Sponsored by Spectra Group
https://tacs.at/Spectra
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21 May 19. Spectra Group exhibit at the SOFIC exhibition in Tampa Florida. Spectra Group (UK) Ltd is once again be exhibiting at this year’s SOFIC exhibition to be held from May 20 to 23 at the Tampa Convention centre in Florida. As a world leader and provider of high-grade information security and communication capabilities, Spectra have now secured over 3500 orders for the SlingShot systems across 4 continents. The system is used by over 20 different organisations, in mostly NATO countries. Globally, SlingShot is rapidly becoming the system of choice forSpectra Group exhibit at the SOFIC exhibition in Tampa Florida. tactical radio users needing increased range, Communications on the Move, flexibility and interoperability. Taking part at this important showcase of Special Forces equipment further strengthens the group’s footprint in the North American market and beyond.
Spectra Group were recently announced as a winner of the highly prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation Category for SlingShot and are proud to be part of the DIT DSO UK Pavilion which will also host 11 other companies from the UK. The pavilion’s booth number is 1122, Spectra can be found at pod number 9.
Designed to meet demanding Special Forces requirements, Spectra’s SlingShot system is a unique, low size, weight and power (SWaP) system that enables existing UHF and VHF tactical radios to extend their reach into the realm of Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Communications on the Move (COTM). By utilising Inmarsat’s commercial L-band Tactical Satellite service (L-TAC), SlingShot allows a tactical net to be created over 1000s of kilometers to deliver a comprehensive range of tactical and operational network capabilities
In Oct 2018, following contract successes in North America, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd established new offices in Fairfax County with Spectra Group (US) Inc. Spectra Group’s permanent presence in the USA enables closer support for existing partners in North America, as well as dedicated product and service support directly to the end-user. SlingShot was selected to participate in the US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments (AEWE 2019) by the US DoD.
Simon Davies, CEO at Spectra Group (UK) Ltd said: “We’re receiving significant amounts of interest in our products and services across North America and also from around the globe so our attendance at SOFIC 2019 is another fantastic opportunity to meet customers old and new in the SF arena. SOFIC will also give us the opportunity to discuss with our customer base the advantages of our systems. Our team will be on hand and will be more than happy to discuss your requirements so please do make contact by visiting the DIT DSO UK Pavilion”.
22 May 19. US Marines want their phones and tablets to handle classified data. The USMC has selected several companies to bid on task orders that will allow warfighters to transmit secure on-the-move command-and-control and situational awareness data, including sending classified information through commercial smartphones and tablets.
The infantry community has long wanted to use wireless commercial devices for dismounted Marines for reference and tactical sharing. The Marine Common Handheld program will provide the Marine Air Ground Task Force secure mobile computing at the tactical edge enabling tactical combat, combat support and combat service support commanders, leaders and key command and control nodes by using digital communications.
At least two companies have announced they are eligible for task orders under the indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract: PacStar and iGov Technologies. The total value of the contract is $48m.
iGov was awarded $4.4m in the first delivery for the program.
In a May 21 announcement, PacStar said its portion of the award consists of components from the company’s Secure Wireless Command Post to be used for network infrastructure, encryption and cybersecurity. Specifically, PacStar’s system will provide secure, encrypted access to classified networks for smart mobile devices in the tactical network.
The Marines requested modular, man-portable equipment suite allowing units to quickly acquire targets in day, night and near all-weather visibility conditions as well as control close air support and artillery. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
23 May 19. £22m for Army Cyber Centres. Defence news today includes coverage of Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt announcing £2m in funding for Army cyber operations centres. UK Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt spoke at the NATO Cyber Defence Pledge Conference in London yesterday where she announced £22m of funding for new Army cyber centres. The announcement runs in The Independent, The Times, The Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mirror and Evening Standard.
