Common Data Link (CDL)

DoD’s only operational ultra wide-band, digital, secure data link is an OSD mandate for all airborne ISR systems. It supports multiple downlink rates from 10.71 Mbps to 274 Mbps and beyond. A “product line” that provides standardized wide-band, digital, secure communication paths between reconnaissance sensors and their users, it is interoperable through enforcement of a common specification.

CDL provides full-duplex, jam resistant, digital microwave communications from ISR platforms to Surface Terminals and/or Airborne Terminals. BAE Systems CDL products support from 200 Kbps to 274 Mbps and are GFP/Ethernet (CDL Spec Rev. F. Annex II B) compliant. Proven interoperability between vendor CDL products has been demonstrated with BAE Systems CDL terminals.

The BAE Systems CDL terminals have successfully supported U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army and MIT LL platforms. The CDL terminals operate 950 to 2050 MHz and can block up/down to support multiple frequency types for both Line of Sight and Beyond Line of Sight.

BAE Systems CDL components and Digital Coherent Combining technology have been successfully proven on the ONR Modular Integrated Link Electronics System (MILES) during demonstrations at the Surface Aviation Interoperability Laboratory (SAIL) Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, Md.