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SlingShot delivers rapid secure communications in challenging environments where there is no or limited telecommunications infrastructure. This is a challenge for any organisation who require a reliable voice and low data network to communicate between users.
Traditional UHF TACSAT channels are expensive and there is limited capacity, only available for high priority end users. An alternative solution is to use Inmarsat’s L-TAC channels for dispersed users and commanders in challenging environments for maximum flexibility as the situation changes.
SlingShot is a small, lightweight external appliqué that interfaces with existing in service or commercial radio solutions. Seamless integration and minimum user intervention makes Slingshot an ideal COTS solutions for challenging environments. Slingshot is transparent to the UHF or VHF radio network, so any inbuilt encryption can still be utilised by the end user.
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The end-to-end radio architecture is illustrated in the above slide and customer radios.
Radio
VHF or UHF tactical or Public Mobile Radios are seamlessly integrated into Slingshot using an RF cable. Radios are still using their own encryption providing a secure link over the L-TAC network via SlingShot. The radio has to be configured to a desired frequency channel for interoperability with SlingShot and the correct power setting.
Slingshot System
The radio is connected to the SlingShot Appliqué with the RF cable that is supplied. The appliqué converts the incoming frequency channel(s) to the up and down link channels to operate over the L-TAC network. A power supply unit powers the Appliqué device. Another RF cable is used to attach the L-Band antenna to the Appliqué.
L-TAC Services
Enables global coverage using Imarsat-4 constellation of satellites extending the reach of the UHF or VHF radio network.
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L-TAC service provided by Inmarsat utilises the I-4 IP constellation of satellites. The IP functionality of I-4 is not utilised with L-TAC, instead a channel is provided for the uplink and downlink to extend the UHF/VHF radio network between users. Each satellite provides a footprint and the size depends on which beam has been selected either Regional or Narrow for a given L-TAC service. When coverage for these two beam options does not give the necessary user coverage, then customised beams can be provisioned for users dispersed over large geographical areas to give task specific coverage.
The L-TAC service is flexible providing short term contracts from one month only, allowing communications services on a ad-hoc basis. Spectra has a working partnership with Inmarsat and a fully flexible airtime plan has been developed for L-TAC. A leased service using the I-4 constellation means that a customer has a proven reliable service and quality of service for their communications needs.
Each L-Band channel has a 25KHz bandwidth which can be further sub-divided into five 5KHz channels. In this scenario the user radio has to have ANDVT mode switched on .
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Each satellite has regional and spot beam coverage. Every beam be that regional or spot beam has got its own number to identify it when ordering L-TAC services to determine customer coverage requirements.
It is possible to have spot beams allocated on different satellites and use the C-Band downlink to the Satellite Ground Station to interlink between different satellites.
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Depending on if a Narrow (Spot) or Regional beam is selected the landmass coverage is shown. The difference between the two types of beams is a Regional approximately gives double the area coverage.
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In addition customised beams covering specific area of operations will be available for lease, subject to the resources being available on the constellation when ordered.
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Two beams are interfaced together to give a greater area of coverage to increase the footprint. Although coverage is non-contiguous if users are widely dispersed and there is no need for contiguous coverage this could be an option for L-TAC services.
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The UHF Military band Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué is distinguished by it colour black and there is no heat sink on the sides. The part number is SG-SS-1001 and approved name UHF-Military band –Vehicular and Maritime (UHF-M-VMT).
It converts the incomings frequency channels in the UHF band to L-Band for transmission over the I-4 Constellation.
The Power Amplifier for the uplink and Low Noise Amplifier are housed in the Antenna; this is why there are no heat sink on the sides to dissipate the heat.
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The UHF Military band Manpack Appliqué is distinguished by it colour black and there is heat sink on the sides. The part number is SG-SS-1002 and approved name is UHF-Military band –Manpack (UHF-M-M).
It converts the incomings frequency channels in the UHF band to L-Band for transmission over the I-4 Constellation.
Housed inside the Manpack Appliqué is the Power Amplifier for the uplink this is why heat sink is used on the side to dissipate the heat. On the downlink from the I-4 Constellation the Low Noise Amplifier is housed in the antenna.
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The VHF Military band Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué is distinguished by it colour green and there is no heat sink on the sides. The part number is SG-SS-1003 and approved name is VHF-M-VMT.
It converts the incomings frequency channels in the VHF band to L-Band for transmission over the I-4 Constellation.
The Power Amplifier for the uplink and Low Noise Amplifier are housed in the Antenna this is why there are no heat sink on the sides to dissipate the heat.