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “We know all about the dangers. Whether the attacks come from Russia, China or North Korea. Whether they come from hacktivists, criminals or extremists. Whether its malware or fake news. Cyber can bring down our national infrastructure and undermine our democracy. It’s time to pay more than lip service to cyber. We must convince our adversaries their advances simply aren’t worth the cost. Cyber enemies think they can act with impunity. We must show them they can’t. That we are ready to respond at a time and place of our choosing in any domain, not just the virtual world. We need coherent cyber offense as well as defence. So today I can announce we will be investing £22m to create new cyber operations centres.” (Source: U.K. MoD)
22 May 19. Faster and more resilient communications for NATO naval forces. For armed forces on joint and allied operations, the ability to share vast amounts of tactical information in the battlespace is crucially important.
By 2025, the new Link 22 tactical datalink will replace Link 11, the digital radio link standard currently used by NATO and its allies.
Operating in the HF and UHF frequency bands, Link 22 will enable naval units to communicate in real time and adapt to a situation as it unfolds so they can accomplish decisive missions effectively.
Link 22 will soon be a vital capability, enabling all components of a NATO naval force to take part in the connected collaborative combat of tomorrow.
Together with Atos, Thales is supporting the transition to collaborative combat in a secure environment through the development of advanced Link 22 functionalities for Thales’s TopLink tactical datalink processor. TopLink is already in service with a dozen countries and also manages tactical messages for airborne units using the Link 16 and Joint Range Extension standards.
To deliver a highly capable, dependable and competitive solution, Atos is contributing its expertise in Link 22 datalink management, while Thales brings its experience in critical multi-link systems to the table.
The agreement builds on a partnership that began in 2009 for initial testing of France’s Link 22 capabilities.
21 May 19. U.S. Marine Corps selects PacStar® Secure Wireless Command Post to provide access for Classified Mobile Devices at the Network Edge. PacStar solution provides breakthrough approach, enabling US Marines to use wireless for mission critical operations.
PacStar®, a leading developer and supplier of advanced communications solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), announced today that U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has selected components from PacStar Secure Wireless Command Post (SWCP) for network infrastructure, encryption and cybersecurity for the Marine Common Handheld (MCH) program. The PacStar system will provide secure, encrypted access to classified networks for smart mobile devices at the very edge of the tactical network. The program will follow Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) requirements to provide secure wireless access.
According to the program synopsis on FedBizOpps.gov, this is a commercial acquisition for Marine Air Ground Task force (MAGTF), for secure mobile computing at the battle space tactical edge with Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) systems. The requirement is for a modular, man-portable equipment suite that allows the warfighter to quickly acquire targets in day, night, and near all-weather visibility conditions; and control close air support (CAS) as well as artillery and Naval surface fire support missions. The MCH system will further serve as a digital information processing and display system that provides integrated, on-the-move secure, timely, and relevant Command and Control/Situational Awareness (C2/SA) to tactical combat, combat support and combat service support commanders, leaders, and key C2 nodes using digital communications.
Under the program, PacStar will provide commercial, small-form factor, rugged networking modules based on the proven, industry-leading PacStar SWCP system. PacStar SWCP delivers CSfC capabilities with extensively certified components – making classified communications possible over commercial technologies – in tactical and expeditionary operations. The solution includes PacStar IQ-Core Crypto Manager, speeding set-up and configuration and reducing monitoring challenges, making fielding CSfC in tactical settings practical for the first time.
“PacStar SWCP small form factor enables U.S. Marine Corps to leverage the power of smart mobile devices at the very edge of the network, for mission critical warfighting operations,” said Peggy Miller, chief executive officer, PacStar. “This new program selection helps us deliver on PacStar’s mission to deliver secure wireless everywhere.”
The program has the potential to acquire up to $48 million in systems, under a five-year IDIQ awarded to information technology company iGov Technologies. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
19 May 19. Kirintec display EW prowess. The Mercury Blade 5 from Kirintec is the latest version of the company’s vehicle platform for jamming systems, and by the end of 2019 the portfolio of Blade vehicle mounted systems is set to have around 1,000 units in service globally.
