The Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade 2 (MIDS-LVT BU2) has been qualified for use on all four of the French Air and Space Force Boeing E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA, Direction générale de l’armement) conducted two years of tests to qualify the terminal, in conjunction with the French Air and Space Force and the two industrial partners. Several flights were conducted by the DGA Flight Test Centre, which tested the integration and operation of the terminal.
In 2020 Thales and Air France Industries were selected to integrate the new MIDS-LVT BU2 terminal on the French E-3F AWACS. The new terminal will enable the operation of the latest-generation Link 16 military tactical data network on its aircraft in September?November 2022. Specifically, the DGA Information Control Centre of Expertise and Testing handled security with the information systems, while the DGA Project Engineering Centre examined the authorisation files for flight, temporary employment authorisation, and qualification of the integration of MIDS-LVT BU2 on the AWACS.
The Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade 2 (MIDS-LVT BU2) is an advanced terminal developed by EuroMIDS, a cooperation programme by European industry leaders including Thales. The terminal features high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital communication links for exchanging real-time secure tactical information across the Link 16 network. Thousands of EuroMIDS MIDS-LVT terminals are fielded on a broad range of military platforms including Rafale, Eurofighter, Mirage 2000, Tornado, NH90, A400M, SAMP-T, NATO ACCS Loc1 and the Horizon frigates.
Tested and qualified by the MIDS International Program Office (IPO), MIDS-LVT BU2 terminals provide the latest Link 16 features including enhanced throughput, cryptographic upgrades and frequency remapping. The MIDS LVT BU2 configuration consists of two Line Replaceable Units: the Receiver/Transmitter (R/T) and the Remote Power Supply (RPS). Designed to meet the specific testing and maintenance requirements of MIDS terminals, TMCT is the latest generation of MIDS support software. TMCT enables the operator to monitor all the terminal’s parameters for maintenance or laboratory testing purposes, and operates simultaneously with any MIDS host platform application.
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