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The VHF Military Band Manpack Appliqué is distinguished by it colour green and there is heat sink on the sides. The part number is SG-SS-1004 and approved name is VHF-M-M.
It converts the incomings frequency channels in the VHF band to L-Band for transmission over the I-4 Constellation.
Housed inside the Manpack Appliqué is the Power Amplifier for the uplink this is why heat sink is used on the side to dissipate the heat. On the downlink from the I-4 Constellation the Low Noise Amplifier is housed in the antenna.
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The VHF Commercial band Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué is distinguished by it colour grey and there is no heat sink on the sides. The part number is SG-SS-1005 and approved name is VHF- Commercial band-Vehicular/Maritime (VHF-C-VMT).
It converts the incomings frequency channels in the VHF band to L-Band for transmission over the I-4 Constellation.
The Power Amplifier for the uplink and Low Noise Amplifier are housed in the Antenna this is why there are no heat sink on the sides to dissipate the heat.
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The VHF Commercial band Manpack Appliqué is distinguished by it colour grey and there is heat sink on the sides. The part number is SG-SS-1006 and approved name is VHF – Commercial band – Manpack (VHF-C-M).
It converts the incomings frequency channels in the VHF band to L-Band for transmission over the I-4 Constellation.
Housed inside the Manpack Appliqué is the Power Amplifier for the uplink this is why heat sink is used on the side to dissipate the heat. On the downlink from the I-4 Constellation the Low Noise Amplifier is housed in the antenna.
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All antennas within the SlingShot range have omni-directional propagation , so making the system mobile. Inside the antenna is the Power Amplifier and Low Noise Amplifier.
There is a magnetic mount that can be removed from the base of the antenna, by removing the screws. This then allows access to the SMA connector for connection to the Appliqué. Use the right angled SMA connector on coax cable for the antenna.
Replace the magnetic plate if required to attach to metal surface.
Part Number SG-SS-2001B . PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VERSION OF THIS ANTENNA IS GREY IN COLOUR
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The Manpack antenna has the smallest form factor of the SlingShot range of antennas. Housed inside is the Low Noise Amplifier. The LNA is powered via the coax cable from the Appliqué. At the base of the antenna there is a BNC connector for the coax cable and screwed thread for mounting on a pole.
Part Number SG-SS-2003.
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Antenna unit Manpack can be attached to the antenna mounting system extendable. It allows for the antenna unit to be extended by pulling down the strap exposing the extension pole. When not required the strap pulls back the antenna unit reducing the signature of signaller and makes for a better mobile antenna solution.
Antenna mounting system – extendable Part Number SG-SS-5005.
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All antennas within the SlingShot range have omni-directional propagation , so making the system mobile. Inside the antenna is the Power Amplifier and Low Noise Amplifier.
There is a magnetic mount that can be removed from the base of the antenna, by removing the screws. This then allows access to the SMA connector for connection to the Appliqué. Use the right angled SMA connector on coax cable for the antenna.
Replace the magnetic plate if required to attach to metal surface.
Part Number SG-SS-2002.
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All antennas within the SlingShot range have omni-directional propagation , so making the system mobile. Inside the antenna is the Power Amplifier and Low Noise Amplifier.
Part Number SG-SS-2006
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All antennas within the SlingShot range have omni-directional propagation , so making the system mobile. Inside the antenna is the Low Noise Amplifier.
Part Number SG-SS-2004.
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The PSU has LED’s to show the user the condition or state of the Slingshot system. There are two connectors for power in and out. 12 or 24VDC in either directly from a DC supply or using an AC/DC converter.
Part Number PSU Vehicular/Maritime SG-SS-3001. PLEASE NOTE THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
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The Power Supply Unit Universal has been designed to meet the requirement to be able to power Manpack from mains and Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué from batteries.
For battery supply to Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué 2590/5590 battery adaptor is used and is connected using the Bulgin 2 way . Part Number SG-SS-3002
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Used in conjunction with PSU to allow the Vehicular PSU to be able to run from mains power supply.
Product code SG-S3-3004.
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The 2590/5590 battery cap uses standard rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries that are typically 12-24VDC (14.4-28.8VDC) Li-Ion type cells, with a nominal capacity between 7.5-15Ah, depending on manufacturer and type. Two 12V cells can be combined to provide the 24VDC capability.
