Data Link Solutions (DLS), a joint venture of Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems, was recently awarded a direct commercial contract from NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency (NACMA) to provide Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low-Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) for Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania. The MIDS-LVT terminals are scheduled for delivery in early 2012.

“This contract broadens DLS’s base into NATO and allows the coalition warfighter access to a vital tactical data link that provides unsurpassed situational awareness,” said Heather Neff, DLS director. “Providing NATO and U.S. forces with access to all the MIDS family of products and ancillary equipment, and the capabilities they bring to bear, is our number one goal.”

MIDS-LVT was developed by a multinational consortium to provide Link 16 capability at a lower weight, volume and cost. Link 16 provides real-time data communications, situational awareness and navigation, and in some cases, digital voice and TACAN, all in a jam-resistant, crypto-secured package.

NACMA is an independent NATO Management Agency whose principal task is to conduct the central planning, system engineering, implementation and configuration management for the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS) Program. ACCS will provide integrated static and deployable Command and Control (C2) capabilities to NATO European nations. NACMA is the recognized NATO Agency entrusted to address MIDS LVT procurements and interacts with the MIDS IPO on behalf of NATO projects. The MIDS program is managed by the U.S. Navy MIDS Program Office in San Diego, Calif.

About Data Link Solutions
Data Link Solutions was established in 1996 by two of the world leaders in military communications, Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems, to pursue next generation Link 16 applications. DLS is a leading supplier of Link 16 terminals and software, as well as logistics and support services for air, land and sea-based platforms with a heritage of more than 20 years of Link 16 design and production experience with more than 5,000 Link 16 systems delivered worldwide.

DLS has provided MIDS terminals for more than 40 different platforms in 28 countries with product offerings that include the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System Class 2 family, the Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) LVT Low Volume Terminal and LVT-3 Fighter Data Link, MIDS LVT-2, MIDS-On-Ship, the URC-138 Link 16 terminal, and various country-unique data links.