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Link 22

Link 22 is a secure tactical data link (TDL) standard developed by NATO to enable the real-time exchange of tactical information, such as sensor data and situational awareness updates, among military platforms including ships, submarines, aircraft, and ground stations.^[1] Also known as NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE), it operates in the high frequency (HF, 2–30 MHz) and ultra high frequency (UHF, 225–400 MHz) bands to support both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications in challenging environments.^[2] Designed for network-centric warfare, Link 22 facilitates enhanced interoperability and sensor-to-shooter capabilities while replacing the aging Link 11 system and complementing the more advanced Link 16.^[3] The development of Link 22 originated in the late 1980s as part of NATO's efforts to address the limitations of Link 11, such as low data rates and vulnerability to interference, with formal requirements established through a NATO Staff Requirement in 1990.^[2] It was collaboratively advanced by seven NATO member nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States—under a memorandum of understanding managed by the NILE Project Management Office.^[3] The standard was formalized in NATO's Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 5522, which specifies protocols for automatic data exchange, with initial testing beginning in 2007 and progressive operational rollout beginning around 2024 to phase out Link 11 across NATO forces. As of 2025, Link 22 has been tested in multinational exercises such as RIMPAC and deployed by navies including France's.^[1]^[2]^[4]^[5] Key technical features of Link 22 include a time-division multiple access (TDMA)-based architecture that supports up to 125 participants across up to four combined radio networks without a central net control station, ensuring resilience and flexibility in dynamic operations.^[2] It offers data rates of 4 kbps in HF mode for over-the-horizon transmission and 12 kbps in UHF mode for higher-speed line-of-sight links, with built-in jam resistance through frequency-hopping and secure encryption compliant with standards like STANAG 4205 (fixed-frequency) and STANAG 4273 (emissions of particular military interest).^[2] These capabilities make Link 22 particularly suited for maritime and joint operations, where it uses J-series messages compatible with Link 16 for seamless data sharing.^[3]

Overview

Purpose and Capabilities

Link 22 is a NATO-standardized secure digital radio link defined in STANAG 5522, designed to provide beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications using high frequency (HF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) bands.^[6]^[7] It operates as a tactical data link that interconnects air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based platforms, enabling the secure exchange of tactical information in a distributed network architecture.^[2] This system supports joint and coalition operations across NATO allies and partner nations, facilitating interoperability in diverse environments from peacetime monitoring to crisis response and wartime engagements.^[6] As of 2025, its rollout is progressing across NATO forces.^[8] The primary role of Link 22 is to enhance situational awareness and command and control by exchanging tactical data that supports sensor-to-shooter workflows.^[2] It allows commanders to monitor operations in real-time through shared pictures of the battlespace, while enabling the transmission of commands and data to subordinate units for coordinated actions.^[6] Intended as a modern replacement for predecessors like Link 11, Link 22 complements systems such as Link 16 to address limitations in legacy tactical data links, particularly in BLOS scenarios without reliance on satellites.^[7]^[2] Key capabilities include automated network management, which dynamically adjusts to maintain connectivity, and a distributed "super network" structure supporting up to 125 units across multiple sub-networks with no single point of failure for operational continuity.^[6] These features ensure resilient data exchange using J-series messages for standardized tactical information, promoting seamless integration among multinational forces.^[7] In practice, Link 22 has been employed in international exercises and operational deployments as of 2025 to validate its role in providing a common operational picture and supporting rapid decision-making in coalition settings.^[6]^[5]

