MIDS Voice COMMs in the F/A-18C Hornet

The MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System) in the F/A-18C Hornet isn’t just for Link-16 data—it also supports encrypted voice communication over two digital voice channels: VOCA and VOCB . 

 These can be used as additional comm channels for secure, low-latency coordination between flights, elements, or mission commanders— especially useful when normal UHF/VHF radios are saturated or compromised . 

 

 🔊 VOCA and VOCB – What They Are 

 

 

 VOCA (Voice Channel A) and VOCB (Voice Channel B) are two digital voice channels built into the MIDS terminal. 

 

 

 They do not use traditional UHF/VHF frequencies —instead, they ride on Link-16 waveforms , piggybacking off the tactical data link infrastructure. 

 

 

 Voice transmission is digital, secure, and line-of-sight (LOS) only. 

 

 

 

 ⚙️ How MIDS Voice Works in the F/A-18C 

 

 

 Channel Selection: 

 

 

 VOCA and VOCB are each assigned a MIDS Voice Channel between 1 and 126 . 

 

 

 These channels must be set identically across all aircraft intending to communicate on the same VOCA or VOCB net. 

 

 

 Channel 127 is a special case — selecting channel 127 disables MIDS voice on that channel entirely. 

 

 

 

 

 Radio Binding: 

 

 

 Once set, you can transmit over VOCA/VOCB just like a normal radio. 

 

 

 Voice activity over VOCA/VOCB is not displayed in the normal ARC-210 frequency windows but can be monitored using the AUDIO PANEL toggles. 

 

 

   

 

 

 Setup in DCS: 

 

 

 MIDS channels are typically set via the D/L (Data Link) page on the UFC or MIDS Control Panel . 

 

 

 Ensure VOCA/VOCB are on assigned, matching channels across aircraft. 

 

 

 Toggle VOCA or VOCB transmit via the Audio Panel’s rotary selector  behind your left hip 

 

 

 

 

 

 ✅ Advantages of MIDS Voice 

 

 

 ✅ Encrypted and secure – immune to most jamming and eavesdropping in DCS. 

 

 

 ✅ Frees up UHF/VHF radios for other roles (e.g., AWACS, tower, package net). 

 

 

 ✅ Integrated with Link-16 , so all participants on the network have voice and data link automatically aligned. 

 

 

 ✅ Very low latency , ideal for tactical comms between close-range cooperating flights. 

 

 

 

 ❌ Limitations / Caveats 

 

 

 ❌ Line-of-sight only – no ground station relays; if terrain blocks LOS, comms will drop. 

 

 

 ❌ No feedback on frequency or signal strength like UHF/VHF radios. 

 

 

 ❌ Can be hard to manage if your team isn’t disciplined about VOCA vs. VOCB roles. 

 

 

 

 📋 Quick Setup Checklist (DCS) 

 

 

 On the D/L UFC page: 

 

 

 Set MIDS A Voice Channel to e.g., 10 

 

 

 Set MIDS B Voice Channel to e.g., 20 

 

 

 

 

 On the Audio Control Panel : 

 

 

 Rotate COMM selector knob to VOCA or VOCB 

 

 

 Toggle transmit switch ON for that channel 

 

 

 

 

 Transmit like any other radio using the assigned COMM switch (usually HOTAS bound) 

 

 

 

 🛠️ SRS Note (if using Simple Radio Standalone) 

 

 

 MIDS voice isn’t supported directly in SRS. 

 

 

 However, VOCA/VOCB behavior can be simulated by binding a separate SRS channel (e.g., SRS Radio 3 and 4) and assigning it to your VOCA/VOCB function for training or realism purposes.