Sponsored by Spectra Group
——————————————————————-
04 May 23. Spectra Group successfully delivers Live SlingShot Demonstrations to USDOD and deepens its US engagement. Spectra Group, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, in partnership with Inmarsat, has this spring successfully demonstrated cross-country, multi-site tactical communications of Inmarsat’s L-TAC service to the US Department of Defence (USDOD) using their award-winning SlingShot system, which follows on from previous successful Battlelab and end-user experiments outside USSOCOM.
SlingShot has been widely adopted and is operationally proven by USSOCOM with over 4000 units deployed. Over the last year, Spectra Group has been broadening and deepening its engagement with the US military, demonstrating the wide range and utility of the SlingShot system when combined with existing in-service radios and the Inmarsat L-Tac service. Spectra Group participated in the US Army’s Fires Center of Excellence Battle Laboratory “MFIX 2022” in late 2022. This experiment utilized the currently fielded SINGARS VHF radios, AFATADS digital transmission devices and paired with Spectra’s SlingShot system using the Inmarsat L-TAC service. The LRPF Battle Lab conducted hundreds of digital “Calls for Fire” in 2 days over vast ranges. The experiments proved that Forward Observer teams over 600miles away could still rapidly deliver precision fires over existing VHF radios, with SlingShot fitted, delivering lethal effect within 90-120 seconds. The addition of the operationally proven SlingShot’s system as a bolt on capability enhancement, allows traditional manoeuvre formations to engage threats at vast ranges previously unimagined without replacing its communications infrastructure.
The recent USDOD multi-site demonstration was conducted from Reston, Virginia, as well as locations in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Fort Liberty, North Carolina. The L-TAC service combined with SlingShot delivers global, satellite-based beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications at fixed sites and on the move (COTM) for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio users. A key component of the demonstration was to prove the ability of SlingShot, fitted to existing radios and using L-TAC, to augment existing DOD UHF SATCOM capabilities globally by scaling to many users over a vast coverage area. This included the ability to extend all L-TAC nets to dislocated, major headquarters locations that could be anywhere in the world utilizing digital, RF-Over-IP technology.
The enthusiasm to trial the SlingShot system extended to 1st Marine Division based in California, when they wished to exercise the vast ranges associated with their Indopacific area of operations, by combining the exercise with one of their new littoral regiments based in Japan. Again, this experiment proved the ability of SlingShot fitted to existing in-service radios to allow Commander’s to communicate securely while on the move and well beyond line of sight of others. Additionally, the employment of SlingShot provided un-paralleled interoperability of tactical UHF and VHF frequency radios with a minimum training burden.
Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “We are very proud of Slingshot’s operational pedigree and how successful it has been in solving the communications challenges faced by both specialist and regular forces when deployed globally in austere locations. These experiments continue to prove the true ease and utility of SlingShot combined with the Inmarsat L-TAC service to deliver secure voice, data and text at scale on any legacy system for the USDOD anywhere in the world.”
31 Aug 23. Lockheed Martin Delivers Initial 5G Testbed to U.S. Marine Corps and Begins Mobile Network Experimentation . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered the final Phase 1 Initial Prototype 5G testbed variant for the Open Systems Interoperable and Reconfigurable Infrastructure Solution (OSIRIS) to the Marine Corps program management team aboard Marine Corps (USMC) Base Camp Pendleton, California, and will begin mobile network experimentation. OSIRIS is a 5G communications network infrastructure testbed for expeditionary operations experimentation for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s (OUSD R&E) FutureG & 5G Office and the USMC that was awarded to Lockheed Martin in 2021.
Phase 2, experimentation, continues Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the USMC to integrate specific mission applications onto the OSIRIS 5G testbed for evaluation. In parallel, emerging wireless technology will be assessed and selected for use as part of the continued build out of the OSIRIS 5G testbed concluding with three distinct 5G standalone network configurations:
- Trailer-mounted 5G Nomadic Tower;
- ATV-mounted 5G Mobile Relay; and
- Transit case deployable 5G Operational Facility.
“The Lockheed Martin-led team, in close partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps has proven that quickly evolving 5G commercial technology can be leveraged in near real-time to solve current and emergent mission challenges,” said Deon Viergutz, vice president, Lockheed Martin Spectrum Convergence. “The OSIRIS program is leveraging Lockheed Martin’s experience maturing vendor-interoperable solutions based on open standards, which will enable a wide variety of composable 5G solutions tailored to any mission and platform.”