Relation to Other Tactical Data Links

Tactical data links (TDLs) represent a progression in military communication systems designed to enable secure, real-time data exchange among allied forces. The evolution began with Link 1, a basic point-to-point system operating at 1,200 bps over HF and UHF frequencies to interconnect NATO terrestrial counterair locations with fixed digital messages.^[9] Link 11 advanced this foundation by introducing secure half-duplex communication at 1,800 bps, supporting up to 62 participants for air, surface, and subsurface platforms, though it remained vulnerable to jamming and constrained by low throughput.^[2] Link 16 marked a significant leap with its high-capacity, jam-resistant TDMA architecture delivering over 57,600 bps in a specific UHF band, facilitating nodeless, real-time tactical pictures but limited to line-of-sight (LOS) operations.^[9] Link 22 builds on this lineage as the most recent iteration, emphasizing enhanced interoperability and resilience for modern networked warfare.^[9] Developed under the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) program as a direct successor to Link 11, Link 22 addresses key shortcomings of its predecessor through substantially higher data rates ranging from 1,493 bps to 12,666 bps, depending on mode and frequency.^[2]^[9] It provides greater robustness against interference via advanced error correction and dynamic network management, allowing operation in adverse conditions where Link 11 would fail.^[9] Additionally, Link 22 incorporates improved jam resistance through frequency-hopping capabilities and stronger encryption, supporting up to 125 participants without the single-point failure risks of earlier systems.^[2]^[3] Link 22 serves a complementary function to Link 16 by mitigating its range and spectrum constraints, offering beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity up to 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 km) via HF, with surface wave propagation supporting ranges optimized around 300 nautical miles, in contrast to Link 16's LOS limitation in a narrow UHF segment.^[2]^[10] This enables extended naval and joint operations where Link 16 alone is insufficient. Link 22 maintains format compatibility with Link 16 through shared support for J-series messages, facilitating gateway interoperability that allows seamless data relay between the two systems.^[11] While sharing foundational TDMA principles for channel sharing, Link 22 operates on independent networks using dynamic TDMA, unlike Link 16's fixed-time-slot approach, and functions as a standalone system without reliance on Link 16's infrastructure.^[11]^[2] This separation allows Link 22 to form super-networks with relays across HF and UHF, providing additional bandwidth and flexibility in frequency-congested environments.^[11]

Development

Origins in NILE Program

In the late 1980s, NATO initiated efforts to develop a successor to Link 11, recognizing its limitations in security and data capacity for modern tactical communications.^[6] This led to the creation of the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) program, formalized through a Mission Need Statement that outlined the need for enhanced beyond-line-of-sight data exchange capabilities.^[12] The program's goals included replacing Link 11 while complementing Link 16 in joint operations.^[6] The NILE program was structured as a multinational collaboration, with the United States serving as the host nation responsible for overall coordination.^[13] A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by seven NATO member states—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain—to govern the development and sustainment of what would become Link 22.^[2] Spain joined as the seventh participant, replacing the Netherlands, which had been involved in the initial design and development phase but retained certain intellectual property rights.^[14] Oversight of the NILE program is provided by the NILE Project Management Office (PMO), located at the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Program Manager, Warfare (PMW) 150 in San Diego, California.^[12] The PMO handles software implementation, testing, and program governance under the direction of a NILE Steering Committee comprising representatives from the participating nations, ensuring unified progress toward operational deployment.^[6]

Standardization Process

The standardization of Link 22 was formalized through the NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 5522, designated in the early 2000s to establish specifications for its tactical data exchange protocols.^[6] This agreement, ratified on September 29, 2008, built on initial operational requirements outlined in a NATO Staff Requirement from March 9, 1990, and system requirements in a NATO Elementary Requirements Document from December 12, 1994. Subsequent editions include Edition 6 (2021) and Edition 7 (as of 2024), incorporating further enhancements.^[15]^[6]^[1]^[16] Key milestones in the process included the completion of Link 22 development around 2003, marking the end of core design and initial testing phases under the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) collaboration.^[6] A significant operational aid followed with the publication of the Link 22 Guidebook in July 2009 by the NILE Project Management Office (PMO), providing essential guidance for operators and planners on system implementation and use.^[6] Enhancements to the standard progressed through targeted national contributions, notably Germany's development of high-frequency (HF) fixed frequency (FF) technology from 2007 to 2009, which improved performance and tactical capabilities for HF operations.^[6] This technology was adopted by the NILE program in 2015, with full support achieved by 2016 following certification of the Link 22 Large Language Controller version 7M in February of that year.^[6] Link 22 maintains a non-commercial status, with software implementation restricted to a single configuration delivered via the System Network Controller (SNC) by the NILE PMO.^[6] It is supplied exclusively to NILE nations, while third-party sales to approved partners incur an initial levy of $46,767 per copy and an annual baseline change request fee of $300,000 (as of 2020), along with ongoing maintenance obligations.^[6]

