Coalition Interoperability in Maritime Theatre Missile Defence

Clients: UK Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy, BAE Systems, and Maritime Theatre Missile Defence Forum (MTMD) participants.

SyntheSys Defence Systems (SDS) has been integral to the UK's contribution to allied Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), supporting two flagship initiatives: the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)'s Formidable Shield exercise series (FS17–FS25) and the Hardware In the Loop (HWIL) Coalition Distributed Engineering Plant (CDEP) test events. Both efforts validate coalition naval platform interoperability through live-fire exercises and simulation.

SDS has delivered specialist support across multiple iterations of Formidable Shield and CDEP events. Our expertise was deployed at the Maritime Integration and Support Centre (MISC) in support of the Type 45 Destroyer (T45) participation, with SDS's Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF) being instrumental in delivery of T45 participation, collaborating with international partners to advance coalition warfighting integration.

Scope of Work

Formidable Shield Trials (FS17 – FS25)

• Recorded and analysed the exchange of Link 16 messages during NATO's premier at-sea missile defence exercises
• Provided vital Tactical Data Link (TDL) Subject Matter Expertise to international Formidable Shield Data Analysis Working Groups (DAWGs)

CDEP Annual Test Events (2007 – 2025)

• Validated test architecture and network connectivity using UK and NATO classified network connections
• Reviewed proposed customer test requirements and derived test cases and procedures in support of the planned testing
• Delivered engineering support during Run-for-Record trials acting as platform test director and leading the UK post-trial analysis
• Participated in Coalition DAWGs, leading the analysis using TDL data and the Coalition Performance Evaluation Tool (CPET) for the metrics evaluation against agreed criteria
• Led the production of the analysis report output for the UK nominated test cases
• SDS's engineer is the sole UK representative at the regular international CDEP Working Group (WG) meetings, part of the wider MTMD-Forum meetings. He has also been requested by the Royal Navy to progress to a CDEP WG leadership role

Challenges

• CDEP Trial Readiness: Ensuring the test environment and participating platforms were ready to support the required testing presented a challenge that required detailed Engineering and Operational (E&O) evaluation. SDS staff were nominated to perform the E&O functional lead role for several CDEP events, bringing rigour to the process. This resulted in successful completion of the required testing
• Forum TDL Knowledge: During early involvement with Formidable Shield and CDEP activities, it became apparent that there was a lack of TDL knowledge within the meetings. SDS provided this expertise and supported the UK Maritime Capability, Trials and Assessment team during Formidable Shield analysis. This knowledge helped root cause analysis and a more detailed understanding of the operational impact of trial findings

Outcomes

• Verified Interoperability: Enabled coalition platforms to validate real-time data link performance in MTMD scenarios
• Network Resilience: Test environment maturity improved through repeated testing
• UK Mission Success: Enabled the T45 to meet Formidable Shield and CDEP IAMD participation criteria

Impact

The MTMD-Forum enhances NATO and partner naval IAMD capabilities through joint exercises, experimentation and technical exchange. Formidable Shield and CDEP serve as its key execution platforms.

CDEP has now evolved into an annual drumbeat of events, ensuring interoperability testing skills remained current. Formidable Shield has grown into NATO's largest live-fire IAMD event, most recently integrating over 15 ships and 10 nations with the Hebrides Range serving as the operational venue.

SDS's support has ensured that the UK remains a leading contributor to the MTMD-Forum, not only participating in events but enabling analysis and capability assurance.