Overview of US Military Tactical Targeting Networking Technology Data Link

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The following article is from Electric Science and Technology Defense, authored by Zhang Chunlei, Li Zifu, and Chen Dingding from China Electronics Technology Group Corporation 36th Research Institute.

Tactical Targeting Networking Technology (TTNT) is a networking technology, more precisely, a networked data link technology. The network built by this technology is currently an important tactical edge network in the US Air Force airborne network.

The biggest difference between this data link and traditional data links (such as link 4A, link 11, link 16, etc.) is not in the expansion of bandwidth, but in that TTNT is a true “network” in the real sense. It has freed itself from the point-to-point communication method of data links and shifted to a centerless, self-organizing network based on IP ad hoc networking.

This change from “link to network” has a huge impact. For example, it is precisely because of the capability of IP routing that the TTNT network can support more than 1000 users.

Overview of US Military Tactical Targeting Networking Technology Data Link

Tactical Targeting Networking Technology (TTNT) was initially a project developed in collaboration between the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Rockwell Collins (with more companies involved in the early stages) to provide high-speed, long-range communication links for airborne platforms to support precise strikes on time-sensitive targets.

The impetus for the project was that traditional aerial tactical platforms were only equipped with low-speed data links and had poor flexibility, which was far from sufficient to support the targeting and precise strikes on time-sensitive targets. TTNT effectively addresses this issue by enabling seamless, on-demand, low-overhead networking of sensors, shooters, and commanders.

TTNT is one of the main network-centric warfare projects developed by DARPA, with the goal of achieving tactical networked operations in forward deployment areas.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to develop digital, high-bandwidth, anti-jamming, and highly secure interoperable waveforms. To this end, DARPA mainly developed three projects, including: Networked Radiation Source Location Project Advanced Tactical Targeting Technology (AT3); Miniaturized Multi-band Software Defined Radio QNT; and IP-based, On-Demand Tactical Networking Project TTNT.

1. Overview

TTNT’s main research work was completed in 2006 and was put into battlefield use in 2008. The project has now been transferred to various branches of the US military, with future development and improvement responsibilities also assigned to them, with the US Air Force taking a leading role in the project.

The final product of the project is a system that includes network terminals, with the number of terminals expected to continue to grow. TTNT can complement the capabilities of existing tactical data link networks, enhance airborne network capabilities, and enable rapid, low-latency message transmission. Its network planning requirements are low, allowing new nodes to join and leave the network without pre-planning.

TTNT networks feature low latency, high throughput, and low cost, and can coexist with existing Link 16 data links. The initial research content of the project included: signal coexistence analysis (capture and tracking), near-instantaneous network formation and disbandment, evaluation of transmission power alternatives, network scalability, transmission security, and RF terminal alternatives evaluation, as well as budget assessments.

TTNT is primarily deployed in specific platforms in the form of waveforms and can be installed on almost all types of aircraft, ships, and vehicles. It has been tested and installed on platforms such as: E-3 AWACS, E-2C AWACS, F/A-18 fighter, F-15 fighter, F-16 fighter, B-52 bomber, B-2 bomber, XB-47 bomber, Predator drone, Global Hawk drone, Apache helicopter, Black Hawk helicopter, aircraft carriers, small vessels, ground vehicles, etc.

From a combat application perspective, the TTNT network is used as a tactical edge network within the tactical network edge of the US Air Force airborne network, as shown in Figure 1. The air trunk network currently employed is Link 16.

Figure 1 Schematic of TTNT Combat Application

TTNT networks operate in the L band (1350-1850 MHz), with their technical requirements and measured conditions shown in Table 1.

Table 1 TTNT Network Technical Requirements and Measured Conditions

2. Key Technologies

Statistical Priority Multiple Access (SPMA)

TTNT employs a Statistical Priority Multiple Access (SPMA) method to ensure the system can achieve the goal of “latency below 2 milliseconds.” The basic principle is to use statistical channel metrics over a period of time to determine the order of message packet transmissions, as shown in Figure 2.

