What advantage does frequency hopping offer in tactical data links?

Frequency hopping offers enhanced jam resistance and security in tactical data links. This technique involves rapidly switching the carrier frequency among many predetermined frequencies during radio transmission. This rapid switching makes it significantly more difficult for adversaries to jam the communications since they would need to predict the hopping pattern or disrupt multiple frequencies simultaneously.

Additionally, frequency hopping contributes to security by reducing the likelihood that the communication can be intercepted. Without knowledge of the specific hopping pattern or sequence used, any unauthorized parties attempting to eavesdrop on the communication would find it nearly impossible to decode the signal effectively, making the overall communication significantly more secure.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary benefits of frequency hopping. Increasing bandwidth is not a direct benefit of this technique; rather, bandwidth is determined by other factors in the communication system. Similarly, frequency hopping does not result in a reduction in data transmission speed, and it does not limit the range of communication, as range is influenced by other elements such as power output and antenna design.