The Lockheed Martin-led team, with subcontractors Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC), Radisys Corporation (NASDAQ: RSYS) and Rampart Communications, Inc., has worked closely with the PM team aboard Camp Pendleton, and the team will continue their close collaboration with the USMC and OUSD R&E over the next 15 months to test, evaluate and ultimately demonstrate the technology as part of a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) event in the Southern California region.
Increased Bandwidth, Faster Speeds in Minutes Instead of Hours
To progress from phase 1 to the experimentation phase, the team successfully integrated an Open Radio Unit (O-RU) with Lockheed Martin’s hybrid base station running Intel’s FlexRAN reference software and hardware technology including Intel Xeon processors, ethernet adapters and accelerators. This integration makes the OSIRIS system one of the first tactical 5G standalone small cell systems compliant with the Open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN) 7.2 split architecture.
O-RAN 7.2 split architecture compliance optimizes the OSIRIS system to oversee increases in bandwidth while also maximizing virtualization of shared resources like radios.
This is crucial to supporting the USMC’s Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) goals, which involve Marines operating in contested environments with increased bandwidth requirements. Additionally, the OSIRIS system aims to reduce overall set-up time.
OSIRIS, a key initiative of Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL® programs, will help address the need for test facilities that enable rapid experimentation and dual-use application prototyping. Here is how:
- The testbed will identify areas for further synergy between 5G networks and DOD platforms that will enhance customer capabilities.
- The infrastructure will allow for the connection of various 5G-ready user devices, sensors, vehicles, and endpoints to explore the military utility of commercial 5G technologies and pave the way for onboarding of new technologies from other OUSD investments while simultaneously addressing cybersecurity requirements.
- This capability will further enable and advance DOD’s Joint All Domain Operations concept.
31 Aug 23. New cyber espionage group uses sophisticated methods to target government entities, tech firms. On 30 August, cyber security company Trend Micro released a report on a new threat group, ‘Earth Estries’, conducting sophisticated cyber espionage campaigns that target government and technology organisations globally. Organisations have been targeted in Germany, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan and the US. In April, Earth Estries was observed using compromised accounts with administrative privileges to obtain access to organisations’ networks. Subsequently, the group used DLL side-loading – a method to trick the operating system into executing malicious code, often for lateral movement and gaining persistence. Notably, the group was observed regularly cleaning the existing backdoor installed on a victim’s network after each round of an operation before then reinstalling a new piece of malware code. This was likely a manoeuvre to prolong its ability to evade detection. This indicates the group is sophisticated, operating with a high-level of resources and skillsets, on par with state-sponsored advanced persistent threat (APT) groups. There is some overlap in toolset with another group, ‘FamousSparrow’, that shares similar tools to a subgroup of Chinese state-sponsored threat group, ‘Winnti’. Consequently, there is a realistic possibility that Earth Estries is of Chinese origin or has ties to the Chinese government. (Source: Sibylline)
30 Aug 23. Bittium’s Next-Generation Products and Systems Enabling Tactical and Secure Communications Showcased at DSEI.
Bittium’s Next-Generation Products and Systems Enabling Tactical and Secure Communications Showcased at DSEI
Bittium Corporation press release on August 30th, 2023, at 10.00 a.m. (CEST +1)
Bittium joins the defense and security exhibition DSEI from 12 – 15 September 2023, in London, UK, and showcases its products and solutions enabling next-generation tactical and secure communications. DSEI is one of the world’s biggest events in its industry. It brings together over 2,800 companies, defense forces and governments, authorities, as well as other actors of the industry.
The tactical communications products and systems on exhibit at the event enable broadband IP-based data transfer and voice across the battlefield. For example, the software-defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ system and Bittium Tough SDR™ radios can be used to form survivable, modular, and scalable tactical communications networks that enable real-time situational awareness from frontline troops to brigade level.
The Tough SDR radios use three different waveforms for communications: Bittium TAC WIN Waveform, Bittium Narrowband Waveform, and ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform (EHDRWF). The EHDRWF ensures communications interoperability amongst defense forces, and the NATO military alliance has decided to adopt it as a coalition waveform “STANAG 5651”. The ratification process was started this spring. The waveform has been developed by a4ESSOR consortium, consisting of Bittium, Indra, Leonardo, Radmor, Rohde & Schwarz, and Thales.
