ARMY LINK 16 SYSTEMS

The Army Link 16 Systems line item (7264B24400) in the FY 2026 Department of Defense budget supports the Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative, with a primary focus on modernizing Command and Control (C2) systems. This program is a key component of the Army's broader modernization priorities, particularly in the area of Air and Missile Defense. The overarching objective is to enhance the Army's ability to conduct joint operations by improving interoperability and secure communications across land, sea, and air domains.

Specifically, the Army Link 16 Systems program funds the procurement and integration of tactical data link equipment, including Link 16 terminals, gateways, and radios. These systems enable real-time transfer of combat data, voice communications, imagery, and navigation information, all protected by advanced encryption and frequency-hopping techniques. The goal is to ensure that Army units can electronically observe the battlespace, identify threats, and acquire targets in coordination with other U.S. military services and allied forces.

A central element within this line item is the MIDS JTRS Ground Variant (GV) (B24425), which is the modernization successor to the legacy MIDS Low Volume Terminal (LVT). The MIDS JTRS GV is a software-defined radio solution that introduces advanced Link 16 networking capabilities, including Concurrent Multi-netting (CMN), Concurrent Contention Receive (CCR), Enhanced Throughput (ET), and improved Transmission Security (TRANSEC). The objective is to fully displace the older MIDS LVT variant, providing the Army with a more flexible, secure, and capable communications platform.

The FY 2026 budget request supports a range of procurement and integration activities for the MIDS JTRS GV, including B-Kit and A-Kit production, schoolhouse training kits, ancillary equipment, assessments, warranties, software licenses, and support for the Army Network Design Facility (ANDF). Additional objectives include platform integration, fielding, and systems engineering/program management. These investments are necessary to support both active and reserve components for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, as required by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

The program also covers non-recurring costs associated with platform integration for key Army Air and Missile Defense systems, such as FAAD, Patriot, IBCS, THAAD, and ADAM (AMDPCS). The integration efforts are scheduled to complete in FY 2026, aligning with the Army's goal to achieve Joint Full Operational Capability (JFOC) of 90% by FY 2029. The ramp-up in procurement and fielding activities is reflected in the increasing quantities and costs from FY 2025 to FY 2026.

Support activities funded under this line item include software maintenance, system engineering, operational assessments, new equipment training, and depot support for initial spares and repairs. The program ensures that Army personnel are trained on the new systems and that sufficient spare parts are available to support ongoing operations and maintenance. The fielding of new equipment and training hardware is timed to support the First Unit Equipped (FUE) milestone in FY 2027.