US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
Radio Tactics will demonstrate a prototype of its Athena intelligence system integrated with ITT's SpearNet radio at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) exposition in Washington DC next month.
Addressing the needs for a next-generation system for sensitive site exploitation (SSE), Radio Tactics' Athena in-field data extraction tablet will be capable of wider networking back to tactical operations centres for example.
SSE has become a vital tool in the capability of special operations and conventional forces around the world looking to fully exploit intelligence found during missions to capture high-value targets for example. Sources told Shephard that it is likely US Navy Seals would have conducted such an operation during Operation Neptune's Spear to capture Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Athena allows forces to extract and process communication and positioning information from GPS, satellite handsets, phones and other portable devices. As company literature explained: 'Athena gives forces the power to capture evidence and link a potential suspect with an event, location or incident, for example in the placement of an improvised explosive device.'
Speaking to Shephard at DSEi in London, Radio Tactics CEO Andy Gill said there were requirements for 'more rounded solutions and integrating seamlessly information on the battlefield'. This, he continued, could include fusion with biometrics measuring equipment and rapid computer triage of information available.
'We are working on a demonstration for AUSA in which we are tethering Athena's capability to SpearNet to increase situation awareness. There is a big push in the US because they are still active in a number of theatres on operations.
'In addition, the [UK] MoD and British Army are actively seeking information in this area,' he continued.
To date, Radio Tactics has supplied the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with more than a hundred Athena systems which Gill added, had been used on operations in Afghanistan and most likely, East Timor. He said the ADF's concept of operations saw both conventional and special forces using the equipment although he could not go into further details.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.