Products and systems for tactical communications:
- Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) is a high-performance, broadband communications system meant for different use cases of defense forces.
- Bittium Tough SDR Handheld™ and Bittium Tough SDR Vehicular™ tactical radios enable excellent performance for tactical communications for both soldiers and vehicles.
- Bittium Tough Comnode™ fulfils the data transfer needs of troops for example as a VoIP phone, IP router, and field wire repeater.
- Bittium Tough VoIP Field Phone™ 2 is a next-generation VoIP phone, which, thanks to its features, accessories, and powering options, is the optimal solution for battlefield, vehicles, and command posts.
- Distributed and survivable Bittium Tough VoIP Service™ complements the offering by connecting users of the communication networks to the same voice service.
The products and solutions that enable secure communications include the ultra secure and rugged Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 C smartphone and the related Bittium Secure Suite™ back-end system. Together they form a smartphone solution that has received official Confidential level encryption product classification (NCSA-FI). Bittium has also applied for NATO military alliance’s information security listing for the solution.
- Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 C is a smartphone designed for demanding ultra secure mobile communications and it is a combination of unparalleled hardware- and software-based information security features as well as durability, and two completely separate and hardened operating systems.
- Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 Tactical is a complete solution that enables soldier mobile communications. It is based on the secure and rugged Bittium Tough Mobile™ 2 smartphone that can be connected with either Bittium Tough SDR Handheld radio or third-party tactical radios.
- Bittium Secure Suite™ device management and encryption software product enables efficient utilization of the information security features of the Tough Mobile smartphones as well as reliable mobile device management, remote attestation, and secures the data transmission of the device.
- Bittium Secure Call™ application’s information security covers end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, group calls, messages with attachments, group messaging, push-to-talk voice messages, and a feature that destroys messages after a predefined time.
All Bittium’s products are compatible with each other, are based on the latest software and device technologies, and offer diverse connectivity options also to third-party equipment and systems.
31 Aug 23. MilDef launches new brand positioning platform and groundbreaking product advancements at DSEI 2023.
At DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) MilDef will showcase rugged IT solutions for the digitalized battlefield as well as a series of advancements. A new brand platform, WE ARMOR IT, will be inaugurated as well as a range of product news for the modern defense arena, such as panel PC technology, miniaturized computers and switches and software deployment at the Tactical edge.
DSEI 2023, in the most significant and largest iteration of the show in its 24-year history, will tackle the theme of ‘Achieving an Integrated Force’. Highlighting the pertinence of integrating across the five operational domains of Air, Cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA), Land, Sea and Space. Among a wide array of rugged computers, servers, network products, tablets, displays and special electronics for modernizing the battlefield, MilDef in 2023 launch the next quantum leaps in technology advancements. For instance.
- The new generation of Panel PC technology, offering a significant advancement in rugged display, comprising a versatile ecosystem of detachable computers to be docked into screen modules.
- Launch of Android devices for Dismounted soldier systems.
- Newly developed miniseries of computers and switches.
- The launch of a brand new OneCIS battle station, presenting the unique software solution for rapid deployment of IT services at the Tactical Edge.
“Never before have we entered the DSEI stage with such a full spectrum of next level customer offerings, with product news that help our customers digitalize vital information streams in the most challenging environments. We are also excited to launch the next level of our costumer promise as we inaugurate our new brand platform, WE ARMOR IT. DSEI is simply the place to be to tap into a quickly evolving defense market and a perfect platform for MilDef to team up with customers and partners”, says Henning Linnebjerg, CSO MilDef Group.
DSEI takes place September 12-15 in London, ExCeL Convention Center, MilDef booth is H2-655.
29 Aug 23. Reutech announces ‘new dawn’ in HF radio communications. Reutech Communications has introduced a novel method of using legacy technology to create a ‘resilient’ or reliable radio network capable of not only sending voice communications but also data.
Addressing the Military Information and Communications Symposium of South Africa (MICSSA) in Pretoria last week, Dr James Whitehead, manager of engineering at Reutech Communications, announced that he had “exciting results” to share.
