DLS
Data Link Solutions, a BAE Systems–Collins Aerospace joint venture, designs and supports Link 16 tactical data link terminals (MIDS family) for the U.S. military, NATO, and 30+ allied nations, with 9,000+ systems deployed across 40+ platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersCedar Rapids, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DLS does
Data Link Solutions (DLS) is a joint venture between BAE Systems and Collins Aerospace (a subsidiary of RTX Corporation), established in 2000 and headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The company designs, manufactures, and supports Link 16 tactical data link terminals — specifically the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) product family (MIDS LVT, MIDS LVT 2/11, MIDS JTRS, MIDS FDL) and the MOS/MOS MOD free-space optical terminals. These systems provide secure, jam-resistant, real-time voice and data networking across air, ground, sea, and platforms for military forces.
The company's business model centers on direct sales and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of certified tactical terminals to the U.S. Department of Defense (U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army), NATO, coalition forces, and more than 30 international air forces. All sales are gated by ITAR controls and State Department FMS approvals, and pricing is not publicly disclosed. DLS supplements terminal sales with engineering services, maintenance and repair, and training, capturing lifecycle revenue across a global installed base exceeding 9,000 systems deployed on 40+ platforms.
DLS operates from Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Wayne (U.S.), Heidelberg (Germany), and field presences in Australia and Canada, positioning the company to support both U.S. and allied coalition operations. The Link 16 standard's entrenchment across NATO and partner nations — combined with the high cost of platform re-integration — gives DLS a structurally durable position, though concentration on U.S. defense procurement and the absence of disclosed AI capabilities define its key strategic constraints.
DLS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DLS
- Legal name
- Data Link Solutions
- Website
- https://datalinksolutions.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Data Link Solutions, a BAE Systems–Collins Aerospace joint venture, designs and supports Link 16 tactical data link terminals (MIDS family) for the U.S. military, NATO, and 30+ allied nations, with 9,000+ systems deployed across 40+ platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DLS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Military Tactical Communications / Defense Electronics
- NAICS
- Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links (IMABAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL)
Keywords
Where DLS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cedar Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
DLS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Link 16 Terminal Sales: Sale of MIDS terminals (LVT, JTRS, FDL) and Link 16 hardware systems for military platform integration (airborne, ground, maritime).
- Maintenance and Repair Services: Three-level maintenance concept (Organizational, Intermediate, Depot Level) providing repair, troubleshooting, and support services for Link 16 equipment. Includes spare parts supply and return-to-service testing.
- Training Services: Comprehensive Link 16 training from executive level to expert user courses, including foundation courses, advanced courses, and hands-on training for military personnel.
- Engineering Solutions: Integration support, upgrades, software maintenance, and configuration management services for Link 16 products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Government/defense procurement through quotation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
DLS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Data Link Solutions (DLS) designs, manufactures, and supports tactical data link solutions for military and allied government customers, with a core portfolio of MIDS terminals (MIDS LVT, MIDS LVT 2/11, MIDS JTRS, MIDS FDL, MIDS on Ship) and the MOS MOD software-defined modem. The company also provides lifecycle engineering services, training, and maintenance & repair for its deployed systems across more than 40 platforms.
Product overview
Data Link Solutions (DLS) is a joint venture between BAE Systems and Collins Aerospace providing Link 16 tactical data link solutions. The core product portfolio centers on MIDS (Multi-functional Information Distribution System) terminals including MIDS LVT for air/ground/maritime applications, MIDS JTRS (software-defined 4-channel radio), MIDS FDL (fighter data link for F-15), and MIDS on Ship systems for maritime platforms. The product family spans from 50W fighter terminals to 1000W shipboard systems, serving 40+ platforms across 30 nations. Supporting these hardware terminals are comprehensive services including engineering integration, maintenance/repair (depot and intermediate level), training programs (executive to expert level), and specialized support equipment for testing and diagnostics.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MIDS LVT (Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal) Foundational MIDS terminal providing Link 16 tactical data link communications for military platforms, packaged for space-constrained installations across air, land, and sea users.
- MIDS LVT 2/11 Enhanced MIDS terminal variant offering upgraded Link 16 capabilities for military users needing greater throughput and platform integration options.
