Israel Aerospace’s OPAL Net-Centric Warfare Network Connects to NATO’s LINK 16

Germany-based ESG Elektroniksystem and Logistik along with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have made OPAL real-time net-centric warfare network interoperable with Link 16 tactical datalink.

ESG has designated OPAL as NEOS.

The collaboration aims at showcasing a German gateway solution that seamlessly converts messages between Link 16 and the real-time decentralized airborne OPAL/NEOS network.

The demonstrator is a significant leap forward in enhancing information exchange and mission effectiveness for air-combat operations. By integrating Link 16, widely used by NATO and allied forces, with the innovative OPAL network, interoperability between different platforms and mission efficiency are significantly improved. This opens up new possibilities for secure and efficient real-time data-sharing among diverse airborne assets, ensuring a higher level of situational awareness and more effective decision-making for complex operations.

The ESG-developed gateway is a key part of the demonstrator, seamlessly translating and converting messages between the established Link 16 network and OPAL, ensuring the seamless flow of critical real-time information without compromising security or reliability. This shows the potential of joining existing standardized systems with a decentralized communication and application cloud, to meet the evolving operational needs of modern warfare and air-defense.