Kratos chosen by Idaho National Laboratory to demo Common Data Link capabilities

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a national security solutions provider, announced on August 18 that its RT Logic subsidiary has been selected by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to demonstrate a ground breaking Common Data Link (CDL) waveform intended for use on small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS).

In operation since 1949, INL is a science-based applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s missions in nuclear and energy research, science and national defense.

RT Logic is a longstanding, successful partner with the CDL community and a leading commercial provider of satellite ground systems in the United States. In the first phase of the project, RT Logic is building upon its extensive library of proven CDL waveforms to demonstrate Bandwidth Efficient CDL (BE-CDL) as a software-defined algorithm on an existing small form factor COTS radio.

RT Logic’s approach systematically validates the waveform and simulates actual flight characteristics using a real time channel simulator (T400CS) and other test fixtures provided by RT Logic and the government.

Advances in waveform performance, experience and lessons learned will be shared collaboratively with INL throughout the project in preparation for the second phase of the program, during which the system will be flight-tested on a SUAS platform.

“We are excited to partner with Idaho National Laboratory and extend UAS interoperability to SUAS,” said Brian Connell, Common Data Link program manager at RT Logic. “RT Logic’s technology and expertise will help achieve the ultimate goal of equipping the warfighter with highly capable, interoperable, and affordable SUAS solutions.”

RT Logic, a Kratos company, is a leading provider of innovative products for ground stations, satellite test equipment and satellite operations, with solutions used in more than 80 percent of America’s space missions.