By digitally upgrading an old technology — HF radio – he said Reutech had inaugurated a ‘new dawn’ in military radio communications.
High Frequency (HF) radio operates in the 3 o 30 MHz frequency band and is a form of beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communication due to the radio waves being bounced off the ionosphere, giving coverage halfway around the world, making it a low-cost alternative to satellite communications.
He pointing out that HF communications are one of the oldest electronic military communications mediums, and that HF has both disadvantages and advantages. Among the ‘downsides’ are the narrow band, the complexity of the equipment and aerials used, plus an experienced, skilled operator needed to make HF radio viable. In addition, the time of day and weather conditions affect communication. The narrow bandwidth also limits sending text or images as well as making some types of communications, such as streaming video, impossible. Another difficulty is the congested and contested bandwidth and the area where the radio operator or the receiver is located, which is especially problematic in built-up areas.
On the positive side, HF communications do not require complex technology such as satellite downlinks, for example, and can be carried by a single soldier or a vehicle and yet reach thousands of kilometres. HF has long been used in strategic military communications; therefore, it is familiar and is very difficult to jam, disrupt or turn off.
According to Whitehead, there has been a ‘renaissance’ in this old technology. Third generation (3G) digital technology adds a layer to the HF band, revolutionising HF communications, resulting in an increased bandwidth up to STANAG 4538 level, a NATO standard available to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Automated Link Establishment (ALE) have combined to make HF radio simpler to use and able to transmit both text and images, as well as reliable voice transmission. This gives an advantage of locational diversity, but also frequency diversity.
For example, Whitehead suggested that four fixed stations working on ten frequencies made 40 possible combinations, so the Resilient Network/ALE can decide which frequency is optimal for the communication.
While HF radio is widespread at sea, landward applications that were discussed would be in Command and Control (C2) and border security.
The essence of the new HF technology is its network function, which replaces the old point-to-point form, where, for instance, an area commander might talk to a specific armoured vehicle or radio operator – now communication is possible across a network.
A key new element is ‘resilience’, where a ‘resilient’ network would be one that the soldier or sub-unit could rely on to send and receive voice and text reliably and ‘get comfort from the continuous connectivity.’ This includes an ‘almost WhatsApp connectivity’ which, like the cell phone app, preserves earlier messages.
The landward network was tested over much of South Africa, with nodes being in built-up areas, and the results were positive, Reutech said. The advantage of networks is that communications can happen from fixed-point nodes to moving ones (a command point to a vehicle or multiple vehicles) or back from them, or to each other, or to dismounted personnel using manpacks.
Tests were also done to send data, such as email, over HF nets, with success. Whitehead added that with the new digital-supported HF network system, the radio operator did not need to have a complex understanding of weather or HF radio, and that deployed signals members would have a much easier time than their earlier counterparts. It should be added that these HF sets are considerably smaller than earlier sets.
A cell phone end-to-end encrypted messaging app has been tested by Reutech’s sister company, Nanotech, and this opens the possibilities for tactical military BLOS communications to be paired with civilian communications, which is a real leap ahead, according to Whitehead.
He said: “It’s more important to know that you can communicate than to know you can communicate sometimes at a very high speed.” Reutech’s aim is to provide reliable communications to troops. He stressed that the new network could not only hop frequencies but prevent jamming, because jamming is very directional, so the network could select an alternate fixed point to receive communications.
Whitehead summarised his presentation by saying South Africa was at the forefront of HF communications with the new waveform ability and the networking capability creating a ‘new dawn’. “We’re there, we’re ready”, Whitehead said. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
29 Aug 23. Kromek, the radiation and biological detection specialists headquartered in Sedgefield, County Durham, are returning to DSEI, Europe’s largest security and defence exhibition with over 2800 exhibitors, at London’s ExCel Centre from 12-15 September 2023. Government, military, and civilian personnel from the UK and more than 150 countries are expected to attend. The company will be part of the Make UK Defence pavilion, alongside some of the UK’s most innovative security and defence manufacturers. (H2-250).
Kromek will be featuring its suite of radiological detectors, including the full range of the “D family” hand-held radioisotope detection devices, including the D3M, D3S and D5 RIID. These devices are known for their networked capability to integrate with local, national, and international systems; their noted accuracy and ability to rapidly identify even the smallest samples and lowest dose rates; and their endurance, portability, and ease of use.
