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FAST provides network-centric operation for situational awareness
and rapid decision-making in an airborne tactical environment
using MANET interoperable with Internet Protocol and Link 16
networks.
FAST supports missions that require dynamic network management
without pre-mission planning, improves tactical communications,
and adds mobile ad hoc
networking (MANET) to existing Link 16 terminals prior to
introduction of emerging future technologies. “The ability
to send and receive data in real time reduces the chance of
fratricide, duplicate assignments, and missed targets.”
said Steve DiNome, BAE Systems’ program manager for FAST.
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FAST, developed by
BAE Systems with a team of engineers from SRA and MITRE, completed
the first spiral with a flight test in 2006 at Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida. The flights demonstrated the ability to add high-speed
Internet Protocol connectivity to the MIDS Fighter Data Link.
The demonstrations were performed with a four-node network using
an Air Force F-15E, a Beechcraft King Air, and two ground stations.
The U.S. Air Force has selected BAE Systems and SRA International
to develop the second spiral of the Flexible Access Secure Transfer
(FAST) waveform into the Multifunction Information Distribution
System Low Volume Terminal 1 (MIDS LVT1). The $7 million contract
will enable the MIDS LVT1 to simultaneously transmit and receive
both standard Link 16 and FAST waveform messages.
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