Battery power cable length comes in 0.5 meters
Part Numbers : SG-SS-3009-0.5
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The battery cap uses MBTR/152 Batteries are 10.8-12V DC Li-Ion type cells, with a nominal capacity between 5.8-6.4Ah, depending on manufacturer and type.
Product Code: SG-SS-3010-0.5
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Double A batteries are inserted into the battery cassette. Allowing for flexible battery supply options to power Manpack Appliqué. Inside the cassette it houses 8 x AA batteries.
At the top of the AA battery cassette a three toggle switch for off, test and on are selectable. Also 4 x LED’s to display the current operational status and trouble shooting are provided.
A 630mm lead with Lemo connector attaches the AA battery cassette to Manpack Appliqué.
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The example above gives all the current permutations available with SlingShot. Depending on the user application either Vehicular/Marine or Manpack and radio frequency bandwidth within the VHF or UHF spectrum the correct SlingShot Appliqué is needed.
To identify which is the correct Appliqué the Manpack version has heat sink and the Vehicular/Marine version does not. For frequency channel selection both versions are colour coded:
• Black Military UHF.
• Green Military VHF.
• Grey Commercial VHF.
For the Vehicular/Marine Appliqué there are three options for antennas either L-Band Vehicular, L-Band Maritime or Low Profile. All Antennas are omni-directional.
With the Manpack version Appliqué these is one L-Band Manpack Antenna.
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Having the Universal Power Supply Unit gives the flexibility to use mains power supply or battery supply for the Vehicular/Maritime appliqué .
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There are three battery options using the MBTR/152, 2590/5590 or AA and mains supply via the Universal Power Supply Unit.
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The radio power output has to be configured between 2 to 4 Watts. The UHF bandwidth tolerance for the UHF Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué are:
• Tx 281 to 311MHz
• Rx 240 to 270 MHz
The UHF radio has to be set for duplex operation with a Tx and Rx frequency channel as if it was being used with a UHF Repeater. Conversation to L-Band takes place in the Appliqué and then transmitted via the L-Band Omni-directional antenna.
Depending on the DC supply being either 12V or 24V the draw is 1.5A for the former and 0.8A for the latter.
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The radio power output has to be configured between 2 to 4 Watts. The UHF bandwidth tolerance of UHF Military Manpack Appliqué are:
• Tx 281 to 311MHz
• Rx 240 to 270 MHz
The UHF radio has to be set for duplex operation with a Tx and Rx frequency channel as if it was being used with a UHF Repeater. Conversation to L-Band takes place in the Appliqué and then transmitted via the L-Band Omni-directional antenna.
For the Manpack portable option two battery caps can be utilised to use SlingShot. The MBTR/152 allows attachment of 10.8 to 12V Li-Ion type cells which have a capacity of 5.8 to 6.4Ah depending on manufacture and type.
To increase SlingShot operating time a 2590/5590 battery can give a nominal capacity of 7.5-15Ah. Two batteries can be combined to give 24VDC.
A Battery Cassette with LEMO connector gives the option to use AA batteries.
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The Universal Power Supply Unit provides direct DC or mains via mains converter.
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The VHF Military Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué requires an input from 3 to 10 Watts. A simplex channel is now required to be set on the radio which is different from the UHF system that used a duplex channel. There is a 30MHz bandwidth separation between the lower and upper frequency range 58 to 88MHz for the Military VHF band. Although one channel is set for the input it will allocate two channels Tx/Rx for onward transmission on Inmarsat L-Band to the I-4 satellite constellation.
On the receive channel from I-4 satellite L-TAC service the two antennas have low noise amplifiers to increase power towards the Appliqué.
Three options are available for power supply either an AC/DC mains adapter, direct DC input or battery. The current draw is 1.5A at 12V or 0.8A at 24V DC.
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The VHF Military Manpack Appliqué requires an input from 3 to 10 Watts. A simplex channel is now required to be set on the radio which is different from the UHF system that used a duplex channel. There is a 30MHz bandwidth seperation between the lower and upper frequency range 58 to 88MHz for the Military VHF band. Although one channel is set for the input it will allocate two channels Tx/Rx for onward transmission on Inmarsat L-Band to the I-4 satellite constellation.
On the receive channel from I-4 satellite L-TAC service amplification takes place in the Appliqué.
Battery options are the MBTR/152, 2590/5590 or AA as per the UHF Military Manpack option. The new Universal Power Supply also gives the option of mains or direct DC.
