Hawklink

The BAE Systems/Harris CDL Hawklink project is a long-range program that fulfills the U.S. Navy’s deficiency in surface fleet antisubmarine warfare. The solution is an air-to-surface Ku-band Common Data Link (CDL) Hawklink system for the MH-60R Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopter. Hawklink is a high-speed digital data link that transmits tactical video, radar, acoustic, and other sensor data from MH-60R helicopters to their host surface ships.

The Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS) Radio System set is comprised of an air Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (MUX) Radio Chassis, a ship Data Processor Assembly (DPA) Radio Assembly and a Control Video Device (CVD). The system is designed to operate at a fully duplexed high digital data rate in the Ku-Band radio frequency, offering the capability to deliver data, images, communication and radar information in near real time. Both the MDM and DPA are Weapon Replaceable Assemblies (WRA) and consist of Shop Replaceable Assemblies (SRA).

Part of the Navy’s Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS), a weapon system consisting of a helicopter (MH-60R, MH-60S) and its host surface ship (CG-47, DDG-51, FFG-7) supports multiple missions: Surface & Under Sea Warfare, OTH Surveillance & Targeting, Search & Rescue, Medical Evacuation, Vertical Replenishment, Communications Relay.