· NTDS is the communication standard used throughout virtually all U.S. Naval weapon systems · Found on virtually all of the 300+ currently active U.S. Naval ships · Used by US Naval land-based test, training and development sites · Used by many ships and shore facilities operated by foreign nations

The Naval Tactical Data System
The Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) remains at the heart of naval and joint air defense management systems today. In a complex multi-threat combat environment, automated combat direction systems such as NTDS make it possible for people to deal with the massive number of targets and compressed reaction times of modern warfare. The NTDS helps coordinate fleet air defense, antisubmarine warfare, and surface defense operations.

The NTDS was developed by the U.S. Navy as a command tool for commanders in tactical combat situations. In combat, a fleet continues to be involved in close-range offense and defense. During close-range combat, the shipboard combat information center (CIC) is involved in complex tactical situations. These situations require intelligent and highly important decisions. Each decision has to be made in a short period of time.

NTDS is based on the interaction of humans and machines. Through automation, it provides commanders with a broad picture of the current tactical situation. The system is used to provide information between NTDS-equipped units by tying together the various subsystems, collecting and processing information from ship sensors, and from off-ship sensors, via radio digital data links. The idea is, if I can see it, so can you. It also assists them in directing their operations in time to intercept and destroy all potential enemy threats.

NTDS incorporated target position and identification information from a ship’s sensors, as well as information inserted over an electronic data link by other ships in a task force, into one computer-managed track file. The use of digital computers and digital data processing techniques reduces reaction time and increases force effectiveness. NTDS employs a system of computers and communications gear to track contacts and transmit this information to other units. The various "links" can transmit their information on the UHF or HF bands, depending on distances, atmospherics, etc.