Spectra Group Awarded Contract to Supply Irish Defence Force with COMET Troposcatter Systems

Spectra Group Secures Key Contract with the Irish Defence Force

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, the specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems, has announced a contract award to supply the Irish Defence Force with Comtech’s Troposcatter Compact Over-the Horizon Mobile Expeditionary Terminals (COMET).  Spectra Group acquired the global distribution rights to supply Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS) in February 2024 (less USA, Canada and Mexico which Comtech retains).  This procurement is the next in a series of overseas sales under this agreement.

COMET Troposcatter: Enhancing Strategic and Tactical Communications

The Irish Defence Force has procured a number of COMET systems, with more systems and the associated training and support package in the pipeline, including aspirations to deploy the new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) enhancement; more news on this exciting new capability coming soon.   Spectra Group is attending EnForce Tac in Booth 7-360 showcasing their specific communication capabilities, including GENSS.  Troposcatter COMET will also be on display at the JK Defence booth (10-521).

The Advantages of Tropospheric Scatter Technology

Tropospheric scatter is a communications capability that uses the Troposphere (up to about 13km altitude) to provide high bandwidth communications. It is satellite independent and works in a GPS/GNSS denied environment, so is suitable for use in a Peer-on-Peer conflict/Multi Domain Integration. Troposcatter inherently has very low latency and can provide huge bandwidth, enabling analysis and manipulation of large data, which combined with its low operating cost makes it suitable for strategic and tactical headquarters. In the past, Troposcatter technology required large power-hungry equipment unsuitable for expeditionary or manoeuvre warfare. However, modern technology and significant development by Comtech has revolutionised the size, weight and power of the Troposcatter Family of Systems, of which, COMET is the smallest and most lightweight.

COMET: A Lightweight, High-Bandwidth, Low-Power Communications Solution

COMET is specifically designed for rapid deployments and mobile operations, delivering high bandwidth (5-60Mbps) and long-range connectivity (70km+) while operating efficiently with just 10 Watts of power—currently the only low-power Troposcatter system available. The COMET system uses a single 1-metre dish and the COMTECH CS67Plus Modem capable of up to 210Mbps, which takes the IP stream and directly converts to two RF outputs in the range 4.4-5Ghz to provide two frequencies, amplified by Dual 10W GaN amps (Dual LNA on the receive path). This allows for dual frequency/polarisation diversity that compensates for any fading/multi-path effects and ensures low latency (typically 9-20mS). In suitable conditions, the bandwidth, range and data transfer speeds can be much greater than specified. The COMET system is simple, intuitive, and easy to set up and does not require the use of vulnerable and expensive satellites. It has been developed to be man-portable and the whole system can be established and operational within 15 minutes. The COMET system comes packed in two small cases (25kg each) that can be transported on civilian aircraft if required.

Michael Davies, Business Development Manager at Spectra Group said:

“This is a continuation of what we hope to be many procurements under our Troposcatter global distribution agreement with Comtech.

We have been working closely with the Irish Defence Force for some time to find suitable solutions to their strategic communications challenges and help meet their national defence commitments.

With many NATO countries already operating Troposcatter systems, COMET is the perfect solution for its reliability, capacity, deployability and interoperability both on the land and for maritime vessels.”