NATO standard encrypted data

The 3/61 Poitou transport squadron now has a 16 (L16) link capacity on board one of its three types of aircraft, the Transall. This NATO-standard encrypted automatic data exchange capability was clearly dictated by two factors: better integration of interallied environments, and taking advantage of the L16 network offered in national operations by aircraft already equipped (notably Dassault Rafale, Mirage 2000D, Boeing Awacs, Airbus Phénix, Atlas).

C3ISTAR missions in Libya

Even if, by construction, special operations are national in scope, they can take place in inter-allied environments: Poitou, for example, has carried out C3ISTAR missions in Libya (2011) and the Levant, for which it has received individual citations. The concept chosen by the Poitou allows, as for most of its mission equipment, to be quickly connectable. Nevertheless, for the moment, only the configuration on Transall has been validated and tested in operations.

The Airbus A400M already equipped with L16

The Lockheed Martin Hercules has yet to qualify. It is not sure that this will be the case on Twin Otter where the need is less. The Airbus A400M, on which the squadron has been progressing for the past two years, is on the other hand equipped with two L16 tracks, an asset for this evolution.