Tactical Communications Group (TCG), yesterday said it received a contract award to provide its Ground Tactical Data Link Systems (GTS®) hardware and software components, as well as engineering and operational TDL services, training, and system maintenance, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) armed forces.

Terms of the contract were not revealed.

The award is the first direct commercial sale between the UAE armed forces and TCG.

Ground Tactical Data Link Systems (GTS) Photo: Tactical Communications Group
Ground Tactical Data Link Systems (GTS)

Photo: Tactical Communications Group

The system capabilities provided include operational support for Link 16 and Link 11 A/B and a comprehensive and intuitive built-in training and test capability for these data links.

The system also provides a “Multi-MIDS” capability that will allow the Emirates to deploy centralized and overlapping Link 16 coverage across a wide area of responsibility.

The JREAP capability of the GTS provides additional ability to extend the coverage and share TDL information.

“We are pleased to begin our service for the UAE Armed forces,” said Michael Hiney, TCG’s president and CEO, “and we are looking forward to supporting our Emirati allies as they employ their TDL-equipped capabilities and platforms. TCG is known world-wide for our TDL expertise and we will strive to be a valuable resource for the Emirates.”

TCG Vice President of Operations Kevin Mawn said: “This order is a significant step forward for TCG’s growing worldwide presence, especially within the Arab States of the Gulf. We are very pleased by the Emirate’s confidence in TCG’s capabilities and look forward to helping them grow their TDL ground infrastructure.”