Common Data Link (CDL)

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Title:

Description:

As the DoW Executive Agent, the Secretary of the Air Force is responsible for Common Data Link (CDL) Research and Development. CDL provides the Congressionally and DoW mandated standard for interoperable, multi-service, multi-agency, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data links for 20,000+ DoW manned/unmanned airborne and ground platforms. As the DoW EA, the Air Force is responsible for cross-service application of CDL RDT&E Military Intelligence Program (MIP) funds facilitating compliance to Congressional and DoW mandates. The DoW EA develops, modifies, distributes, and maintains performance specifications for the CDL waveform family; ensuring design configuration control, commonality, and interoperability among ISR platforms. Additionally, funds support managing resources allocated for development, maturation, and migration of CDL technologies, test and certification procedures, and technology insertion roadmaps. The DoW EA’s research and development activities support a broad swath of tactical, operational, and strategic ISR users and include achieving higher data rates, multi-access and multi-node network management, crypto modernization, advancements needed to operate in contested environments, terminal and antenna design enhancements, operations in other spectral bands, and improving spectrum efficiency. DoW EA activities also include studies and analysis to support current and future requirements documentation, program planning and execution, and partners with industry to pursue innovative solutions. In sum, DoW EA efforts increase both industrial cooperation and competition, while providing interoperable ISR data link standards for use across the DoW, and reducing non-recurring engineering and life-cycle costs of Service-level CDL equipment procurements.

Date Assigned:

06/28/2001

Approving Office:

DepSecWar

DoD Executive Agent:

Air Force

PSA:

Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (USW(A&S))

OPR:

Acquisition (SAF/AQIJ)

DoD EA POC:

Mr. Milton Prell, (571) 256-0107 (office), milton.prell@us.af.mil; OSD PSA POC: Mr. Norm Yarbrough (OUSW(A&S)), 571-372-4970 (office), norman.r.yarbrough.civ@mail.mil

Established in Statute:

Primary Document:

(FOUO) DepSecDef Memo: "Common Data Link (CDL) Executive Agent Designation" (Jun 28, 2001) (external link) (external link)

Supporting Documents:

OUSD A&S DOD CDL Enterprise Modernization Memo (May 3, 2018) (direct download)

Last Updated:

03/13/02026 09:19 AM by Bowman, Marilyn

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