On display at AOC EW Europe, the system was first fielded in 2014 and has now evolved to version 5, James Baker, sales director at Kirintec, told Shephard. Bolstering the number of units in operation has been aided by the system’s capability to change modules down the line as RF evolves.
It can be utilised on the battlefield as well as for VIP protection operations. ‘One customer has [upgraded] from the Blade 4 to 5,’ Baker shared. The Blade 5 is fully programmable with each module enabling a jamming capability honed in to a specific part of the RF spectrum. With 500W of power, it has a frequency range of 20MHz to 6GHz. Further functionalities include: a built-in self-test, anti-tamper features, zero-ising and a remote-control unit.
Ten years old, Kirintec is a UK company that specialises in the EW area, amongst other sectors, but at the show the focus is on IED and counter-UAS jammers, which are all fielded and mission-proven.
‘With the Blade [nearing] on 1,000 systems around the world and the Ventura in the hundreds [of units], we are taking on bigger programmes… we have Tier 1 NATO and special operation forces customers,’ Baker commented. The above-mentioned Mercury Ventura comprises of a manpack and dock. The former is a high-power man portable carry-forward system with detachable battery cage. When the optional vehicle docking station is combined with the manpack, it enables deployment as a vehicle mounted system. ‘It can be a tailored mission system for threats’, Baker commented. The interface for the system is simple and graphical, Baker noted, further explaining that this ensured easier training for operators. (Source: Shephard)
21 May 19. Intelligent Waves wins contract for US Army Defensive Cyber Operations. Veteran-owned small business Intelligent Waves has secured an Eagle Shield Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) from the US Army in support of Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO). Eagle Shield BPA is intended for ordering in support of Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS), Project Manager Defensive Cyber Operations (PM DCO), US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), ARCYBER, and Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA). It is also open for ordering in support of Chief Information Officer/G6 (CIO G6), Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), and Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S).
Under the contract, Intelligent Waves will provide programme management support services for cyber-related, non-traditional procurement activities of DCO programmes and the Department of Defense (DoD) cyber community.
The work aims to expand DCO capabilities and equip cyberspace defenders with improved abilities in the future.
Integration of complementary systems and advanced technologies is essential to support cyber protection teams (CPTs) globally for the US Army’s mission of maintaining cyberspace security and operations.
The BPA has a five-year performance period and provides flexible, scalable and responsive changes driven by the evolving threat landscape, technological innovations and cyberspace solutions.
Intelligent Waves chief information security officer Matthew Stern said: “Intelligent Waves brings PEO-EIS a unique portfolio of skills to support US Army DCO procurement efforts.
“Our portfolio includes such diverse elements as expertise in DCO operations and analysis, unmatched talent in providing secure communications to elite military units, and deep understanding of the requirements related to the army’s DCO programmes of record.
“We look forward to a partnership to deliver PM DCO with the skills, abilities and operational experience for the successful programme management of the current and future defensive cyber weapon systems in the US Army arsenal.”
Founded in 2006, Intelligent Waves provides end-to-end information technology solutions in enterprise systems engineering, Cloud computing, operations and intelligence analytics. (Source: army-technology.com)
17 May 19. USMC plans switch to multichannel radios. The US Marine Corps (USMC) plans to evaluate the AN/PRC-158 radio as it looks for smaller, lighter, more capable solutions. The corps is seeking a multichannel radio solution that allows for simultaneous monitoring between two radio networks. The new man-packable, multichannel AN/PRC-158 radio is designed to cover a wider frequency spectrum than the previous AN/PRC-117G single-channel radio. The USMC also plans to field a handheld multichannel radio. Both the handheld and man-packable systems will be capable of interfacing with a vehicular integration kit and can be mounted onto any military vehicle, such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
The multichannel radios will lighten the load for marines by encompassing two radios in one system, allowing a unit to carry a multichannel system rather than two individual radios.
The introduction of the multichannel radio system is a significant step toward meeting the National Security Agency’s mandate, which requires all radios not compliant with cryptographic modernisation standards to be replaced by 2024.