It can be seen that the core of this technology is the statistical channel occupancy rate. In simple terms, it means: on-demand rejection of low-priority traffic to keep the traffic throughput consistently high; delaying low-priority traffic when the traffic peaks to maintain a stable level of traffic.

Figure 2 Technical Requirements and Measured Conditions of TTNT Network

SPMA’s main feature is to provide sustained and stable network performance in dynamic environments. Specifically, its characteristics can be detailed as follows: when channel conditions allow, message packets can be sent immediately; by controlling the traffic volume on the channel, the overall traffic volume is maintained at a stable level; when traffic increases, control low-priority traffic to maintain a steady rate of successful initial access for message packets; maintain high throughput for higher-priority traffic; reduce complexity and traffic costs caused by Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA); support scalability for user numbers (over 200 users).

Counter-espionage and Anti-jamming Technology

In terms of counter-espionage, as a military data link, TTNT has many considerations regarding low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD). Few technical details are revealed in this area, but they generally include the following aspects: adopting a fully directional antenna system, with the possibility of adding low data rate transmission capability on a directional system basis; allowing access to friendly channels that meet low probability of intercept/low probability of detection conditions; reducing signal characteristics in free space; enabling multi-hop routing; supporting “silent node” operational mode.

In terms of anti-jamming, TTNT mainly employs the following technologies or strategies: supporting multi-rate networking, with data rates of 2 Mbps, 500 kbps, and 250 kbps, supporting various data rate modes, and adjusting rates based on channel interference conditions to maintain normal communication; implementing power control, achieving data exchange at various power levels and data rates, with terminals adjusting modes based on link quality, maintaining good link quality even in the face of interference while saving network capacity; using frequency subset division and frequency cancellation, allowing information to be received on a frequency subset while canceling one frequency, thus not affecting the reliability of the data link.

3. Development History

In 2001, based on the research results of the economically feasible mobile surface target engagement (AMSTE) project and the advanced tactical targeting technology (AT3) project, DARPA began to focus on networked targeting technology and initiated the TTNT project. The main contractors for the TTNT project included Rockwell Collins, Data Link Solutions, and ViaSat. Important events during the TTNT development process are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 Important Events in the TTNT Development Process

4. Overview of Demonstration and Validation

During the development process, TTNT conducted a series of capability demonstrations, from which its specific capabilities can be glimpsed.

Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise in 2004 and 2005

The TTNT terminal prototype successfully demonstrated its capabilities during the Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise (JEFX 2004) held in October 2004, with the configuration shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 TTNT Configuration in the 2004 Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise

2005 IP-based Core Technology Flight Demonstration

In September 2005, DARPA successfully conducted a flight demonstration of the core IP-based TTNT technology. By connecting tactical aircraft and ground nodes, the global information grid could be extended to mobile platforms to achieve targeting and strikes on time-sensitive targets.

During the exercise, the TTNT network successfully demonstrated the following capabilities: achieving a transmission rate of 2 Mbps over a range of 100 nautical miles (approximately 185 kilometers); maintaining a transmission capacity of 10 Mbps; achieving data transmission over distances exceeding 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) within 2 milliseconds in low-latency mode; coexisting with the military’s existing Link 16 network; completing new node registration and network entry within 5 seconds; and data transmission distances exceeding 300 nautical miles (approximately 555 kilometers); enabling beyond-line-of-sight multi-node data transmission, for example, the TTNT network could send tactical IP application data from aircraft to the Joint Air Operations Center (CAOC), air force bases, or the Department of Defense located in the US.

Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise in 2006

In April 2006, during the Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise (JEFX 2006) held at Nellis Air Force Base, Boeing participated in a large-scale simulated combat experiment, successfully testing network-centric communication and targeting technology. Boeing equipped the F/A-18F and F-15E fighters, B-1B and B-52H bombers, E-3 AWACS, and seven ground vehicles with TTNT terminals, achieving networking through TTNT devices and other networking equipment.

