Cubic's Fire Scout Data Link delivers clear video imagery during US Army training exercise

Cubic Defense Applications has announced its Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) successfully transmitted video imagery to warfighters during a US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) exercise in Georgia this January.

Cubic's data link system aboard the Northrop Grumman-developed MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical unmanned aerial system transferred the real-time tactical full-motion video to the exercise's Tactical Operations Center as well as to remote video terminals at Fort Benning.

Data links are vital to military communications. They enable air-to-ground and ground-to-ground transmission of data. Cubic's Fire Scout data link system consists of air data terminals and ground data terminals which use encryption-capable radio frequency (RF) technology to stream video and data.

"Our TCDL system allows warfighters to see the operational picture on the battlefield as it's happening," said Robert Kalebaugh, senior director of business development for Cubic Defense Applications, Inc. "During the Army training exercise at Fort Benning, the TCDL flawlessly transferred imagery at a data rate of 10.71 Mbps from the Fire Scout to One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT) and ROVER terminals. This is the latest in a string of technical triumphs for Northrop Grumman's Fire Scout program."

"One of Fire Scout's many operating capabilities is to provide reconnaissance surveillance and target acquisition support to the warfighter," said Northrop Grumman's Land-based Fire Scout program manager. "Cubic's TCDL system provides Fire Scout with the tools to provide this critical capability to the soldier on the ground."

During Navy sea trials last year, the data link delivered high-quality video from the Fire Scout to surface terminals aboard the USS McInerney, which continues to test the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned System for operational use. The US Coast Guard has also been involved in testing the Fire Scout's sensor and data transmission capabilities.