Leonardo DRS said Thursday the company’s Link-22 Signal Processing Controller has successfully completed formal interoperability testing with NATO, clearing the way to supply the capability to additional allies and member nations.

The Link-22 SPC tactical data link solution went through testing within the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) Link-22 Network, certifying the tool meets “specifications for current and emerging mission requirements for users around the world.”

Ships steam in formation during exercise Formidable Shield 19 on May 9, 2019.. Formidable Shield is designed to improve allied interoperability in a live-fire, integrated air and missile defense environment using NATO command and control reporting structures. (Photo: U.S. Navy).
Ships steam in formation during exercise Formidable Shield 19 on May 9, 2019. Formidable Shield is designed to improve allied interoperability in a live-fire, integrated air and missile defense environment using NATO command and control reporting structures. (Photo: U.S. Navy).

“Leonardo DRS is very proud to provide a fully-compliant Link-22 solution to our allies around the world. “These systems are positioned for current and emerging mission requirements and the signal processor controllers ensure U.S. and allied forces have the best long-haul communications and situational awareness possible,” Larry Ezell, vice president of the company’s airborne and intelligence systems business, said in a statement. 

Compliance with the NATO standard ensures full interoperability with the Link-22 SPC, according to Leonardo DRS, who specifically cited its role in support operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific. 

The Link-22 SPC tactical data link tool is used to help facilitate the exchange of data, to include radar tracking and beyond-line-of-sight information, by connecting platforms across domains and between coalition partners.

“Leonardo DRS’ Link-22 SPC solution is well-positioned for current missions and is primed to accept additional missions due to its abundance of spare memory and additional processing power. Utilizing next generation hardware and software architecture, coupled with software-defined radio and software-defined modem technologies, the company is able to offer enhanced capabilities while retaining the look, feel, and operational reliability to which the world’s operators have grown accustomed.”

The company said it has delivered over a thousand Link-22-capable SPCs and more than 3,000 Link-11 Data Terminal Sets to date.