Focus Day A: 23rd February 2010

Hosted by: Tony Castle, Manager, SyntheSys Training Business

This workshop will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Tactical Data Links, issues associated with their acquisition, management and operational use – and approaches to ensuring operationally focused TDL implementation and interoperability

It will also provide you with insight into the integration of TDL capability into the wider C4ISTAR domain from a Combat ID perspective and potential future TDL architectures to enable migration from legacy to “Service Oriented” TDL Architectures.

10.00 Introduction To TDLs – Link 11, Link 16, Link 22, JRE And VMF

12.00 Workshop – Integrated Use Of TDLs

14.00 Acquisition Of A National TDL Capability

• Concepts & Doctrine
• Standards and Configuration Management
• Interoperability Assurance
• Operational Planning & Network Management
• Training & Acquisition

15.45 TDLs And The Bigger Combat ID Problem

16.30 Future TDL Architectures

Tony Castle, Manager of SyntheSys Training Business unit Tony joined SyntheSys as Training Manager in June 2005 after a 30 year career as an Aerospace Systems Manager in the Royal Air Force. During his time in the RAF Tony operated various TDLs, starting with Link 11, IJMS and Link 14 in UK CRCs. In 1991 he was selected as one of the first personnel to crew the UK E3D Sentry (AWACS). Tony spent more than 10 years as AWACS crew, accruing more than 4000 flying hours and participating in many major NATO exercises (Red and Maple Flags, Clean Hunter, Cope Thunder, Flying Fish etc.).

He also participated in the coalition operations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. Involvement in these exercises and operations has provided Tony with a deep understanding of both operational and technical aspects of JTIDS/MIDS Link 16 and other TDLs. Tony was also an instructor on the E3D training school and for his final 2 years was appointed as the Staneval evaluator for all E3 related TDL matters.

Tony's last 4 years in the RAF were spent at CC Air HQ Ramstein, which has given him an excellent understanding of NATO procedures, and of the difficulties when operating in a multi national environment.

Since joining SyntheSys Tony has been responsible for the creation of various TDL training courses such as Introductions to JTIDS/MIDS Link 16, Link 22 and VMF. He has also written and presented the latest SyntheSys training course, Combat Net Radio Protocols, which covers the technical aspects of the bearer system utilised by many VMF systems. These courses have been presented to military and civilian audiences worldwide and through them SyntheSys has become recognised as one of the best trainers in the global TDL community.