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Archive for the ‘Comms’ Category

SOF Week 24 – GoTenna SkyWave

Monday, May 13th, 2024

GoTenna demonstrated their new SkyWave system which offers Beyond Line of Sight, HF backhaul using 3G-ALE links to GoTenna mesh network users.

This means users of GoTenna’s mesh network can extend their range even farther, for up to thousands of miles by the integrating High Frequency radios into the network. This allows for multiple local data networks to interact, despite large distances as well as reach back to command and control centers, providing access to their capabilities remotely.

Introducing DarkVault 2.0 A Critical Gear Case for the New Battlefield

Thursday, May 9th, 2024

Thyrm is pleased to announce the launch of the DarkVault 2.0, a new mobile comms platform that provides complete protection for your smartphone without the need for a special phone case.

“The DarkVault 2.0 is purpose-built for smartphone use in austere environments,” says Andrew Frazier, CEO at Thyrm. “Attach the DarkVault 2.0 to plate carriers or chest rigs and you can quickly dock and use your phone for navigation, ballistics info, ad-hoc mesh comms, or any other use.”

The DarkVault 2.0 is available in two sizes, one for regular size phones and one for Max/Plus size phones, both in slim cases. It features an integrated phone clamp, a MOLLE/PALS attachment system with full mechanical interlocks, and a stable viewing platform.

Key features of the DarkVault 2.0:

• Fully enclosed smartphone protection
• Waterproof, dustproof Poron® sealing gasket
• Integrated phone clamp
• MOLLE/PALS attachment system with full mechanical interlocks
• Lockable case latch and attachment latch
• Regular and Large sizes for most 6.1″ and 6.5″ phones in slim cases
• Comms Version Only: Adhesive overlay can be removed to allow for camera use
• Blocking Version Only: Proprietary polymer construction reduces signal transmission by 110dB
• Custom-cut adhesive Velcro loop attachment available for ID/patch/accessory attachment
• Designed and Made in the USA

The DarkVault 2.0 is available for purchase now on Thyrm.com starting at $89.99.

thyrm.com/product/darkvault-2

SOF Week 24 – Shaw Concepts

Thursday, May 9th, 2024

This is Shaw Concepts‘ first outing at SOF Week and they came on strong with several upcoming items including a new radio pouch, the H.I.V.E.

Naturally, it’s PALS compatible and is adjustable to accommodate most radios. In addition to adjustable height, the pouch features ventilation to deal with heat created by the radio.

Look for it soon.

Sneak Peek – Updated DarkVault from Thyrm

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Look for the new DarkVault next week in both Comms and Signal Blocking versions.

thyrm.com

Spectra Group Launches GENSS to the US Defense Market at SOF Week 2024

Friday, May 3rd, 2024

Following the initial announcement in January 2024, Spectra Group are springboarding the GENSS system into the US market at SOF 24. Spectra Group, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, is showcasing its next generation of tactical radio communications GENSS (pronounced genesis /j?n??-s?s) at SOF Week 2024 and will be displayingGENSS and the highly popular SlingShot from 6-10 May 2024 in booth #1805 at the Tampa Convention Centre.

GENSS builds on the foundations created by their award-winning SlingShot system, embodying Spectra Group’s vision of producing the ultimate radio systems that capitalize on technological advances, adapt to the evolving demands of military operations and simplify the user experience. It has been designed and developed through a collaborative effort of tactical communication experts, seasoned military specialists and top-tier U.K. scientists and engineers. GENSS is a significant advancement in the field of tactical radio communications, due to its modular core framework and software-defined flexibility, heralding a new era in communication technology.

This modular, agnostic hardware radio system is designed to be agile and provide the ultimate interoperability through straightforward software reprogramming to adapt quickly and easily to meet the diverse needs of its users. Capable of operating across HF, VHF, UHF, and satellite bands, GENSS is engineered to conquer Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) barriers and support Communications on the Move (COTM), delivering a robust and agile solution for voice and high-bandwidth data transmission across all domains — land, sea, and air. GENSS boasts high-capacity, network sensing capabilities and has increased data rates over 25kHz LTAC channels, scaling up to 90kBps. It has adaptive modulation waveforms, which automatically adjust through network sensing techniques, to meet the tactical situation (on the move and in combat vs at the halt scenarios). Also, through novel engineering techniques, voice and low data rate solutions can be applied in the contested communications space to minimise detection.

This revolutionary radio solution can stand alone or be integrated into any existing radio infrastructure and works seamlessly with SlingShot; unleashing superior interoperability and flexibility to meet the demands of today and the future. By integrating multi-mission and multi-mode functionalities, combined with its modular design and open architecture, it delivers unparalleled adaptability for robust battlefield connectivity. Secure by design and integrating the latest most advanced technological hardware means GENSS not only delivers maximum performance while minimizing its size, weight and power, but also delivers a future-proofed capability. In addition, it is simple to operate and configure, with an easy-to-programme user interface, resulting in an overall reduced training burden.

