BAE Systems to deliver more tactical data links to US Navy under $85 million contract

January 16, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

British aerospace and defense company BAE Systems has received a contract to deliver network tactical common data link (NTCDL) to the US Navy.

As disclosed, NTCDL will enable a real-time exchange of voice, data, imagery, and full-motion video from a variety of air, surface, subsurface, and man-portable sources.

Systems under the company’s current contract are presently being installed on US Navy aircraft carriers and will be installed on new Constellation-class frigates.

According to BAE Systems, NTCDL is a multi-platform solution for all US Navy common data link (CDL) requirements.

The company noted that this is a modular, scalable system designed to increase link capacity and embrace waveform evolution.

Furthermore, NTCDL supports multiple, simultaneous, networked operations using currently fielded CDL equipment, as well as next-generation manned and unmanned platforms.

It is expected to enable the operators to simultaneously transmit and receive real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data from multiple sources and exchange command and control information across separate or independent networks. This allows for effective communication among forces to maintain an advantage, it was highlighted.

“BAE Systems is committed to providing the U.S. Navy with a trusted and secure solution to transmit and receive the critical information needed to successfully accomplish its missions across the fleet,” said Amber Dolan, director of Adaptive Communications and Sensing at BAE Systems.

This award modifies an existing BAE Systems contract to extend the program’s total period of performance by three years. The contract modification is valued at $85 million.

Work on this contract is performed at BAE Systems’ facilities in Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey, and New York.

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