Armada’s monthly roundup of all the latest news in the military communications product, programme and operational domains.
TRASC Certification
In early February, SD Government announced it had received T-1 certification for the company’s Tactical Removable Airborne Satellite Communications (TRASC) system to equip the United States Air Force’s (USAF) Lockheed Martin C-130H/J turboprop airlifters.
TRASC is a roll-on/roll-off Satellite Communications (SATCOM) system providing Ku-band (14 gigahertz/GHz uplink/10.9GHz to 12.75GHz downlink) connectivity. There is growth potential to expand this provision to include Ka-band (26.5GHz to 40GHz uplink/18GHz to 20GHz downlink) channels.
According to a company press release, the TRASC architecture can be installed onboard a C-130 series aircraft in under 30 minutes. In addition to the USAF, SD Government is aiming TRASC at C-130 operators in US sister services and allied militaries. T-1 certification means that TRASC can be immediately implemented on C-130 aircraft “without the need of duplicative testing” according to a company statement provided to Armada. Moreover, “(t)he certified configuration initially supports Ku-band connectivity using geostationary satellites, with Ka-band capability approved for subsequent integration”. Beyond Ku-band and Ka-band provision “(t)he certification … allows for additional network compatibilities to be incorporated, giving operators the flexibility to adopt future SATCOM architectures as mission requirements evolve”.
Silvus Unveils Streamcaster Mini 5200
Silvus Technologies has unveiled a new Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radio known as the Streamcaster Mini 5200. According to the company the new radio, which uses a host of frequencies between 1.35 gigahertz up to five gigahertz, can handle data at rates of up to 100 megabits-per-second. When using beamforming, the radio provides up to four watts of transmission power, according to the company’s official information.
Channel bandwidths of five, ten and 20 megahertz/MHz are standard, with bandwidths of 2.5MHz and 25MHz being optional. Integral communications and transmission security provision include the United States’ Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-3 and Advanced Encryption Standard-256 protocols. The radio also includes Silvus Technologies’ Mobile Networked Multiple-In Multiple-Out waveform.
According to a statement provided to Armada by the company, the Streamcaster Mini 2500 has an ultra-compact form factor that expands its “portfolio to meet the needs of covert operations and dismounted users who require a minimal footprint without sacrificing link robustness”. The statement continued that the radio seamlessly connects with over 550 nodes and weighs 182 grams (0.4 pounds). Deliveries of the Streamcaster Mini 5200 will commence this May and Silvus Technologies is currently in the test and evaluation stage with “several units and agencies across the globe”.
by Dr. Thomas Withington