Technical Specifications

Frequency Bands and Waveforms

Link 22 operates across two primary frequency bands to support diverse communication scenarios. The high frequency (HF) band spans 2 to 30 MHz, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) transmissions over distances up to 1,000 nautical miles, which is essential for over-the-horizon operations in naval and joint environments.^[6]^[2] In contrast, the ultra high frequency (UHF) band covers 225 to 400 MHz, facilitating line-of-sight (LOS) communications for shorter-range, higher-reliability links.^[6]^[2] At the physical layer, Link 22 employs a variety of waveforms tailored to these bands for robust performance against interference. In the HF band, fixed-frequency (FF) modes, compliant with STANAG 4539, provide baseline operation, while frequency-hopping (FH) modes, aligned with STANAG 4444, enhance anti-jamming capabilities, though FH implementation in HF remains limited.^[6] For UHF, both fixed-frequency modes (STANAG 4205) and frequency-hopping modes (STANAG 4372) support LOS links, with FH offering electronic protection measures (EPM) to mitigate jamming threats.^[6]^[2] The system supports multiple nets operating concurrently on distinct frequencies or hop sets, with each net assigned a specific waveform to optimize throughput and resilience.^[17] This configuration allows up to eight networks in a super network, enabling units to participate in multiple simultaneous links.^[6] Waveforms are selected to adapt to environmental conditions, such as propagation challenges in HF, ensuring stable links during adverse weather by operating at lower data rates when necessary.^[6] Channel sharing is managed via a time-division multiple access (TDMA) protocol to coordinate transmissions efficiently.^[17]

Protocols and Network Management

Link 22 employs a nodeless Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) protocol to enable shared channel access among participating units, allowing synchronized transmission slots without a central net control station, which adapts the approach used in Link 16 for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations via HF and UHF bands.^[6] This Dynamic TDMA (DTDMA) variant further supports automatic adjustments during congestion, where units can request additional slots to maintain data flow.^[6] The network architecture organizes communications into up to eight NILE networks accommodating a total of up to 125 units, which are collectively managed within a single logical Super Network by the System Network Controller (SNC).^[6]^[18] The SNC, implemented as centralized software, oversees overall operations including synchronization and resource distribution across these networks.^[6] Network management in Link 22 is highly automated, incorporating dynamic routing that selects optimal paths based on link quality assessments, automatic relaying among NILE units to extend coverage without dedicated airborne relays, and bandwidth reallocation to prioritize critical transmissions during varying operational demands.^[6]^[18] These features ensure resilient connectivity in contested environments by enabling real-time adaptations without manual intervention.^[6] For interoperability, Link 22 utilizes J-series tactical messages that align with the Link 16 data dictionary, facilitating seamless translation and forwarding of information through gateways between the two systems.^[6]^[18] This compatibility allows joint operations where Link 22 extends Link 16's capabilities for BLOS scenarios while preserving message integrity.^[18]

Operational Features

Communication Range and Data Rates

Link 22 achieves communication ranges that differ by frequency band, enabling flexible tactical operations. In the high-frequency (HF) band, it supports beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) transmissions with gapless coverage extending more than 1,000 nautical miles via skywave propagation, far surpassing line-of-sight limitations.^[19]^[14]^[6] In the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) band, ranges are confined to line-of-sight (LOS) distances, typically 25-50 nautical miles depending on platform elevation and terrain.^[14]^[2] Data throughput in Link 22 markedly improves upon Link 11's rates of 1.3-2.25 kilobits per second (kbps), offering up to 9.6 kbps in HF mode and 12.6 kbps in UHF mode for a single network.^[14]^[6] These rates vary based on operational mode and environmental conditions, with reductions applied in adverse scenarios to prioritize link stability over speed.^[14] Combined networks can aggregate throughput to approximately 44.5 kbps across multiple HF and UHF channels.^[6] The system's distributed architecture, leveraging time-division multiple access (TDMA), supports scalability for up to 125 participating units across a super network without degrading performance, allowing seamless integration of diverse platforms.^[14]^[6] Reliability is maintained through automated failover and relay functions, ensuring continuous data exchange even if individual units fail, with no single point of failure in the network design.^[14]^[6]

Security and Robustness

Link 22 incorporates advanced security features to protect tactical data exchanges in military operations, including frequency hopping in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band under Electronic Protection Measures (EPM) mode, which enhances jam resistance and anti-interference capabilities by rapidly switching transmission frequencies.^[6] Additionally, the system employs the Link Level COMSEC (LLC) 7M module for communications security, providing integrity checks and time-based encryption certified by the U.S. National Security Agency in 2016, ensuring that data remains confidential and unaltered during transmission.^[6]^[20] These measures collectively safeguard against electronic warfare threats, such as intentional jamming and eavesdropping, while complying with standards like STANAG 4372 for EPM implementation.^[6] In terms of robustness, Link 22 addresses key vulnerabilities of its predecessor, Link 11, which suffered from fixed-frequency operations prone to jamming and a centralized Net Control Station (NCS) architecture susceptible to single-point failures that could disrupt the entire network.^[9] Link 22 employs a nodeless Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) distributed architecture, eliminating the NCS and enabling up to 125 participating units across multiple networks without reliance on any single node, thereby preventing network collapse from isolated disruptions.^[6] This design supports automatic retransmissions and relay functions, allowing the system to maintain connectivity even if individual units are compromised or lost.^[6] The system's operational resilience is further bolstered by dynamic bandwidth allocation and adaptive TDMA protocols that enable real-time adjustments to congestion or threats, ensuring sustained performance in contested electromagnetic environments where interference is prevalent.^[6] These features, combined with robust waveforms optimized for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) propagation via high frequency (HF) and UHF bands, allow Link 22 to preserve tactical links under electronic attack conditions that would degrade legacy systems.^[6]^[9] Interoperability safeguards in Link 22 restrict secure data exchange to authorized NATO and allied forces through standardized J-series messages (specifically F and F/J formats) defined in STANAG 5522, which align with the Link 16 data dictionary to prevent unauthorized access while facilitating coalition operations.^[6] This controlled framework ensures that only equipped and certified platforms can participate, maintaining the integrity of shared tactical information across multinational units.^[6]

