British Military Innovates: SlingShot Special Forces Satellite Tech Now Empowering Regular Troops

Spectra Group is a globally acclaimed expert provider of secure voice, data, and satellite communication systems, specifically tailored for use in isolated and demanding environments, with offices located in the UK and the USA. Recently, the British Armed Forces have revealed that they have outfitted regular Army units with Spectra Group’s SlingShot system as they engage in Operations and Exercises, facilitating tactical satellite communications throughout the operational area.

Spectra Group’s SlingShot system stands out because it can seamlessly integrate with currently deployed UHF and VHF tactical communication systems, extending the operational range of tactical radios from 30km to over 1000km while on the move, regardless of conditions. By linking SlingShot and the L-TAC satellite service with the UK’s line-of-sight VHF BOWMAN radios, deployed personnel gain immediate communications capabilities that would typically be restricted to more specialized units. Beyond offering Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) voice communication, SlingShot features a data functionality supporting vital applications such as: situational awareness tools; GPS tracking; reporting; and other data messaging without the need for ground-based line-of-sight re-broadcasting infrastructure. Voice and data transmissions remain encrypted ‘end to end’ using BOWMAN’s own cryptographic measures to secure communications via the already battle-tested SlingShot system. Enhancing BOWMAN with the durable SlingShot system also means that troops no longer need to carry both BOWMAN radios (for line-of-sight) and UHF TACSAT radios (for strategic rear link). Now, both functionalities can be executed using a single radio. Lastly, the omni-directional antennas utilized with SlingShot offer manpack, land, sea, and air platforms, providing real-time Communications on the Move (COTM) rather than Communications on the Pause, a common drawback with traditional TACSAT.

Major General Jonathan Cole, Director of Information and CIO of the British Army stated: “SlingShot is a remarkable enhancement to our communications arsenal, providing essential capability to deployed troops. Notably, the training requirement is minimal as the system acts as an effective ‘bolt-on’ to our current BOWMAN radios. SlingShot is a transformative solution that enables our forces to operate at greater distances without the additional necessity to deploy more personnel for rebroadcast capabilities at Battle Group level and below. I am thrilled to be collaborating with Spectra on the implementation of such a critical capability.”

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group remarked: “We have already witnessed SlingShot evolve into a battle-proven and decisive advantage utilized by Special Forces across the world, and we are excited to see our SlingShot system now being operationally deployed by more conventional forces for the first time.” He continued: “The remarkable aspect of SlingShot is its ability to be easily ‘plugged into’ any operational tactical radio system. The UK has pioneered this approach for SlingShot integration, and we are now observing other national forces, including the USA, embrace a similar strategy to address every Beyond Line of Sight communications challenge.”