ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH has been awarded the German Armed Forces during the “Timber Express 2023” exercise. The company was responsible for testing all forms of tactical data links between the participating entities. Among other things, ESG tested the connection between the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, equipped with ESG’s EAGLE2 software for Digitally Aided Close Air Support, on various weapon systems such as the Tiger combat helicopter and the H145M special forces helicopter.
Further link connections were practiced via the Link 16 network as a radio network and as a “wire network protocol” with the Tactical Data Links Interface Unit. The ESG took part in the exercise as part of the “Joint Fire Support Team dismounted”, “Tactical Data Link Interface Team” and “Joint Fire Support Coordination Group” projects to support the users of the systems. https://militaeraktuell.at/generalmajor-dorfer-und-brigadier-promberger-bestaetigt/
The “Timber Express 2023” exercise focused on the interaction between different players along the entire sensor-to-effector chain. As part of the NATO Secret environment, the aim was to provide a uniform situational picture from different data link variants – in other words, interoperability within a complex information and communication network. In addition to the Air Force, the Army, the Navy, the Organizational Area Cyber and Information Space and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, other partner nations were also involved this year alongside NATO. New this year, as a result of the reconnaissance-leadership-impact alliance: the live shot. Thanks to the connection to the Link 16 network provided by the “Tactical Data Links Interface Unit”, the sensor-to-effector concept could be mapped digitally throughout: Targets at the Munster training area were reconnoitred by Luftwaffe Tornados and engaged by Army 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The firefight was coordinated from the Joint Fire Support Coordination Group in Jagel, which was connected to the firing unit in Munster via a long-distance connection (RBM SatCom) of the ADLER system.
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