Sponsored by Spectra Group
https://tacs.at/Spectra
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09 June 22. SlingShot Satellite Communications adds capability to UK Peacekeeping Mission in Mali.
Spectra Group, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, in partnership with Inmarsat, is enabling strategic communications for the UK peacekeeping mission in Mali (Op Newcombe) with its award-winning SlingShot satellite communications system. This announcement coincides with Eurosatory taking place 13-17 June in Paris. Spectra Group’s SlingShot is on display at the AADS stand (Hall 5A Booth No F-668) fitted to a protected AADS J8 Command Vehicle to demonstrate this fully integrated satellite communications capability.
Winner of the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2019, the SlingShot system is not only low in size, weight and power but revolutionary, because it can be integrated with current in-service UHF and VHF tactical communications systems. So, with minimal training and investment, you can extend radio range from 30 km to 1000(+) km and deliver true Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) and Communications on the Move (COTM) on all platforms and in all conditions with one system.
Op Newcombe is the UK contribution to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and is in support of UK Defence Priority Outcome 3 – Enhance global security through persistent engagement and response to crises. Since October 2020, the United Kingdom has deployed a long-range reconnaissance task group, using the Supacat Jackal 2 reconnaissance vehicle, to provide detailed reconnaissance information to the UN mission, to enhance security for the Mali population and deter insurgent activity. SlingShot was developed for and is used by specialist forces globally and is operationally proven in conventional scenarios. As such, it is well suited to the demands of long-range reconnaissance in Mali, where personnel are deployed in remote locations. The use of such innovative technology as SlingShot also perfectly aligns with the UK’s Defence Strategic Enabler Objective 2 – Use of Innovation, Technology and Data.
In addition to robust BLOS voice capability, SlingShot has sufficient bandwidth to carry critical data to support essential applications such as: Situational Awareness tools; GPS tracking; reporting and other data messaging without the need for a ground-based line-of-sight re-broadcasting architecture. Finally, SlingShot’s omnidirectional antennas provide manpack, land, sea and air platforms with real-time COTM, rather than having to be static, as experienced with traditional TACSAT systems. These capabilities combine to provide a “battle winning” strategic enabler for UK forces deployed in support of UK Defence objectives, while also showcasing British innovation and technology to global defence markets.
A soldier deployed in Mali said “Operations in Mali are extremely demanding due to the harsh climate, insurgent threat and large distances to be covered over difficult terrain. Providing secure and reliable communications in such circumstances would normally be a significant challenge. However, using SlingShot to convert existing tactical radios into long-range secure sat comms for voice and data has given us the confidence to focus on delivering our primary mission.”
Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group, said, “We are immensely proud that SlingShot is described by our users as a battle-winning capability, and in how successful it has been in solving the communications challenges faced by both specialist and regular forces. It is truly plug and play, converting any in-service tactical radio system into a BLOS and COTM satellite communications system, with minimal training, so that users can fully focus on the task in hand.”
09 June 22. New Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 Tactical is a Complete Solution for Soldier Mobile Communications on the Battlefield.
The new solution will be showcased at the Eurosatory event June 13-17, 2022, along with Bittium’s other products and solutions for tactical and secure communications.
Bittium, leading supplier of tactical and secure communications solutions, complements its offering with Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 Tactical, a complete tactical solution that enables soldier mobile communications. The solution is based on the ultra secure and rugged Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 smartphone that is connected with either Bittium Tough SDR Handheld™ radio or third-party tactical radios.
The solution is compatible with different battle management systems, which enables real-time and efficient creation and sharing of situational awareness in tactical networks. The Tough Mobile 2 smartphone offers the soldier a wider range of applications to be used in tactical networks and the phone’s big display enables a better user interface compared to traditional soldier radios.
The solution is completed by software that enables secure communication and accessories designed for military use:
* Bittium Secure Call™ application enables end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls and messages with attachments in closed IP networks with no dependency on public Internet or cloud services.
* Bittium Secure Suite™ device management and encryption software enables efficient utilization of the information security features of the smartphone as well as reliable mobile device management, remote attestation, and securing the network connections of the device.
* Bittium Tactical Power Pack™ enables uninterrupted field use for the smartphone and Bittium Tough SDR Handheld radio combination.
* Rugged tactical case designed for Tough Mobile 2 smartphone protects the phone and enables easy use and mounting to soldier gear together with its PALS/MOLLE mount.
