General Atomics

BAE Systems awarded US Navy NTCDL contract

The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems an $85 million production contract to deliver additional Network Tactical Common Data Link (NTCDL) systems.



Image courtesy BAE Systems

NTCDL will enable a real-time exchange of voice, data, imagery, and full-motion video from a variety of air, surface, subsurface, and man-portable sources. Systems under the company’s current contract are presently being installed on US Navy aircraft carriers and will be installed on new Constellation-class frigates.

Amber Dolan, director of Adaptive Communications and Sensing at BAE Systems, said: “We have designed and produced a faster next-generation system to meet the demands of our customers’ evolving connectivity mission requirements.

“BAE Systems is committed to providing the US Navy with a trusted and secure solution to transmit and receive the critical information needed to successfully accomplish its missions across the fleet.”

NTCDL is a multiplatform solution for all US Navy Common Data Link (CDL) requirements. It is a modular, scalable system designed to increase link capacity and embrace waveform evolution.

NTCDL supports multiple, simultaneous, networked operations using currently fielded CDL equipment, as well as next-generation manned and unmanned platforms. It enables operators to simultaneously transmit and receive real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data from multiple sources and exchange command and control information across separate or independent networks. This allows for effective communication among forces to maintain an advantage.

This award modifies an existing BAE Systems contract to extend the programme’s total period of performance by three years. As the original developer and manufacturer of the NTCDL system, BAE Systems has the engineering and production capabilities to meet the programme’s urgent fielding timeline requirements, with the work ork on this contract taking place at BAE Systems’ facilities in Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey and New York.

Related

NATS handles 241,141 flights in June as weather disruption rises
NATS air traffic controller working in Aberdeen
NATS handles 241,141 flights in June as weather disruption rises
NATS safely handled more than 241,000 flights in June, with UK air traffic increasing month on month as weather-related delays rose sharply.
Aerospace Member News

9 Jul 2026

Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales MD MSS
Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales, RAF Digital and the National Armaments Director Group have delivered AI and machine learning capability into the RAF’s Multi-Domain Mission Support System.
Aerospace Defence

9 Jul 2026

Bristow winch paramedic receives Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy
Bristow winch paramedic wins Billy Deacon SAR Trophy
Bristow winch paramedic receives Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy
James O’Neill, a Bristow Ireland winch paramedic based at Shannon, has received the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy for his role in rescuing 14 crew from a fishing vessel.
Aerospace

9 Jul 2026

Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales MD MSS
Thales delivers AI milestone for RAF mission support system
Thales, RAF Digital and the National Armaments Director Group have delivered AI and machine learning capability into the RAF’s Multi-Domain Mission Support System.
Aerospace Defence

9 Jul 2026

Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy takes shape as drone boat is airdropped from A400M
Airdrop of Royal Navy drone from Airbus A400M with parachute
Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy takes shape as drone boat is airdropped from A400M
Why the Royal Navy's parachute drop of K3 Scout sea-going drone is an important step onto its part to become a hybrid navy.
Defence

9 Jul 2026

ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
Aerospace engineer GE UK
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
ADS says the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain resilient, but rising costs, finance pressures and supply chain constraints mean government commitments must now translate into action.
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
Aerospace engineer GE UK
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
ADS says the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain resilient, but rising costs, finance pressures and supply chain constraints mean government commitments must now translate into action.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
Aerospace engineer GE UK
ADS sectors add £46.8bn to UK economy but industry warns delivery must follow
ADS says the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors remain resilient, but rising costs, finance pressures and supply chain constraints mean government commitments must now translate into action.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
CRP Group launches UniqTrust for additive manufacturing traceability
CRP Group has launched CRP UniqTrust, a digital identity system designed to improve traceability and authentication for components made using its Windform composites.
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for secure defence operations
Logiq launches DISX Isolate for high-assurance defence operations
Logiq has launched DISX Isolate, a standalone secure workspace designed for organisations handling sensitive information in deliberately disconnected environments.