Spectra Group, a provider of secure communication systems, has secured a significant contract to supply the Irish Defence Force with Comtech’s Troposcatter Compact Over-the-Horizon Mobile Expeditionary Terminals (COMET).
This contract marks another milestone in Spectra Group’s distribution rights for Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS), which were granted in February 2024 (excluding the USA, Canada, and Mexico).
The COMET system is the latest addition to the growing portfolio of systems under this agreement, and the Irish Defence Force has already procured several units. More are planned, along with training and support packages, including the highly anticipated Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) enhancement.
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.”
Troposcatter technology harnesses the power of the troposphere (up to approximately 13 km altitude) to enable high-bandwidth communication. Unlike satellite communication, it operates independently of GPS/GNSS, making it highly valuable in GPS-denied environments, such as those encountered in Peer-on-Peer conflicts or Multi-Domain Integration. With its low latency and large data-handling capabilities, Troposcatter is ideal for both strategic and tactical headquarters, offering a versatile and cost-effective solution for modern defense operations.
Historically, Troposcatter systems were large, power-hungry, and impractical for expeditionary or maneuver warfare. However, Comtech’s significant advancements in technology have resulted in a dramatic reduction in size, weight, and power consumption. The COMET system is the smallest and most lightweight member of the Troposcatter FoS, making it uniquely suited for rapid deployment and mobile operations.
Designed for quick deployment and field operations, the COMET system offers remarkable performance with high bandwidth (5-60Mbps) and long-range connectivity (70+ km). Despite its compact size, it operates efficiently with just 10 Watts of power, making it the only low-power Troposcatter system on the market. Featuring a single 1-meter dish and the COMTECH CS67Plus modem (capable of up to 210Mbps), COMET provides dual-frequency/polarisation diversity, ensuring stable connectivity even in challenging environments.
The system is built to be portable and user-friendly. It can be set up and operational within 15 minutes and does not rely on expensive, vulnerable satellites. Its lightweight design means the entire system, packed in two small 25kg cases, can be easily transported on civilian aircraft if needed.
With its combination of high performance, ease of use, and low operational costs, COMET is set to enhance the Irish Defence Force’s communications capabilities, enabling rapid and reliable connectivity in even the most demanding environments.
Spectra Group will be showcasing their innovative communication solutions, including the COMET system, at the upcoming EnForce Tac event in Booth 7-360, with a display of the system at the JK Defence booth (10-521).
