Link 1

Link 1 is a computer network standard developed by NATO to provide information exchange for air defence.

General description

Link 1 is a point-to-point, duplex, non-encrypted, digital NATO Tactical Data Link (TDL) Standard for the automatic exchange of Track and Strobe data, combined with link and data management messages between ground based ASACS-elements / e.g. CRC and CAOC), specific units (TACCS / MC) and data link buffers (SSSB, CSI).

In everyday language, the different meaning of the wording Link 1 TDL Standard (format) and Link 1 information content (subject matter) to be transmitted on this particular TDL Standard is mixed up in many cases.

History

Link 1 is a NATO first Generation’s TDL Standard. It was developed in the 1950s as pure Air Surveillance data link format in order to exchange radar track date between defined Areas of Responsibility – AOR (geographical areas) or Track Continuity Ares (TCA).

Data links first Generation

NATO first generation’s TDL Standards were developed in line with the appropriate Standardization Agreement (STANAG) in the mid 1960s. These proprietary types of data formats do not support direct data and information exchange between different military IT architectures without specific conversion of data.

NATO TDL Standards are being developed by the Data Link Working Group (DLWG) of the Information Systems Sub-Committee (ISSC). See also TDL Synopsis).

Utilisation

Today the Link 1 TDL Standard is not only used by NATO nations but also in Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries. Air Force internal it supports NATO Air Defence Ground Environment (NADGE) and is used by the TACC Service, in CRC, CAOC and Air Defence.

Types of tracks

The following tracks are exchanged by Link 1 between different users of the Recognized Air Picture (RAP).

• Ground Environment Tracks (GE Tracks):
  tracks, which have received their last position-update by a ground site. These are either local ore remote.
• Airborne Early Warning Tracks (AEW Tracks):
  Tracks, which have received their last position-update by a AEW-platforms. These are always remote.
• GE / AEW Tracks:
  These Tracks are used as “Track Pairs” for registration purposes and are update by both the ground site and AEW.
• E-3A Tracks:
  The Tracks of an active E-3A, usually correlated with the received P-1 Message on IJMS.

Messages

The following link messages are supported by Link 1 in the NATO Air Defense Ground Environment (NADGE):

• S0 – Track Message: Used to test the channel in order to exchange Link 1 data. The S0 is, on average, transmitted every 10 seconds.
• S3 – IFF / SIF Message: Use to transmit the IFF / SIF Mode 1, 2 and 3 on a specific Track. This Message is always associated with a S4 Basic Track Data Messages.
• S4 – Basic Track Data Message: Used to report the basic positional data of a track. The S4 is either associated with S3 or an S5 message.
• S5 – Expanded Track Data Message: Used in conjunction with S4 (or S8) to report the additional data of a track. The initial transmission of an S4 / S5 message combination initiates a new Track at the receiving Link 1 site.
• S6 – Weapon Assignment Message: Used to transmit weapon assignment S6 Messages.

Specification

The NATO Link 1 TDL Standard is characterised by the specification as:

Link 1	Specification	Term
Reference		STANAG 5501 (Ed. 4) Jan 2007 NCGX-101-IS
Standardization level	NATO Data Link Standard	S-series-messages
Configuration’s controlling		- ADSC (Implementation) - ADSIA (Standards)
Services concerned and TACC Systems		Air Force, Army NADGE, national weapon management systems
Messages transmitted	1. surveillance (only air) 2. ECM-strobe-tell 3. Info-management
Message- format	2 messages/frame - 128 bits/frame - 49 infobits/message	fixed message format
Message Series		S-series
Number of Messages	6
Speed of transmission	1200 bit/sec (basic speed) 600 or 2400 bit/sec (alternate speed)
Communication	FSK, point-to-point	FOC, Wire, Radio relay
IT-Security	ECM Encrytion	NO NO
Releasable to:	- NATO - PfP nations - Internet	Yes Yes Yes

Conclusion

Link 1, as a NATO 1st generation’s TDL Standard, is out of date and no longer meets operational requirements. Moreover, there is no IT security of information transmitted, as the result of no Electronic countermeasure (ECM) resistance and insufficient encryption. Although Link 1 became obsolete, it was still in operation.

References

• Allied Data Processing Publication 33 (ADatP-33) NHQC3S/ISEB (DLSS)

External links

• US Department of Defense quick search for military standards
• NATO STANAG Library (in English)
• NATO STANAG search engine (in French)
• NATO Link 1 STANA 5501