A new software solution from Focused Support promises to bring more military systems onto the Link 16 network without requiring dedicated hardware.
Known as Cavok STRIKE, the software allows battlefield platforms to exchange tactical data without turning them into command-and-control nodes.
This approach enables operational assets to interoperate with conventional networks and contribute to a shared view of the battlefield.
Cavok STRIKE integrates directly into the Cavok Mission Ecosystem, giving users access to Link 16 capabilities without the hardware, cost, and lengthy integration typically required.
According to Focused Support, the software could help warfighters make better use of emerging systems while gaining a clearer picture of friendly assets across the joint battlespace.
“Link-16 … participation has traditionally been limited to platforms that can accommodate the hardware, integration effort, and cost required to participate in the network,” said Andrew Judge Beitz, director of strategic initiatives at Focused Support.
“Cavok STRIKE removes that barrier, allowing a broader range of operational platforms to interoperate with the Link-16 community through software.”
Bridging the Gap
Cavok STRIKE arrives as autonomous systems and sensors become increasingly common across the joint battlespace.
The growing use of Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aerial systems is also increasing demand for broader access to tactical networks.
However, the size, weight, power, and integration constraints of these platforms have kept many of them outside the Link 16 network, even when they generate operationally relevant data.
Focused Support said Cavok STRIKE addresses that gap through licensed software that expands information sharing while working with existing digital infrastructure.