- MIDS JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System terminal) MIDS terminal with integrated software-defined JTRS waveforms, enabling multi-channel, multi-waveform tactical communications for joint and coalition forces.
- MIDS FDL (MIDS Fighter Data Link) Smaller, lighter MIDS terminal designed specifically for fighter aircraft, providing Link 16 capability in highly space-constrained airframes.
- MIDS on Ship Shipboard variant of MIDS enabling Link 16 tactical data link communications for naval surface combatants and maritime operators.
- MOS MOD (Miniaturized Airborne Modular Software Modem) Software-defined modem that adds tactical data link waveform capability to platforms without a full MIDS terminal, for military users needing lighter, more flexible integration.
- Training Services Operator and maintainer training programs for DLS tactical data link products, delivered to military customers and allied partners.
- Engineering Solutions Lifecycle engineering support, integration, and sustainment services for deployed MIDS terminals and associated tactical data link systems.
- Maintenance & Repair Ongoing depot-level and field maintenance and repair services for DLS tactical data link hardware in service with military customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 9,000 Link 16 systems delivered worldwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DLS
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DLS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
DLS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- BAE SystemscoreBAE Systems is one of the two parent companies in the Data Link Solutions joint venture. BAE Systems provides defense technology expertise and is a major global defense contractor. DLS operates as their Link 16 terminal production arm.
- Collins AerospacecoreCollins Aerospace (part of RTX) is the other parent company in the Data Link Solutions joint venture. Collins Aerospace contributes avionics and communications expertise. DLS serves as their Link 16 terminal production facility.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DLS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Thales: Thales produces tactical data link terminals and is a major European supplier of Link 16-compatible systems to NATO and allied militaries, directly competing with DLS for coalition procurements.
- Leonardo: Leonardo provides tactical data link systems and is a significant European supplier of Link 16 integration across multiple platforms, competing with DLS for international defense ministry contracts.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris produces tactical communications including MIDS terminals and software-defined radios for U.S. and allied militaries, directly competing with DLS in the airborne and ground tactical data link market.
- Saab: Saab supplies tactical data links and integrates Link 16 on platforms including the JAS-39 Gripen, directly competing with DLS for international fighter and ground platform terminal integration work.
- Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems produces tactical communications and data link solutions for militaries globally, including airborne and ground Link 16-compatible systems, competing with DLS in international markets.
- Viasat: Viasat is a direct competitor in MIDS terminals and tactical data links, having been a co-developer of the MIDS JTRS program alongside DLS (then via ViaSat). It competes head-to-head for tactical radio and Link 16 waveform contracts across DoD and coalition customers.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman is a broad C4ISR and tactical communications incumbent across airborne, maritime, and ground platforms, with overlapping capabilities in tactical networking and Link 16-adjacent systems though not specialized in terminals.
- General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems provides tactical communications and networking including Link 16-related capabilities as part of a broader defense electronics portfolio, overlapping with DLS in select programs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DLS social profiles
Digital presenceDLS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DLS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DLS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DLS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DLS
What does DLS do?
Data Link Solutions (DLS) designs, manufactures, and supports tactical data link solutions for military and allied government customers, with a core portfolio of MIDS terminals (MIDS LVT, MIDS LVT 2/11, MIDS JTRS, MIDS FDL, MIDS on Ship) and the MOS MOD software-defined modem. The company also provides lifecycle engineering services, training, and maintenance & repair for its deployed systems across more than 40 platforms.
Is DLS a public or private company?
DLS is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was DLS founded?
DLS was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DLS based?
DLS is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does DLS make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Link 16 Terminal Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance and Repair Services, training Services and engineering Solutions.
Who are DLS's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Thales, Leonardo, L3Harris Technologies, Saab, Elbit Systems and Viasat. Broad incumbents are Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Does DLS have an API?
No public API is recorded for DLS.
What industry is DLS in?
DLS's product category is Military Tactical Communications / Defense Electronics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAE, C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links, with a secondary code of IMABAMAL, Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems. Its NAICS code is 488190 and its SIC code is 3812.