The company will also be debuting its two revolutionary standalone static node detectors, the Static Node D and Static Node R. These detectors were designed for unattended, continuous spectroscopic radiation monitoring via satellite communication. They combine the compatibility and sensitivity of the existing suite of Kromek detectors with satellite connectivity, ruggedised casing, with the Static Node R encompassing an enhanced power pack to enable the device to be used for up to 7 days in a higher activity environment.
Kromek will also be featuring their biological detection capability at DSEI. The integrated environmental monitoring systems allow the early, agnostic detection of biological threats across large areas, with minimal user interaction. Kromek’s novel autonomous biosensing system – “a lab in a box” – detects the presence of airborne or waterborne pathogens. Kromek offers a revolutionary capability to understand and control the spread of diseases..
Craig Duff, Kromek’s CBRN Business Manager, said “With the ever-present threat of a radiological or biological incident, given current international events, our detection capabilities are more necessary than ever. We are looking forward to returning to DSEI and demonstrating our range of radiological and biological detectors to many of our existing and prospective customers from the global CBRN community as well as infrastructure and platform providers and integrators.”
16 Aug 23. Digital Superiority on the Battlefield blackned to showcase revolutionary TACTICAL CORE communication platform at DSEI 2023 in London. Military IT specialist blackned is set to showcase its revolutionary solution for critical communications and data exchange, TACTICAL CORE, at DSEI in London.
The software portfolio connects the forces involved on the battlefield to form an extremely effective digital network that allows information to be exchanged quickly and securely. TACTICAL CORE is approved by Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) for data transmission up to the level of ‘NATO Restricted,’ ensuring secure and authorised communication. At DSEI in London, the company from Heimertingen in Bavaria will be demonstrating how its communications platform ensures digital superiority on the battlefield.
The current events surrounding the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine have shown how important the networked and secure transmission of quickly available information is. It provides the decisive advantage during combat. Direct and secure communication is crucial, especially on the forward battlefield. TACTICAL CORE bridges this gap, offering a digital network for tactical-level information exchange, from brigade-level military organisations downwards.
This is exactly where blackned comes in: The blackned solution ensures effective interoperability with existing digital and analogue radio technologies, as well as the integration of new equipment. The introduction of more information, equipment, technologies, and systems into the battlefield means that the overall network becomes very complex. This results in the challenge of how to operate and maintain such a complex network, especially during deployment. To address this challenge as effectively and securely as possible, TACTICAL CORE relies on various IT solutions from blackned:
- The XONITOR software is the monitoring and management tool.
- RIDUX is a reliable and efficient data and communication infrastructure.
- The patented MeshFLOW enables seamless connectivity, even when soldiers move dynamically from one deployment area to another.
As a digital network, RIDUX enables the exchange of information at the tactical level, i.e., at the military organisation from brigade level downwards. Consisting of approximately 5,600 soldiers and hundreds of armoured and other vehicles, the brigade and its units can perform operational tasks independently and fight in conjunction with other forces. RIDUX creates a highly secure, dynamic, and self-organising communication infrastructure, ensuring joint situational awareness at all levels. “Time advantages through faster communication can save lives,” emphasises Timo Haas, blackned’s CEO and founder.
TACTICAL CORE is a design blueprint for the digitalisation of armed forces that encourages collaboration among developers, vendors, and users. It stands apart from restrictive barriers and exclusive access limitations, fostering innovation and creativity. There are no artificial barriers or exclusive access restrictions that could limit innovation and creativity.
“Customers have direct access to the source code, retaining sovereignty over the software without dependency on a service provider,” explains CEO Timo Haas.
Already in the test phase with the German Armed Forces, blackned’s virtual network has garnered positive responses from decision-makers. DSEI provides a platform for blackned to convince additional forces of the platform’s effectiveness, aiming to solidify its position as a leader in cutting-edge communications solutions.
(Source: www.joint-forcescom)
22 Aug 23. SPX CommTech introduces enhanced Data Link Encoder/Decoder to accelerate critical data transfer.
- The new Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder delivers improved low-latency, long-range, high-definition video and audio transfer for faster and more accurate intelligence-gathering across defence, security and policing organisations worldwide.