Adoption

Participating Nations

Link 22 was developed collaboratively by seven NATO nations under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 1996, with the United States serving as the host nation and overseeing the NATO Improved Link Eleven (NILE) Project Management Office (PMO).^[21] These core participating nations—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States—shared development costs and contributed technical expertise to create a secure tactical data link system interoperable with existing NATO networks.^[2] The MOU established a steering committee for program governance, ensuring equitable funding distribution and coordinated progress toward standardization under STANAG 5522.^[6] Each nation played distinct roles in advancing Link 22's capabilities, particularly in enhancing beyond-line-of-sight communications for naval operations. For instance, Germany contracted domestic industry from 2007 to 2009 to develop high-frequency (HF) fixed-frequency enhancements, improving performance and tactical flexibility in challenging environments.^[21] The United States, through the NILE PMO, managed overall integration and testing, while other partners like France and the United Kingdom focused on waveform optimization and network protocols to support joint maritime interoperability.^[4] Initial adoption by these nations began in the mid-2010s, with fielding prioritized on naval platforms including surface ships and submarines to replace legacy Link 11 systems.^[14] For example, the French Navy conducted early at-sea tests of Link 22 aboard the FREMM frigate Normandie in 2020, marking a key step toward operational deployment.^[22] Similarly, the U.S. Navy initiated equipping select surface combatants around 2018-2019, focusing on seamless integration with Link 16 for coalition exercises.^[6] Beyond the original collaborators, Link 22 has been extended to non-NILE nations through maintenance and support agreements managed by the PMO, allowing limited access to the system without granting full development or source code privileges.^[4] This approach ensures controlled proliferation while maintaining security and interoperability standards among allied forces.^[2]

Recent Implementations and Exercises

By 2025, the adoption of Link 22 has expanded to 26 nations fielding the system, encompassing original NILE program participants as well as non-NILE allies through commercial sales and strategic partnerships.^[4] Key recent operational tests include the French Navy's experimentation with Link 22 during its Carrier Strike Group deployment in the Indo-Pacific, conducted in February 2025 aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and supporting vessels to evaluate real-world tactical data exchange.^[23] In January 2025, a NATO-led interoperability demonstration highlighted Link 22's capabilities, building on achievements from recent Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises and involving seven nations in secure multinational communications testing.^[4] The Clemenceau 25 mission concluded in April 2025, with the French Carrier Strike Group leveraging Link 22 for enhanced tactical data sharing during multinational operations in the Indo-Pacific, confirming its operational maturity.^[24] Ongoing procurements reflect sustained investment in Link 22 infrastructure, such as NATO's 2024-2025 initiative to replace obsolete Link 11 test strings with Link 22 tactical data link capabilities at three surveillance and weapons calibration ranges in the United States.^[8] Similarly, the United States initiated acquisitions of ultra-high frequency (UHF) electronic protective measures (EPM) radios compliant with Link 22 standards in 2021 to enhance naval and joint force communications resilience.^[25] Looking ahead, future integrations may include incorporation into non-NATO allies like Taiwan, where analysts anticipated Link 22 enhancements following US approvals for tactical data link upgrades in 2023 and 2024; as of June 2025, the US plans to assist in developing a command and control system based on Link 22.^[26]^[27] This aligns with broader efforts to increase joint multinational exercises, fostering coalition enhancements through Link 22's network-centric capabilities.^[4] March 2025 assessments highlighted Link 22's solidified role in secure military communications, emphasizing its jam-resistant features and integration with existing tactical networks as pivotal for modern coalition operations.^[28]

References

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