The USMC is seeking a Field User Evaluation of the AN/PRC-158 by the fourth quarter of 2019 and is anticipating a procurement decision in 2020. The capability is slated to be fielded by operating forces before 2021. (Source: Shephard)
14 May 19. DARPA Awards Maxar Technologies 2nd Contract for Geospatial Cloud Analytics Hub. Maxar Technologies (NYSE: MAXR) (TSX: MAXR), a global technology innovator powering the new space economy, today announced that it has been awarded a follow-on contract valued at $4.3mi by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to test its Geospatial Cloud Analytics (GCA) Hub. The GCA Hub is an unclassified environment with multi-source content that enables military users to leverage machine learning to extract insights about the planet at scale and make critical decisions for projects like predicting food shortages, political unrest and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This raises Maxar’s total award amount for the GCA Hub to $7.5m.
Under its first GCA Hub contract awarded by DARPA in 2018, Maxar built the secure, cloud-based GCA Hub on the foundations of its Geospatial Big Data (GBDX) platform, a commercially-developed, cloud-based analytics platform. Maxar integrated 18 geospatial data sources, including its 100-petabyte high-resolution optical satellite imagery library, RADARSAT-2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and SAR data curation and processing tools, automatic identification system (AIS) data, open-source and commercial data provided by the company’s growing list of content ecosystem partners. These datasets help users detect features and changes on the surface of the Earth faster and more accurately.
In addition, Maxar built new analytic tools to streamline and enhance the creation of machine learning training data sets. This builds on the company’s rich history of providing curated, open-source data sets for machine learning challenges, such as SpaceNet, xView and IARPA FMoW.
In phase two of the GCA Hub contract, 10 Technical Area 2 Expert (TA2) providers are building and training machine learning models in Maxar’s GCA Hub that seek to address use cases designated by DARPA. Maxar provides technical support as the TA2 providers work to make sense of the growing volume of geospatial data, which can be mined to reveal insights about a wide range of pressing national security concerns.
“Maxar is proud that DARPA selected its GCA Hub for the testing phase of this program, demonstrating that solutions can be made faster for the end user when government harnesses commercial innovation,” said Tony Frazier, Maxar’s Executive Vice President for Global Field Operations.
DARPA funded Lockheed Martin, a TA2 provider working within Maxar’s GCA Hub, to create a machine learning model that uses Maxar’s WorldView optical satellite imagery and RADARSAT-2 SAR imagery to initially identify oil fracking sites. This model aims to allow DARPA end users to monitor existing sites and detect when new ones are built.
“Maxar’s GCA Hub makes it easy for Lockheed Martin to leverage multiple high-quality data sources to build and train our oil fracking detection model,” said Girard Andres, Lockheed Martin Director of Mission Systems Capabilities. “With Maxar’s GCA Hub, our data scientists are now able to extract geospatial information at scale, focus on understanding what’s happening on Earth, and interpret that information to make critical decisions with confidence.”
Lockheed Martin will be demonstrating their object detection and classification model for identifying and monitoring facilities, equipment and objects worldwide in Maxar’s GCA Hub at their booth at the GEOINT Symposium in San Antonio, Texas from June 2-5, 2019.
In addition to traditional remote sensing data sources for machine learning, Maxar’s GCA Hub also enables access to non-traditional data sets required to perform geospatial predictive analytics. Another TA2 provider, Culmen International, integrated a data set from a second Maxar product, Signature Analyst Server, which should help DARPA research methods to detect and predict foreign civil unrest.
“Maxar’s GCA Hub is a powerful, complementary tool for geospatial predictive analytics and we look forward to further testing its capabilities,” said Mark Dumas, Culmen’s Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Technology Solutions.
The operations of DigitalGlobe, SSL and Radiant Solutions were unified under the Maxar brand in February; MDA continues to operate as an independent business unit within the Maxar organization. (Source: ASD Network)
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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.
Founded in 2002, the Company is based in Hereford, UK and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.
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