“The recent events in Europe have once again highlighted the significance of information security both in the battlefield and in communications by authorities. The Tough Mobile 2 smartphone and its software solutions offer unique layered security and the different variants of the phone enable also solutions certified for different levels of information security,” says Jari Sankala, Senior Vice President of Bittium’s Defense & Security product and service area. “The Tough Mobile 2 Tactical solution as a whole, including its security features and accessories, meets the different challenges in the battlefield and enables versatile mobile communications.”
Bittium showcases the Tough Mobile 2 Tactical solution at the defense & security event Eurosatory during June 13-17, 2022, at Hall 6 / H300.
09 June 22. Allen-Vanguard launches ATAK ECM Plug-in to unify the command and control of their systems.
Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is launching a new innovative electronic countermeasure (ECM) Plug-in for the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) platform. This market leading application unifies the command and control (C2) of all their ECM products to simplify the training, operational and maintenance burden for mission commanders. The ATAK ECM Plug-in is being developed by Aries Defence and is launched at Eurosatory 2022 in Paris (13-17 June 2022). You can visit Allen-Vanguard to discuss the new Plug-in and all their ECM, C-IED and C-UAS capabilities in Hall 5A, Stand ED-657.
ATAK is an Android smartphone geospatial infrastructure and military situation awareness application. It allows for precision targeting, surrounding land formation intelligence, situational awareness, navigation and data sharing. Aries Defense are ATAK Plug-in developers and are an American Defense company that provides tactical-edge video and data solutions to improve situational awareness and increase combat lethality. They have developed over 50 ATAK Plug-ins which are currently fielded by US Agencies, SOCOM and the US Marine Corps. ATAK has a Plug-in architecture allowing developers to add specialist functionality while capitalising on the expanding network that ATAK provides. At the same time, it also provides an easily customizable intuitive interface making it adaptable to the divergent needs of Allen-Vanguard’s wide end user base; whilst maintaining commonality to ease the training burden.
The Allen-Vanguard ATAK ECM Plug-in provides direct C2 to the suite of Allen-Vanguard products facilitating operational mission fills and delivering real-time enhanced situational awareness to increase the response time for quick reaction forces and support decision makers to improve operational tempo. Combing the ECM Plug-in with the ATAK network creates the possibility to remotely operate and modify key ECM systems, thereby simplifying their operation and maintenance while reducing the size and weight of system management by removing the need for extra cables and controllers. It also fully integrates their ECM systems into the SOCOM TAK Program of Record to improve auditability.
Bobby Strawbridge, Director Business Development said “The launching of our new ATAK ECM Plug-in delivers an excellent addition to our product range, to ease the operational burden and simplify the operation and maintenance of our products. It also demonstrates our commitment to innovate and use the best possible hardware and software solutions to maintain RF dominance and pave the way with a world class ATAK Plugin developer to improve our customers’ end user experience and overall mission protection.” He added, “We are also really looking forward to being at Eurosatory to showcase our extensive ECM capabilities”
09 June 22. Galvion introduces new Nerv Centr® Hub Application to UK and Europe at Eurosatory ‘22. Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of integrated, soldier-worn power and data management solutions, with operationally proven pedigree in NATO countries, is excited to be introducing their new Nerv Centr® Hub Application to UK and European markets at Eurosatory 2022. Developed to support their recently launched Man-Worn Power and Data capabilities, the Hub Application offers users the ability to monitor real-time power usage in order to more effectively plan for future missions. Galvion’s new Hub Application, along with the full suite of Nerv Centr® power and data provision and management solutions, and next generation Batlskin® head systems, will be on display at Eurosatory 2022 on booth A198 in Hall 5B. Missions today depend on charged equipment more than ever before, and the complexity of sustaining soldiers on the battlefield expands and shifts with every new technology. Radios, NVGs, GPS, smart phones, laptops, drones, and other surveillance equipment all demand significant power, and the ability to manage that power efficiently is mission-critical. The new Nerv Centr® Hub Application is designed specifically to make the job of real-time power management for the modern operator much easier. Simple to use, with an intuitive, easy to understand user interface, the Application allows the user to monitor and analyse power usage. Some features in Live Power mode include estimated remaining run time based on attached power and devices, low power alert and voltmeter to enable optimal solar blanket positioning. The Application also allows for after-mission Power Analysis which offers a more detailed understanding of power usage and allows for comparisons to be made across users. Mission data can then be included in the Power Modelling tool, which analyses historical and modelled power usage in order to predict future mission needs and enable more precise logistic and support planning. This minimizes battery burden and maximizes run times and efficiency. The Nerv Centr® Hub Application will be available as an enhanced feature for Galvion’s 4-port Power & Data Hub (PDH-4) and will be Android and ATAK compatible. Peter Rafferty, Galvion’s UK President said: “We first demonstrated our new Hub Application to the US market at SOFIC a few weeks ago but exhibiting at Eurosatory gives us an opportunity to introduce the Hub Application to our customers on this side of the Atlantic. We have been actively growing Galvion’s Software Development team over the past few years in order to better serve the user. As technology evolves, we must provide value-add capabilities beyond the simple hardware. This Application sits alongside our existing Man-Worn Power & Data product range and will offer real operational advantages to JTACs, communication specialists and tactical leaders, allowing lighter logistic loads and substantiated, accurate power planning for future missions.”
