The acquisition of an interim Tactical Data Link for the Australian Army’s ARH Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters has been approved by Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston. A total of 21 helicopters are set to be upgraded.
The project, which is valued at less than $20 million, will inform the assessment of potential future upgrades intended to deliver a fully integrated solution after 2020 that builds on this interim configuration.
“The interim Tactical Data Link will improve the Tiger’s situational awareness in the battlespace by improving the helicopter’s ability to receive in-flight tactical positioning of friendly and known enemy forces,” Senator Johnston said.
“Through this datalink, the Tigers will be able to share targeting information, coordinate battlefield movements and tactical objectives, and transmit real-time reconnaissance information between the aircraft and the land forces.”
