airtoground

Airtoground, typically written air-to-ground, refers to the set of communications, data links, and weapons systems that connect aircraft with ground-based facilities, targets, or networks. In aviation, air-to-ground links enable air traffic control and flight-deck data exchange, weather and surveillance data downlinks, and ground-based relay or satellite links, supporting situational awareness and safety in flight. These links may use line-of-sight radio frequency channels in VHF or UHF bands or satellite communications for long-range or remote-area operations. Digital air-to-ground data links employ standardized protocols and encryption to deliver continuous streams of position, weather, and operational data between aircraft and ground stations or control centers.

In military contexts, air-to-ground denotes two broad families. First, air-to-ground communications, where aircraft exchange data with ground forces, targets, and command networks. Second, air-to-ground weapons, where aircraft deploy missiles or bombs toward ground targets, with guidance data and trajectory updates supplied from ground- or air-based sources. Modern systems integrate datalinks such as JTIDS/Link 16, SATCOM, and GPS-based navigation to improve targeting accuracy and resilience against interference. Safety and standards considerations include frequency management, encryption, and interoperability across platforms and nations.

Airtoground remains a general term; specific systems are named by their function (air-to-ground communications, air-to-ground missiles, etc.) and by the equipment or organization that operates them.

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