U.S. Army - Improved Data Modem (IDM)

The U.S. Army IDM provides Aviation platforms a means to participate in Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) communications through the exchange of digital C2 and SA. It also provides Private Net communications between Army Aviation platforms and digital ground systems.

Operational Flight Program (OFP)

The Thomas Production Company is the software contractor exclusively responsible for the Operational Flight Program (OFP) for the IDM-304 and IDM-304B.

AH-64D, CH-47F, OH-58D, UH-60M helicopter outlines

Hardware

  • IDM-304 (Elbit, Symetrics)
  • IDM-304B (Symetrics)
  • IDM-401 (SED)

Networks

  • Tactical Internet
  • Private Nets (MIL-STD-188-220)
  • AFAPD

Protocols & APIs

  • MIL-STD-1553
  • MIL-STD-6017 (VMF)
  • MIL-STD-2045-47001
  • MIL-STD-188-220
  • BFT1/BFT2
  • KGV-72 PIED
  • AFAPD
  • CORBA

Capabilities

  • Situational Awareness
  • Orders & Overlays
  • SDSA

GFI Technologies

  • ASTS Parser
  • BTNS

IDM/App™

But what about when you can't support the Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) requirements of the flight IDM? Host the IDM capability on any available hardware with the IDM/App.

Aligned with the FACE Technical Standard 2.0

Built with Quoit, the IDM/App brings the data-link capabilities of VMF over BFT to any FACE Environment.

FACE segment diagram with IDM/App components

Demonstrated

The IDM/App capability was demonstrated at the Rotorcraft Aircraft Survivability Equipment (RASE) Experiment 2013 in China Lake, California. Senior leadership was able to view hostile fire shots taken in CA while sitting in Huntsville and PAX River via the BFT network.

Network diagram for IDM/App demonstration during RASE 2013