One of the eight planned tasks for the TTNT project in 2006 was non-traditional ISR information services, requiring platforms equipped with TTNT, such as F-15s and F/A-18s, B-1s, and B-52s, to send static and video target imagery to the Joint Air Operations Center or directly to strike aircraft like the B-1, or to ground mobile command stations installed on multi-purpose wheeled vehicles. The integration of TTNT marked the first time that AWACS had broadband capabilities, allowing it to integrate into the IP-based global information grid and serve as a key combat management node during the exercises.

Additionally, during the exercises, Boeing also conducted other modeling and simulation tests for the TTNT project. Boeing engineers demonstrated a directed networking waveform (DNW) based on a broadband IP networking architecture during the exercises. This is a new mobile theater ad hoc network waveform, first demonstrated in 2004, capable of providing soldiers with multi-source, secure ISR data, with data rates up to 1000 times that of the data links already deployed at the time.

Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise in 2008

The Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise (JEFX 2008) held at Nellis Air Force Base in 2008 integrated actual air and ground forces, simulation, and technology insertion.

During this period, pilots of the US Air Force F-22 Raptor used the experimental version of TTNT to send and receive information such as targeting messages, images, airspace updates, and even free-text messages on cockpit touchscreen displays.

Although the download method was not part of the combat usage plan, this test demonstrated the potential utility of information sharing technology in the F-22. The primary mission of the F-22 is to achieve rapid long-range air superiority, and JEFX emphasized using TTNT to connect all aircraft and provide the ground station with the best aerial situation map potential.

Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise in 2010

In June 2010, Rockwell Collins demonstrated the networking capabilities of TTNT and QNT during the Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise (JEFX 2010).

The exercise focused on asymmetric warfare, targeting, intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance, and precision engagement capabilities. TTNT and QNT provided rapid communication, coordination, and networking capabilities for tactical edge forces, shortening the time for ground combat personnel to lock, track, target, strike enemy targets, and assess outcomes.

Platforms using TTNT and QNT technologies during the exercises included E-2C AWACS, E-3 AWACS and control aircraft, F-16 fighters, Northrop Grumman’s targeting pods, and Orion drones.

X-47B Drone Carrier TTNT Demonstration in 2013

In March 2013, Northrop Grumman and the US Navy used TTNT technology in the deck landing tests of the X-47B unmanned combat aerial vehicle on the USS Truman (CVN-75).

The test demonstrated the ability of deck personnel to quickly and accurately guide the X-47B for takeoff and landing using a wireless handheld controller, as shown in Figure 4. This test marked the first landing test of the X-47B on an aircraft carrier.

Figure 4 X-47B Using TTNT Technology for Deck Landing Tests

Fleet Experiment in 2013

During the 2013 Fleet Experiment, Boeing and the US Navy jointly demonstrated the networked precision passive location capabilities of the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AWACS, as shown in Figure 5.

During the exercise, two EA-18Gs and one E-2D used their electronic support measures (ESM) systems (EA-18G’s ALQ-218 reconnaissance receiver and E-2D’s ALQ-217 reconnaissance receiver) to receive target radiation source signals (shipborne RF radiation sources), and then the received signals were shared and collaboratively located using the tactical targeting networking technology (TTNT) waveform (hardware used Harris’s data link terminal).

Figure 5 EA-18G Networked Precision Location Configuration Schematic (2013 Exercise)

The exercise mainly utilized the time difference of arrival (TDOA) positioning algorithm developed by Northrop Grumman, which can achieve precise and rapid passive location. Although two platforms can use this algorithm, three platforms were used in the exercise mainly to achieve faster de-ambiguation.

The exercise results showed that the positioning accuracy was sufficient to track a vessel moving at 15 knots (approximately 30 kilometers per hour) and could directly guide missiles to strike the vessel (no active devices such as radar were used throughout the exercise). Additionally, the US Navy stated that the network-centric collaborative targeting (NCCT) developed by the US Air Force could also be integrated.

Networked Sensor Exercise in 2017

In August 2017, the US Navy conducted the “Networked Sensors 2017” (NS17) air exercise, which mainly focused on sensor networking based on the TTNT data link, aiming to improve situational awareness and tactical targeting.

The exercise used F/A-18E Super Hornet fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft as TTNT platforms.

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Overview of US Military Tactical Targeting Networking Technology Data Link

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