07 June 22. Commtact unveils the Phoenix family of real-time broadband data link solutions, providing mission-critical wireless communications for multi-domain military operations.
Designed for deployment in demanding ISR and tactical engagement missions, the Phoenix delivers reliable, high-performance broadband video and data connectivity.
Eurosatory Paris, 13-17 June, Hall 6 Stand no H528
June 7, 2022 Commtact Ltd. – a leading provider of advanced wireless communications solutions for defense and security forces, first responder teams and robotics platforms – is unveiling the Phoenix family of real-time broadband data link solutions, providing mission-critical wireless communications for multi-domain military operations.
Easily integrated with various leading military aerial, ground and naval platforms – such as drones, loitering munitions, UASs of all sizes, UGVs, mission helicopters and aircraft, and more – the new communications network is designed for demanding ISR and tactical engagement missions, while delivering reliable, high-performance broadband video and data connectivity.
The Phoenix multi-platform solution is optimized for various link ranges, all the way up to 250 km (~150 mi) (PhoenixSR for short, PhoenixMR for medium and PhoenixLR for long). It provides a point-to-point as well as point-to-multiple-point link, working as a real-time communication relay in order to overcome line-of-sight issues arising in complex areas and tasks in the field.
The system supports two options for tactical combat ground units:
* RVT – enables the combat unit to receive real-time data and video from an aerial platform
* ARVT –enables the combat unit to receive and transmit data and video, facilitating control of payloads
The Phoenix has ideal size, weight and power (SWaP) parameters, and advanced error correction techniques and algorithms that enable reliable and robust full-duplex wideband communications.
“Real-time wireless communication is critical for the successful execution of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and tactical engagement missions,” says Ariel Kandel, CEO of Commtact. “And yet, given the ever-growing number and types of military platforms, each with its own range and performance requirements, it is extremely challenging to ensure reliable wireless connectivity. Commtact’s communications
solutions have been operationally proven to address all of these challenges. Like our other systems, the Phoenix provides a solution that is secure, flexible, reliable and rugged. Commtact has rich experience in the field of communication systems and our systems are installed on dozens of platforms around the world.”
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Spectra Group Plc
Spectra has a proven record of accomplishment – with over 15 years of experience in delivering secure communications and cybersecurity solutions for governments around the globe; elite militaries; and private enterprises of all sizes.
As a dynamic, agile, security accredited organisation, Spectra can leverage this experience to deliver Cyber Advisory and secure Hosted and Managed Solutions on time, to spec and on budget, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Spectra’s SlingShot® is a unique low SWaP system that enables in-service U/VHF tactical radios to utilise Inmarsat’s commercial satellite network for BLOS COTM. Including omnidirectional antenna for the man, vehicle, maritime and aviation platforms, the tactical net can broadcast over 1000s miles between forward units and a rear HQ, no matter how or where the deployment. Unlike many BLOS options, SlingShot maintains full COTM (Communications On The Move) capability and low size and weight
On 23 November 2017, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd announced that it had recently been listed as a Top 100 Government SME Supplier for 2015-2016 by the UK Crown Commercial Services
Spectra’s CEO, Simon Davies, was awarded 2017 BATTLESPACE Businessman of the Year by BATTLESPACE magazine and is a finalist in the inaugural British Ex-Forces In Business Awards in the Innovator Of The Year category.
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