Simon Davies, Chief Executive at Spectra Group, said: “For years, my vision has been to craft the ultimate radio system — user-friendly, light, modular and supremely flexible to adapt to the evolving demands of military operations and technological advances. After years of dedicated development, GENSS is the fruition of that vision and builds on the foundations set by our award-winning SlingShot system. Designed by soldiers, for soldiers, GENSS is not just a game-changer for military applications but possesses vast potential for integration into broader communication networks, unlocking endless possibilities.”

Tactical Communications for the Bundeswehr: Rheinmetall Wins Framework Contract with a Potential Order Value of €400 Million

Thursday, April 25th, 2024

Intercom with hearing protection function for cross-sectional force equipment

Rheinmetall has been commissioned by the Bundeswehr in a key project for tactical communications which is of cross-sectional importance for the entire force. The technology company has been contracted to supply up to 191,000 sets of the “intercom with hearing protection function”. The framework contract has a seven-year term and a potential order volume of up to €400 million net. 

The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag had imposed conditions on the project. 30,000 sets including connection cables with delivery in 2024 have been firmly ordered. A call-off for the delivery of a further 30,000 sets for 2025 is expected. These two delivery batches financed from the special fund will have a net value of up to around €140 million.

The intercom with hearing protection function (abbr. SmG in German, for “Sprechsatz mit Gehörschutz¬function”) includes modern active capsule ear protection that attenuates harmful impulse noise and amplifies quiet sounds. It also has a microphone and can be connected to various radio devices so that radio communication is possible. In addition to the combined headset, the scope of supply includes various push-to-talk (PTT) buttons and different cable sets for connecting to a range of radios and on-board communication systems. Rheinmetall has involved two leading manufacturers as subcontractors for the project: 3M Peltor with the ComTac VIII headset and CeoTronics AG with CT-Multi PTT 1C and 3C. The SmG is compatible with the Rheinmetall-supplied new combat helmet as well as with other Bundeswehr helmet types. 

This order underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role in the field of military equipment. The technology company is the prime contractor for the System Infantry Soldier of the Future – Expanded System to the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall markets various configurations of its Gladius soldier system internationally. 

US Air Force Fully Confirms Satcom Direct RO/RO Ku-band TRASC C-130 Capability Following 26-hour Endurance Test

Wednesday, April 17th, 2024

Melbourne, Florida/ 15 April 2024 – SD GovernmentSDG, the satellite communications provider for global governments and the US Air Force, has successfully tested the Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite communications (SATCOM) capability SDG developed with Florida-based R4 Integration, Inc. (R4i) in a 26-hour 20-minute mission aboard a Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules. Following the intense validation flight, the SD/R4i Tactical Removeable Airborne Satellite Communications (TRASC) BLOS solution is now fully available for US Air Force use.

Performed as part of Exercise Gnarly Explodeo, the maximum endurance mission recorded 100% reliability and availability from the TRASC system as it facilitated secure command and control data communications, defense applications, intelligence updates, electronic flight bags, video conferencing, voice over internet and WiFi calls. The equipment connects with the Intelsat FlexAir service, which employs an optimized high-throughput global satellite network to deliver dedicated airtime to government users. The SD/R4i TRASC system supports the commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC), General Mike Minihan, in achieving his intention to have 25% of the AMC fleet connected by 2025.

The SD/R4i TRASC BLOS solution integrates the SD Plane Simple® Ku-band terminal within a Multi-Purpose Hatch System (MPHS) designed to replace the existing C-130 standard upper forward or center fuselage hatches.The SDG team assisted US Air Force maintainers as they installed the system on a 41st Airlift Squadron, 19th Airlift Wing C-130J, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

“This platform enables global command and control, providing our crew with unparalleled situational awareness,” remarked Colonel Denny Davies, 19th Airlift Wing and Little Rock commander, after the mission. “It makes the C-130 much more resilient and capable in the vastness of the Pacific, reinforcing the Air Force’s core tenant of distributed control.”

The turnkey solution mounts the SD Plane Simple® antenna in the MPHS. It includes a compact RO/RO BaseBand kit that integrates a secure enclave, modem, Link-16, airborne router, and power supply.  The stand-alone system only requires AC or DC power from the aircraft to operate and distribute real-time BLOS connectivity.