Radio Frequency (RF) solutions manufacturer SPX CommTech today launches its next generation Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder, developed by Enterprise Control Systems (ECS). The lightweight, low-power unit can be installed on manned and unmanned air platforms, providing real-time intelligence-gathering, incident response, and civilian safety. It will be shown first at DSEI, Excel London, stand H2-874, between 12-15 September 2023.
Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder supplies high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) H.265 low-latency encoding to deliver superior multi-video compression for efficient video recording and real-time, secure distribution. Latency below 120 milliseconds end-to-end means images are transferred and received in real-time, enabling greater situational awareness, and more accurate, faster response.
It significantly reduces the required bandwidth to transfer the same – or better – quality video and audio data than existing models in the market. Considering the limited RF bandwidths available to defence, security and policing organisations, access to freed-up IP allows greater flexibility for sharing critical data through encrypted file shares. It also allows greater use of applications such as electro-optical/infrared sensors, and tracking and location data being shown on a moving map – all improving incident response.
The decoder mirrors the encoding capabilities, allowing the real-time re-streaming – or transcoding – to multiple destination points such as a command centre or at the tactical edge using mobile devices. This adds flexibility to users’ video distribution aims in one single solution.
The upgraded video and audio Data Link solution, which is the latest in the ECS Evenlode series, delivers highly sought-after 4K Ultra High Definition video image quality. This delivers a maximum system resolution of 1080p60 and enhances the image after compression, making it easier to identify details and potential threats.
The device is certified to RTCA DO160G standard, which assures the performance characteristics of the equipment required for kit fitted to airborne manned, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.
It’s backwards compatible with ECS’ operationally-proven legacy equipment, meaning users can keep up to date with the latest decoding technology without upgrading their entire systems.
Tactical Data Links provide the ability for aircraft to become network-enabled across land, sea and air and, therefore, able to carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions across all of them. Data is transmitted using sophisticated, in-house designed encryption software. The new Encoder / Decoder has six separate video inputs – four HD and two SD – capable of encoding four videos simultaneously. This allows users to select the latest mission-critical information required without disrupting the operation and simultaneously process multiple video inputs for improved situational awareness.
“The ability to record, receive, and stream real-time high-quality video and data is critical for all defence, security, and policing organisations charged with securing their nation’s population and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). At SPX CommTech we’re committed to providing solutions that allow faster, more detailed communication across longer distances”, says Jackson White, Business Development Director of Tactical Data Links and VP Marketing, SPX CommTech. “The launch of the new Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder is part of our continued strategic development of technologies that ensure a smarter, more secure future for all by delivering fast and accurate ISR data so timely and effective decisions can be made on the tactical edge.”
SPX CommTech continues to innovate Data Link solutions to provide critical support to defence, security, and policing organisations worldwide.
The new Evenlode Video and Audio Encoder / Decoder is now available to order. For more information, visit www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk or book a time to discuss your Data Link needs with us at DSEI (Excel London, 12-15 September 2023) by emailing .
About SPX CommTech – ECS
Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), as part of the SPX Technologies’ CommTech Platform, innovates specialised technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.
SPX CommTech’s Tactical Data Link portfolio allows organisations that are conducting airborne ISR operations in the defence, security, and policing environments to transfer video and data securely and reliably between enabled aircraft and ground users over long distances in congested RF environments.
Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX CommTech delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers across the globe – in regions including Europe, APAC, the Middle East and Africa.
For more information on SPX CommTech Tactical Data Links, visit www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk
16 Aug 23. ViaLite’s Mil-Aero Link Meets Demanding Satcom Requirements in Japan. The Mil-Aero 6 GHz Link Pair supplied to a new ViaLite customer in Japan meets the telecommunications manufacturer’s requirement for market leading C-band RF over fiber operation, as well as covering other popular Satcom bands from 10 MHz through to 6 GHz. The Tokyo-based company was particularly impressed with its stability over C-band frequencies.
The link’s features are specifically tailored for demanding Air Force, Navy and Army applications, such as Telemetry Tracking and Control Systems (TT&C), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) deployments, Tethered Aerostat, UAV and Drone applications, and Multi-Service Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
“Feedback from our users worldwide consistently shows our Mil-Aero Link Pair to be setting a new design standard of higher electrical performance and mechanical integrity, along with superior quality and reliability,” said John Meyers, ViaLite Sales Manager – Asia Pacific.
