Link 4

[QuiGon]

Will Link 4 be implemented?

[QuiGon]

I'm asking, because it would be pretty darn nice to have DL-compatibility between the Hornet and the Tomcat. The Link-4 option is already there on the SA page of the Hornet, although crossed out and not usable.

[Ramsay]

I'm asking, because it would be pretty darn nice to have DL-compatibility between the Hornet and the Tomcat.

AFAIK, Link-4C, the fighter to fighter data link, only works for F-14A/B to F-14A/B data sharing.

 

Link-4A is unsecured and, in a mixed network(Link 4, 11/22 and 16), might be used for Air Control i.e. from a E-2

 

As the DCS E-2 uses Link-16, I'm not sure adding Link-4A (TADIL C @ 3.8Kbps vs J @ 54Kbps) to the Hornet will add much. IIRC the slower Link-4 data rate reduces the number of shared contacts and update rate.

 

Link-4A for the F-14A/B is more important as it is it's only data link i.e. for intercept guidance from a AWACS/missile destroyer.

[QuiGon]

Oh, I had hoped that the Hornet also offered Link-4C capabilities, at least as a reciever. In that case it doesn indeed not make much sense to implement it. Thanks for the clarification!

[Rainmaker]

Older tech. They could “simulate” a host aicraft such as AWACS to brigg everyone into the same network, but time will tell if they go this route or not.

 

Limitations like this are not reserved to just the sim, the real world stuff operates in the same fashion. A lot of stuff just doesnt “talk” to everyone else’s stuff.

[QuiGon]

Well, the AWACS in DCS supports both Links in DCS, so the Hornets can see Tomcats in their Link-16 picture and the Tomcats can see Hornets in their Link-4A picture.

[Kev2go]

yes Link 4 will be implemneted, wags confirmed this in one of the Hornet mini upates when we got some datalink ( link 16) functionality,

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3812342&postcount=134

 

 

"1- This is the initial version with more features to follow like automatic IFF modes, IFF code XP and AI setup, Link-4/HARM/FLIR display options, declutter options, flight ground target markers, basic ROE indications, MIDS voice, and a few more."

[Kev2go]

AFAIK, Link-4C, the fighter to fighter data link, only works for F-14A/B to F-14A/B data sharing.

 

Link-4A is unsecured and, in a mixed network(Link 4, 11/22 and 16), might be used for Air Control i.e. from a E-2

 

As the DCS E-2 uses Link-16, I'm not sure adding Link-4A (TADIL C @ 3.8Kbps vs J @ 54Kbps) to the Hornet will add much. IIRC the slower Link-4 data rate reduces the number of shared contacts and update rate.

 

Link-4A for the F-14A/B is more important as it is it's only data link i.e. for intercept guidance from a AWACS/missile destroyer.

 

it will be included because the RL legacy F18 still had link 4 capability present when Link 16 was introduced.. Yea its a older system with inferior speeds, but i guess the USN kept alongside Link 16 so the Hornet could be backwards compatible with aircraft or other naval assets using older technology

[QuiGon]

But only Link-4A, not Link-4C, right? What would be the actual benefits if we get that for the Hornet? It can already recieve data from C2 platforms using Link-16, which is what Link-4A does.

Link-4C would be nice to have to be able share data with Tomcats directly, but as has been said above the Hornet didn't have Link-4C IRL.

[Kev2go]

But only Link-4A, not Link-4C, right? What would be the actual benefits if we get that for the Hornet? It can already recieve data from C2 platforms using Link-16, which is what Link-4A does.

Link-4C would be nice to have to be able share data with Tomcats directly, but as has been said above the Hornet didn't have Link-4C IRL.

 

 

There aren't any benefits i can think of besides being backwards compatible with other platforms using link4a but that dont have link 16.. Link4a will be simulated simply because it can be. it's a present even among Hornets that have link 16.

Edited March 29, 2019 by Kev2go