U.S. Navy Awards $85M Contract to BAE Systems for Data Link Systems

The U.S. Navy awarded BAE Systems an $85 million production contract in 2024 to deliver additional Network Tactical Common Data Link (NTCDL) systems, enhancing the fleet's situational awareness and tactical battlefield advantage.

The NTCDL facilitates the real-time exchange of voice, data, imagery, and full-motion video from air, surface, subsurface, and man-portable sources. Under the current contract, NTCDL systems are being installed on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and will be integrated into new Constellation-class frigates.

The NTCDL is a modular and scalable solution designed to meet the U.S. Navy’s Common Data Link (CDL) requirements. Its capabilities include increased link capacity, support for waveform evolution, and multi-platform compatibility. It allows operators to transmit and receive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data simultaneously while enabling command and control exchanges across independent networks.

This contract modification extends the program's performance period by three years. BAE Systems, as the original developer and manufacturer of NTCDL, will perform the work at its facilities in Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey, and New York.