What type of data do data link messages carry in Link 16?

• A. Track and mission data.
• B. Weather data only
• C. Administrative notes only
• D. Audio communications

Answer: (A)

Link 16 data link messages are designed to share real-time battlefield information, focusing on two main data types: track data and mission data. Track data provides the position, velocity, time, and status of tracked objects (friendly and hostile) so all participants have a common view of where things are and how they’re moving. Mission data carries tasking, routes, orders, and updates that units need to execute coordinated actions and stay synchronized. Weather data and administrative notes aren’t the primary payloads of Link 16 messages, and voice typically isn’t carried as the core content on this link. So the best description is that data link messages carry track and mission data.