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28 July 2000
Aerosystems International (AeI) is under contract for the supply and operation of the Link InterOperability Network (LION), which will provide the UK with a capability for testing and proving the interoperability of datalink systems.
Tactical Datalinks allow military units to share tactical information and are a key element in ensuring effective deployment of UK and coalition forces in Operations such as Desert Storm and Allied Force.
Through the use of these datalinks aircraft, ships and ground units can share their sensor information so that everyone has with a common tactical picture, improving levels of co-ordination between units. Interoperability is a measure of the ability of these datalink-equipped systems to operate effectively together.
LION allows interoperability testing and proving by connecting together existing test rigs over the telephone network. Test scenarios can then be devised allowing the rigs to take part in simulated exercises in a carefully controlled environment, significantly reducing the need for expensive real exercises.
LION can also be connected to non-UK platforms to support interoperabilty testing with NATO and coalition assets. LION will connect together rigs that support all the major UK datalink equipped platforms including the RAF Tornado F3 and E3D AWACS, the Royal Navy Sea Harrier, Sea King Whiskey AEW and Type 23 and 42 Ships.
The LION contract is managed for the MoD by the Datalinks Integrated Project Team (Datalinks IPT) within the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). AeI and the Datalinks IPT will form an Integrated Management Team to control the testing programme. This will ensure that the LION testing is co-ordinated with other interoperability testing and that the most effective service is provided within the contracted price.
As part of the contract arrangement LION can be used by third parties for interoperability testing when not required for MoD tests.
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