts.