Spectra’s SlingShot greenlit for US Army

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, having recently achieved safety accreditation from the US Army Test and Evaluation Command and completed the prestigious US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments (AEWE 2019), will be exhibiting their game-changing SlingShot communications system at DSEi 2019, taking place at Excel London 10-13 September 2019.

Spectra’s SlingShot, which was recently awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, is a unique, lightweight system that enables existing, in-service tactical military and commercial VHF/UHF radios to utilise commercial L-band satellite coverage (COMSATCOM). The technology delivers Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Comms on the Move (COTM) with low-latency voice and data connectivity to radio networks for ground, vehicle, maritime and airborne platforms.  SlingShot’s unique capability provides reliable, secure communications between widely dispersed military forces and/or civilian agencies operating in austere and hostile environments, without the cost, delay or logistical challenges of deploying additional infrastructure.

Invited to take part in AEWE 2019 by the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), SlingShot has been identified for integration opportunities into the US Army to gap battlefield capability shortfalls.  AEWE places cutting-edge technologies into the hands of soldiers, providing bottom-up input to capability development through early and iterative feedback in a tactical setting. During AEWE 2019 SlingShot was extensively evaluated, providing BLOS voice and data connectivity from manpack recce sections to fast-moving, vehicle-borne forward observers and headquarters operations rooms.  Additionally, vital interoperability between VHF/UHF commercial and military radios was repeatedly proven in a number of operationally challenging scenarios.

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “Spectra is delighted to be exhibiting at DSEi 2019.  We intend to maximize this fantastic opportunity to establish and deepen relationships with government departments, defence and security agencies and international businesses.” He added, “Launched in 2013, over 2000 SlingShot systems are now in operation with US SOCCOM alone. The system is used by over 20 different organisations, mostly NATO countries. Our recent participation in AEWE 2019 has cemented SlingShot’s reputation as the system of choice for tactical radio users needing increased range, flexibility and interoperability.”

Spectra will be showcasing the SlingShot tactical communications range extension system on Stand N9-370