Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, a specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, is extremely proud to announce the launch of their revolutionary new tactical radio communications solution, GENSS (pronounced genesis /j?n??-s?s), at the mobile deployable communications conference in London.

GENSS is a significant advancement in the field of tactical radio communications due to its modular core framework and software-defined flexibility. GENSS heralds a new era in communication technology, integrating multi-mission and multi-mode functionalities for robust battlefield connectivity, with modular design, open architecture, and unparalleled adaptability. It offers superior interoperability and is a comprehensive tactical radio solution for voice and data communication on the battlefield, to meet both today and tomorrow’s requirements.  

GENSS has been designed and developed collaboratively by experts in tactical communications with specialist military operational experience, and with some of the very best scientists and engineers in the UK. Together, they have redefined and further reconceived the parameters of what a tactical radio could or should be.  This innovative, agnostic, modular hardware radio system adapts through simple software reprogramming to meet the specific requirements of its varied user roles. GENSS is capable of operating across HF, VHF, UHF, and satellite bands (L-Ku) as required and its secure, high-capacity design is built to navigate Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) challenges, and facilitate Communications on the Move (COTM), offering a resilient agile solution for voice and high-bandwidth data transmission across all service platforms on Land, Sea and Air.

Secure by design, built using the highest possible specifications, 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. This revolutionary radio solution can stand alone or be integrated into any existing radio infrastructure, unleashing superior interoperability and flexibility to meet the demands of today and the future. It is simple to operate and configure, with an easy-to-programme user interface, resulting in an overall reduced training burden.  

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).  Through novel engineering techniques, voice and low data rate solutions can be applied in the contested communications space to minimise detection..  With the proliferation of MANET data solutions, routing through GENSS will enable the extension of data bubbles to facilitate rapid data management applications delivering timely tactical updates to strategic command locations.

Simon Davies, Chief Executive at Spectra Group said: “For many years my passion has been to create the ultimate radio, which is easy to use, lightweight, modular and supremely adaptable to meet the challenges of today and the demands of an everchanging military and technological landscape. After several years of painstaking development, I am very proud to launch GENSS today.  Building on years of experience, expertise and learning from our award-winning SlingShot systems, our team have designed every component with the end user in mind and the result is extremely exciting.   I believe GENSS’s utility is vast and employable beyond tactical military applications, and its ability to integrate into existing communications networks opens up a world of endless opportunities.”

It is a milestone for the implementation of the program “Digitalization of Land-based Operations” (Digitalisierung Landbasierte Operationen, D-LBO): Following laboratory tests, the digital communication platform TACTICAL CORE by military IT provider blackned has now also completed the final testing phase under combat-like conditions – and is now considered operational.

The digitalization of armed forces is developing at a high rate. As part of the program “Digitalization of Land-based operations” (D-LBO), the military IT provider blackned, based in Heimertingen in Swabia, was awarded a contract by the German Armed Forces in 2021 to develop a software for an effective network that connects all units involved on the battlefield. TACTICAL CORE, which consists of several software components, has now passed the final tests under combat-like conditions. Even after the first laboratory tests, feedback by the developer and the German Armed Forces was positive throughout. Thanks to its core feature, TACTICAL CORE is a significant part of the D-LBO program. “TACTICAL CORE therefore meets all the requirements to be put into operation”, says Timo Haas. The CEO of blackned is proud of his team that reliably developed the TACTICAL CORE communication system in such a short time span. “The software architects, the product managers, the project leaders, and the development team have all completed their tasks in a target-oriented, effective, and passionate manner. I would like to thank them.”

The superiority of armed forces is increasingly dependent on the availability of centrally hosted digital services that ensure the optimal exchange of data between all systems within the operation. “Software and artificial intelligence (AI) are critical enablers of modern military operations, lead the evolution towards multi-domain operations, enhance interoperability among allied forces, and support the achievement of information superiority and decision-advantage against adversaries”, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) writes in its report “Software-defined Defence: Algorithms at War” (February 2023). With a background in high-tech software and specialized military IT systems, Blackned GmbH is a leader in the development of communication and control systems that make Software-defined Defense (SDD) possible. TACTICAL CORE combines three software components. XONITOR is a monitoring and management tool, RIDUX ensures a reliable and efficient data and communication infrastructure, while the patented MeshFLOW system enables seamless connectivity, even when soldiers dynamically move across the battlefield. The Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI) has certified TACTICAL CORE’s data transfer for the highest security level “NATO Restricted” – proof of safe and authorized communication.

During the final functional tests, blackned and the Military Technical Center examined the operability in simulated deployment scenarios. During the tests, units consisting of vehicles and personnel used TACTICAL CORE in combat-like conditions. “The collaboration with the Military Technical Center and the German Armed Forces was a success, and the results of these tests are an important step forwards for the D-LBO program”, comments Haas.

The main challenge during the development of TACTICAL CORE was the multitude of systems that are deployed on the battlefield, the outermost tactical regions, and in operational command centers. The interaction and exchange of data, or the communication between analog radios with digital devices such as smartphones, is only possible with the help of an interoperable IT network. Similarly, joint operations between different units and armed forces, as well as the use of an increasing amount of digital equipment, technologies, and systems, has created an IT complexity that necessitates effective interoperability to exchange data in an expedient and safe manner. This is what TACTICAL CORE is capable of.