American attack helicopter AH-1Z Viper silhouette in the flight

Navy Equips Helicopters with Network Sensors

Government Helicopters - Specifications - Technology

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $24.3 million grant to equip US utility and attack helicopters with their proprietary Link 16 military data link to enable them to exchange tactical pictures, texts, and messaging with troops on the ground and in the seas. The AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters will be outfitted with the technology designed to help improve situational awareness for all military men and women at all stations.

Helicopters have proven to be an instrumental tool in both tactical and rescue missions over the last century. Now the military can use them to process and send instant digital imagery to soldiers on the ground to enable higher awareness for troops on the ground with limited visibility. The connection’s viability was tested on a Viper helicopter and a ground station earlier in 2021, prior to the official approval of the contract.

AH-1Z helicopters using Link 16 system

AH-1Z helicopter using Link 16 system. Photo: Bell Textron Inc.

Northrup claims their Link-16 package will help attack helicopters serve a dual purpose in the air due to their quick ability to obtain and relay information via an inbuilt digital architecture that can automatically disseminate information without any action from pilots or gunmen. This allows the attack helicopter crews to focus on their mission while ground forces gather information that will strengthen their ability to reach objectives and improve survivability.

The terms of the agreement dictate that Northrup will supply and install 25 Link 16 production B kits, two Link 16 flight training device B kits, and three Link 16 B kit spares. This unique technology is built to be jam-resistant and exclusively to supply military data. It conveys information and data in real-time across multiple communication channels at high speeds. Also included in the Link 16 package are a new and improved security architecture, a digital moving map, and Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform datalinks.

Both helicopters that will receive the valuable Link 16 package are part of the Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program, which is aimed at helping to create stronger combat helicopters and rebuilding legacy attack helicopters.

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