New data-sharing systems – leading naval communications into the future

Navy News / May 6, 2021

By Captain Jeff Klassen

During the recent Task Group Exercise (TGEX) 21-01, the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Pacific Fleet introduced two new data-sharing systems that significantly improve its strategic and joint capabilities. These capabilities showcase Canada as a global leader in naval communications.

One new enhancement gives maritime coastal defence vessels (MCDVs) and the rest of the fleet the ability to share sensor information with each other instantaneously and across the globe, while the other greatly improves how task groups work together.

“This stuff is really nerdy to talk about; it can be difficult to understand, but it’s also really fascinating,” said Master Sailor (MS) Jefren Liu, a Naval Combat Information Operator, who worked to implement the new systems during TGEX 21-01.

Recent improvements are extensions to the Pacific Fleet’s Tactical Data Link (TDL) capabilities. TDL is a collection of data-sharing systems that coordinate information from various assets around the globe and combine them into a single, wide-reaching, tactical data picture that can be used by all parties linked to it.

The TDL concept is not new – permutations of the same concept date back to the Second World War, with the Canadian Armed Forces, including the RCN, using it for years; however, the recent additions immensely improve some of its capabilities.

Perhaps the more significant of the two TDL upgrades is Joint Range Extension Application Protocol-C (JREAP-C). This new capability means tactical data is shared instantly via satellite technology to all other assets on the network. This greatly increases command and control of the fleet from higher levels and allows individual ships access to high quality information beyond the range of their organic sensors and platforms.

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Calgary is the first ship to have the capability on the West Coast.

Because MCDVs are frequently deployed on Operation CARIBBE in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean to assist in drug interdiction and counter-smuggling operations, JREAP-C greatly increases their ability to spot vessels of interest and remain safe from threats. This means intercepting more smugglers with less risk to our deployed sailors.

“JREAP-C is not just an improvement, it’s a different game altogether. Once you get rid of the range limitations you can be fearless as a naval vessel because you know exactly where threats are at all times, so you are able to prepare and position yourself well in advance,” explains MS Liu.

The other new TDL advancement is Link 22. It is intended as an eventual replacement to Link 11, a system of data sharing routed through a single node (a net control station), which meant the TDL network was at risk if that single point was malfunctioning or damaged. Link 22 replaces this with a net cycle structure. The workings of it are difficult to explain but, essentially, it works something like a cell phone tower and, importantly, there is no single hub that everything is routed through as ships connect directly with each other through hundreds of carefully synced group broadcasts per second.

While JREAP-C is about sharing data across the globe, Link 22 is about sharing detailed sensor information to those within a certain distance. This is particularly valuable for ships in a task group.

“The capabilities brought to us with Link 22 are a big improvement. The Navy is moving forward. In the Pacific maritime environment, the only other country that has Link 22 is Australia, so we are really ahead of the game here,” said MS Liu.

Both upgrades will increase the fleet’s interoperability with partners and allies. The new systems show the Navy is moving forward with the plans laid out in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, which states that joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities are a priority.