The link offers the best Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) performance in its class, making it ideal for high bandwidth applications or where the application has a wide range of RF signal powers. It can operate over distances as long as 50 km, and is further enhanced by a low noise figure (NF), optional gain and 1 dB compression points (CP).
Design options are available in standard gain, high gain/low noise figure and high output power configurations that are easily adjusted in-field for signal optimization. The link can be deployed in a rack card form factor (1U and 3U chassis), as well as in small stand-alone modules for indoor and outdoor applications.
13 Jul 23. Comtech Awarded $30m Troposcatter Contract to Support US Army Communications. Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today that the company was recently awarded a $30m contract from Fairwinds Technologies, LLC to provide Comtech’s next-generation Troposcatter Family of Systems (FOS) in support of U.S. Army tactical communications.
Under this contract, Comtech will provide its leading software-defined Troposcatter FOS to enhance U.S. Army Beyond-Line-of-Site (BLOS) communications capabilities across all domains. With the most deployed Troposcatter communications systems in the world, Comtech’s feature rich FOS can be seamlessly integrated with other communications systems to provide the U.S. Army with integrated, resilient, and flexible network architectures that can be used to significantly enhance the situational awareness picture in nearly every environment.
“This award further demonstrates Comtech’s global leadership in turnkey Troposcatter communications technologies as well as the value of our battle-proven FOS, which can deliver robust, high capacity BLOS capabilities when and where they matter most,” said Ken Peterman, President and CEO, Comtech. “Through this award, we believe Comtech will become the leading provider of next-generation Troposcatter systems for the U.S. Army.”
Comtech’s portfolio of defense and security technologies, including its next-generation Troposcatter FOS, are designed to deliver the integrated communications capabilities needed to enhance Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) operations. Comtech has extensive experience developing and deploying customized, interoperable, robust, and resilient communications systems and services for all branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as coalition forces.
Comtech’s Troposcatter FOS are squarely positioned to support military operations, disaster response situations, emergency communications restoration events, and other government and commercial applications. With software defined technologies embedded at the core, Comtech’s Troposcatter systems can continuously evolve over time to meet emerging government and commercial use cases as well as support future smart-enabled networks across a variety of global markets and geographies.
Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, Fairwinds Technologies designs and integrates communications, networking, and information technology solutions to serve defense and civilian agencies around the world.
02 Aug 23. Viasat Launches Black ICE Software Defined Radio Platform. New family of innovative, high-performance modem solutions enable the integration of commercial off-the-shelf as well as custom waveforms for low SWaP, secure beyond line-of-sight data communications.
Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced the launch of its Black ICE Software Defined Radio (SDR) family of modem solutions. The Black ICE SDR modem solutions enable the integration of commercial off-the-shelf and custom waveforms, allowing secure data transmission for mission-critical operations.
With the increasing use of uncrewed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, combatant commands require a reliable, flexible, secure, low size, weight and power (SWaP) solution that provides consistent communications coverage to support their missions.
The Black ICE SDR product line enables a host of new innovative capabilities via the proven and reliable ELERA L-band and Global Xpress Ka-band networks, augmenting U.S. Government resources for land, sea and air communications worldwide.
Black ICE SDRs are designed to meet high-demand requirements of military users by offering security, flexibility, low form factor and high-performance terminals. The solutions support Xilinx and Intel Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architectures in both L-band and Ka-band, as well as OpenAMIP for antenna management. Additionally, it enables a reduction in SWaP for L-band LAISR user terminals, further supporting customers’ BLOS communications requirements for open architecture, security, low form factor terminals and high performance.
Leveraging the resilient, secure, and easy-to-use ELERA L-band network, Black ICE SDR allows for flexible waveform integration and provides low SWaP solutions that meet challenging user terminal form factor and performance requirements for beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications on crewed and uncrewed platforms, as well as expeditionary Command and Control (C2) operations.
For Ka-band customers, Black ICE can be integrated into standard Global Xpress Ka-band terminals via G-MODMAN II and Open Platform (OP) modem manager technology to enable the addition of a special waveform service. Through the special waveform service, U.S. Government Global Xpress customers will be able to access alternative waveforms to satisfy specific high-demanding mission requirements, such as high data rate and resiliency necessary in congested and contested environments.
