199.209.144.11: This article errs in describing VMF as a "protocol". It is not a protocol but a definition of a message format, hence the word "Format" in the name "Variable Message Format".

2024-11-04T20:38:25Z

This article errs in describing VMF as a "protocol". It is not a protocol but a definition of a message format, hence the word "Format" in the name "Variable Message Format".

New page

'''Variable Message Format''', abbreviated as "'''VMF'''" and documented in '''MIL-STD-6017''', is a message format used in communicating [[Military intelligence|tactical military information]]. A message formatted using VMF can be sent via many communication methods. As it does not define such a method, a communications medium, or a protocol, it is not a [[Tactical Data Link]] (TDL).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lm-isgs.co.uk/defence/datalinks/variable_message_format.asp |title=Variable Message Format - VMF |url-status=dead |publisher=Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems & Solutions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007054531/http://www.lm-isgs.co.uk/defence/datalinks/variable_message_format.asp |archive-date=October 7, 2011 }}</ref>

==Restriction==
The standard is designated distribution class C, meaning that it may only be distributed to federal employees and contractors. Contractors may obtain a copy from their government [[Point of contact|POC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-3000-9999/MIL-STD-6017A_NOTICE-1_24274/|title=MIL-STD-6017A (NOTICE 1)|date=2 November 2006}}</ref> However, the standard for the header is openly available.

==Format==
The VMF application header is defined by MIL-STD-2045-47001. The VMF message body consists of "K" Series messages.

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[MIL-STD-6011]] (TADIL-A)
* [[Link 4]] (TADIL-C)
* [[TADIL-J]]
* [[Joint Tactical Information Distribution System|JTIDS]]
* [[Link 1]]
* [[Link 11]] - (Link 11B)
* [[Link 16]]
* [[Link 22]]
* [[Multifunctional Information Distribution System|MIDS]]
* [[ACARS]]
{{div col end}}

==External links==
* [http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-2000-2999/MIL-STD-2045_47001C_25099/ MIL-STD-2045/47001C]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Military communications]]
[[Category:Military installations of NATO]]
[[Category:NATO]]

{{Comm-stub}}
{{US-mil-stub}}

Variable Message Format - Revision history

199.209.144.11: This article errs in describing VMF as a "protocol". It is not a protocol but a definition of a message format, hence the word "Format" in the name "Variable Message Format".