Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • BAE Systems awarded US Navy NTCDL contract

Defence

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.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.

Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB
ITSA sees UK connector sales up in 2025

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ITSA sees UK connector sales up in 2025

5 February 2026

The Interconnect Technology Suppliers Association (ITSA) has revealed its members reported sales in 2025 were up by 5% over 2024 but that orders and business to business sales, were flat.

ECS to showcase BLACKTALON at WDS 2026

Defence Events

ECS to showcase BLACKTALON at WDS 2026

5 February 2026

Radio Frequency (RF) specialist, Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), will showcase its BLACKTALON Ecosystem at the World Defense Show (WDS), being held in the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre, 8th-12th February 2026.

Investment in student skills to boost UK defence industry

Defence

Investment in student skills to boost UK defence industry

5 February 2026

Britain’s defence industry will benefit from an £80 million skills boost to increase places on key strategically-relevant courses.

Returning to STEM after career break becomes harder than ever

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Returning to STEM after career break becomes harder than ever

4 February 2026

Returning to STEM industries after a career break is now harder than ever, according to new research by STEM Returners, with bias against gender, age, ethnicity and a lack of recent experience penalising highly qualified people from getting a job.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
HENSOLDT receives KNDS orders for digital armoured vehicle optronics

Defence

HENSOLDT receives KNDS orders for digital armoured vehicle optronics

4 February 2026

HENSOLDT has received several major orders from KNDS to equip combat and armoured personnel carriers with digital optronics.

IFS chosen by SkyAlyne to support RCAF’s FAcT

Defence

IFS chosen by SkyAlyne to support RCAF’s FAcT

4 February 2026

IFS today announced that it has been selected by SkyAlyne the prime contractor for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), to provide a fully digital aviation maintenance and asset management platform in support of the Canadian Department of National Defence’s new training initiative.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
General Atomics LB