One of the most impressive things I saw at this year’s SHOT Show has finally been released for sale. The ComTac 6 may look like previous incarnations, but inside, it’s all new.
It features Mission Audio Profile (MAP) and Natural Interaction Behavior (NIB) that enables natural face to face communication in noisy environment.
This video explains these features.
The MAPs include: Observation, Patrolling, Conversation, Comfort and Mic Off.
They’ve done a great job with the five Mission Audio Profiles, but Natural Interaction Behavior is what sets it apart. Imagine being able to communicate in a vehicle or on an aircraft without having to connect to the Internal Communication System. Normally, only one passenger can connect to an aircraft ICS, making it difficult to communicate with one another while flying. The COMTAC 6 changes all of that. With NIB, the ground force can communicate. They can also use the system while in close proximity to one another (10m), like in a common room, NIB kicks in anytime noise levels are above 72 dB.
The Peltor ComTac 6 is available for unit and agency order from ADS.
Wonder if the NIB feature produces enough of a signature to be detected by EW systems.
Yes it will, however users can exercise EMCON or won’t worry about it if already in contact.
Was going to say just this, it is probably RF at output similar to bluetooth low energy, I also assume not in the 2.4GHz band to prevent interference issues, maybe 0.9 or 5.8 ?
To be honest I’m still struggling to find a real application for NIB.
My rational being, what NIB can do that a PTT press can’t? Of course, hand free activation might be a plus, but I feel there’s a potential for miscommunication when you’re getting a message from your TL and you don’t know whether to reply by just talking or by using your radio comms. Same if you end up being more than 10 meters appart.
And obviously, you’ll need to upgrade everybody in the team to Comtac 6 to make it work.
Then again, I might be missing something.
As the video stated, NIB is for close in applications like in a truck or helicopter. 3rd SFG tested these on military free fall passes. The NIB feature was great hearing wind calls and passing jump commands.
Unfortunately for all the EOD techs out there it probably won’t pass the Non-Nuclear, Explosive Safety Board. If it can transmit on it’s own, they won’t even spend the time or money on testing it out.