More complex waveforms and enhancements are in development and will enter commercial service later in 2023 to offer new features and provide customers more flexibility in addressing evolving mission requirements. Additionally, Black ICE will enable the addition of future enhanced special waveform features so that the service can utilize the capabilities of Viasat’s next-generation satellites.
Matt Wissler, Chief Technology Officer at Viasat Government Systems, said, “With the increasing use of beyond line-of-sight communications as part of ISR and C2 missions, U.S. Government customers require a high-performance solution that maximizes platform range and reduces signatures for land, sea and air. The Black ICE SDR platform provides customers with solutions that enable flexible waveform integration and allow them to securely transmit large volumes of data while meeting the SWaP requirements of these platforms.
“We are excited to offer our Black ICE family of modem solutions to our U.S. Government customers. This innovative capability enhances our current service offerings and enables us to prepare new mission-specific solutions that will leverage the capabilities of our next-generation satellites while delivering additional value to the end user,” Wissler added.
For more information on the Black ICE SDR solutions, please visit https://www.inmarsatgov.com/capabilities/black-ice-sdr/.
14 Aug 23. DSEI Visitors to Discover How RF over Fibre Enables Maritime ESM & Land EW Solutions. PPM Systems, the expert in RF over fibre architecture solutions for government and defence, is exhibiting at the biggest ever DSEI event this September and will be showcasing proven RF over Fibre solutions designed to enable the next step in capability performance in the maritime ESM (Electronic Support Measures), land ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) and EW (Electronic Warfare) domains. The operationally and commercially proven RF over Fibre products that PPM Systems have integrated together to form complete RF over fibre solutions, will be on display on stand H2-867.
These RF over fibre architecture solutions deliver ‘Any Signal, Anywhere’, and provide an easy post-design integration option with lossless and secure signal transport. This makes them suitable for routing into SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) environments, and ideal for cost effective improvement of maritime ESM capabilities.
PPM Systems is leveraging the benefits of COTS products and developing them for defence applications, using extensive domain knowledge to form complete RF over fibre architecture solutions from these products. This industry-leading knowledge ensures seamless signal transmission even in demanding maritime and land environments, whilst providing exceptional signal quality and performance alongside antenna positioning freedom.
These solutions are, and continue to be, developed in alignment with LCA open standards, with PPM Systems poised to enable Land ECM & EW capabilities through ruggedised and dynamically reconfigurable signal distribution – a step change in capability for customers.
“DSEI is the ideal platform to showcase the proven solutions which are ready to be integrated into existing and new systems,” said Neil Seager from PPM Systems. “RF over fibre provides a vastly more efficient, secure and flexible option for both maritime and land applications, improving effectiveness of CESM (Communications Electronic Support Measures).”
Covering the theme ‘Achieving an Integrated Force’ this year, DSEI promises to be an unmissable event crucial to governments, armed forces and the wider surrounding industries. Offering cutting-edge solutions, networking opportunities, and valuable insights from industry experts, the show will empower attendees to stay at the forefront of the rapidly evolving defence and security landscape.
Don’t miss this opportunity to visit PPM Systems on stand H2-867 for a coffee while you discover the benefits of signal transport freedom. Register for your ticket: https://www.dsei.co.uk/.
For more information on PPM Systems’ products and capabilities, please visit www.ppmsystems.com.
————————————————————————-
Spectra Group Plc
Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, internationally renowned award-winning information security and communications specialist with a proven record of accomplishment.
Spectra is a dynamic, agile and security-accredited organisation that offers secure Hosted and Managed Solutions and Cyber Advisory Services with a track record of delivering on time, to spec and on budget.
With over 15 years of experience in delivering solutions for governments around the globe, elite militaries and private enterprises of all sizes, Spectra’s platinum and gold-level partnerships with third-party vendors ensure the supply of best value leading-edge technology.
Spectra was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2019 for SlingShot.
In November 2017, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd announced its listing as a Top 100 Government SME Supplier by the UK Crown Commercial Services.
Spectra’s CEO, Simon Davies, was awarded 2017 Businessman of the Year by Battlespace magazine.
Founded in 2002, the Company is based in Hereford, UK and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.
————————————————————————-