“SD prides itself on rigorously testing all our equipment before we put it into service. The success of this endurance flight exemplifies the power of our advanced technology and its versatility in delivering new capabilities to our forces. We are proud to add this connectivity solution to our growing military portfolio and look forward to supporting the system as it enters into service,” says Hayden Olson, Head of SD Government. “We are already receiving requests for demonstrations of the capabilities of the equipment to USAF representatives, such is the interest in the system.”

www.satcomdirect.com/government

Silvus Technologies and Kägwerks Unveil DOCK StreamCaster Family of Cutting-Edge Tactical Networking Systems

Wednesday, April 17th, 2024

Redefining Tactical Networking for Elite Operators

·        Operator Centric Design – Low SWaP profile, streamlined cabling and unified power reduces operator load-out

·        Powerfully Advanced Networking Performance– Seamlessly scale from tactical Personal Area Network to wide-area mesh networks connecting hundreds of nodes

·        Designed for the Universally Connected Warfighter – Integrated Samsung S23TE provides mission-ready mobility and powerful on-board processing with advanced security features

·        Soldier Worn AI – Select models feature powerful on-board NVIDIA Jetson Nano AI CPU providing flexible edge computing in any environment

·        Achieve Spectrum Dominance – Access an expansive suite of LPI/LPD and Anti-Jamming resiliency capabilities for secure and protected communications in contested environments

Los Angeles, California (April 16, 2024) – Silvus Technologies, Inc. (“Silvus”), a global leader in advanced wireless networking communication systems, and Kägwerks, a global leader in solutions for tactical operator-worn networking have joined forces to introduce DOCK (Dismounted Operator’s Combat Kit) StreamCaster, the next generation of Tactical Networking Systems.

Designed for the Universally Connected Warfighter, DOCK StreamCaster combines advanced StreamCaster MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Network) radios with Samsung’s S23TE EUDs (End User Device) in one fully integrated chest-mountable DOCK system. Compact and lightweight, each DOCK StreamCaster features a rugged, low SWaP profile and modular design, with streamlined cabling and unified power that reduces operator load-out while increasing mobility and mission effectiveness.

Integrated StreamCaster MANET radio delivers up to 4W native output power (8W effective power thanks to TX Eigen Beamforming) and up to 100 Mbps data rate, optimizing network efficiency for video, voice, and IP data communications. At the heart of every DOCK StreamCaster is Silvus’ proprietary MN-MIMO waveform technology that creates a self-forming and adaptive mesh network – capable of linking hundreds of nodes with unmatched range, throughput, EW resiliency and scalability. With available access to Silvus’ Spectrum Dominance expansive suite of Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD) and Anti-Jamming resiliency capabilities – DOCK StreamCaster provides operators with secure and protected communications in congested and contested environments.

Direct connection to Samsung’s S23TE (sold separately) provides mission-ready mobility with powerful on-board processing, advanced security, and exclusive MilSpec features. Built-in ATAK, Intra-Soldier Wireless and Nett Warrior connectivity empower operators with increased situational awareness and mission planning, with instant access to networked devices and soldier-worn peripherals. On select models, powerful on-board NVIDIA Jetson Nano AI module enables DOCK StreamCaster to create a common operational picture, delivering decision superiority at the tactical edge.  

“The DOCK StreamCaster represents a strategic fusion of Silvus’ advanced StreamCaster radios with Kägwerks’ expertise in developing top-tier dismount solutions for the elite operator,” said Jimi Henderson, Vice President of Sales for Silvus Technologies. “This collaboration elevates tactical communications, delivering unparalleled connectivity and situational awareness to empower our forces in the most demanding environments.”

“We’ve partnered with Silvus Technologies and its industry-leading MANET radio technology to provide today’s universally connected warfighter with a powerfully advanced networking solution that will increase their lethality and survivability in today’s dynamically changing battlespace,” said Niko Hughes, President of Kägwerks. “As the latest addition to the Kägwerks DOCK ecosystem, we’ve designed DOCK StreamCaster to be as modular and future forward as possible – to give operators the power and versatility they need to stay connected for mission success, no matter where it takes them.”

One tactical networking solution – multi-mission capabilities. The DOCK StreamCaster family of modular and scalable solutions include:

·        DOCK SC4240P – The most powerful DOCK Tactical Networking System available, with up to 4 Watts output power (8 Watts effective, thanks to TX Eigen Beamforming), and up to 100 Mbps of data throughput to support high bandwidth video, voice, and data communications.

·        DOCK ULTRA SL4210P – Designed for the Team Leader and individual warfighter with advanced MANET mesh networking capabilities, powerful on-board AI computing and edge processing capabilities.

·        DOCK SL4210P – Compact, lightweight, and powerfully connected with built-in Intra-Soldier Wireless network, it seamlessly scales from a tactical Personal Area Network to wide-area mesh networks connecting hundreds of nodes.

Lear more about the family of DOCK StreamCaster Tactical Networking Systems at www.silvustechnologies.com and kagwerks.com, and follow us on LinkedIn to get the latest news.