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The VHF Commercial Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué requires an input from 3 to 10 Watts. A simplex channel is now required to be set on the radio which is different from the UHF system that used a duplex channel. There is a 30MHz bandwidth separation between the lower and upper frequency range 144 to 174MHz for the Commercial VHF band. Although one channel is set for the input it will allocate two channels Tx/Rx for onward transmission on Inmarsat L-Band to the I-4 satellite constellation.
On the receive channel from I-4 satellite L-TAC service the two antennas have low noise amplifiers to increase power towards the Appliqué.
Three options are available for power supply either an AC/DC mains adapter , direct DC input or Battery Adaptor. The current draw is 1.5A at 12V or 0.8A at 24V DC.
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The VHF Commercial Manpack Appliqué requires an input from 3 to 10 Watts. A simplex channel is now required to be set on the radio which is different from the UHF system that used a duplex channel. There is a 30MHz bandwidth separation between the lower and upper frequency range 144 to 174MHz for the Commercial VHF band. Although one channel is set for the input it will allocate two channels Tx/Rx for onward transmission on Inmarsat L-Band to the I-4 satellite constellation.
On the receive channel from I-4 satellite L-TAC service amplification takes place in the Appliqué.
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The Aviation Walk-on System houses the Universal Power Supply Unit, manpack appliqué and Aviation antenna.
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The Vehicle Walk-on System houses the UPSU and vehicular/maritime appliqué with the option of either vehicular or Low Profile antenna.
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There are two types of walk-on fits in the Slingshot range Aviation and Vehicle.
The Aviation uses the Manpack Appliqué plus Universal Power Supply Unit and the Vehicle uses the Vehicular/Maritime Appliqué plus UPSU.
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On the base of Vehicular antenna remove the magnetic mounting plate to locate SMA connector for coax connection. Secure SMA connector to antenna port marked ISAT and attach to Appliqué SMA connector .
Coax lengths from Applique to Antenna are 2 Meters
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Using the supplied coax cable attach the BNC connector to Manpack antenna and at the other end to Appliqué SMA connector.
Coax lengths from Applique to Antenna are either 1.2 or 2 meters in length.
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Using the supplied coax cable attach the TNC connector to the Aviation antenna and at the other end to Appliqué SMA connector.
Coax length from Applique to Antenna is 4 meters.
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Finally on the RF side of SlingShot the radio is connected to the Appliqué. Make sure the coax cable has the correct connector type for the radio being used. The Appliqué has a TNC connector for the connection via coax cable to radio.
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On the output port of PSU connect power cable to Appliqué LEMO connector.
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Using the PSU there are two options either AC/DC adapter or direct DC using 12V. The power source is connected to the PSU input side.
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Using the LEMO connector on the battery cap line up the red line on the two connectors to secure to Appliqué.
Batteries are not supplied as part of the SlingShot system. Any battery requirements must be sourced from an independent battery supply specialist.
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Lease Authorisation issued by Spectra gives all the parameters required to enable the L-TAC service using SlingShot. It gives the Satellite and beam number showing the coverage for that particular beam.
The start and finish time for the leased L-TAC service with the input frequencies for VHF or UHF into radio. The Appliqué will then off-set automatically to the L-Band channels to be used on the I-4 constellation.
Power output from satellite with peak middle of beam and minimum on edge plus nominal is given as an E.I.R.P in dBm.
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Lease Authorisation issued by Inmarsat gives all the parameters required to enable the L-TAC service using SlingShot. It gives the Satellite and beam number showing the coverage for that particular beam.
The start and finish time for the leased L-TAC service with the input frequencies for VHF or UHF into radio. The Appliqué will then off-set automatically to the L-Band channels to be used on the I-4 constellation.
Power output from satellite with peak middle of beam and minimum on edge plus nominal is given as an E.I.R.P in dBm.
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Once the customer has the Lease Authorisation they can now configure their radio. Setting the channel bandwidth (Wide) 25KHz or sub channels if using ANDVT. To secure the radio link fill radio with the current crypto fill or if a commercial radio set encryption settings via software.
Then input frequencies as per Lease Agreement and refer to the latest specification sheet for the Appliqué to determine power setting.
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Attenuation of the propagated signal must only be from free space loss, so no obstacles should obscure the signal from the antenna to the satellite. Radiation from the antenna is omni-directional allowing for the SlingShot system to be used on the move. All antennas operate in the L-Band frequency range and are designed to be used with Inmarsat-4 services.
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PSU/Batter Cap
Turn on the PSU and wait for the two green LED to indicate that
Battery Cap
When the switch is in the test position the LED’s are on and in the on position LED’s are off.
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If you radio has an LCD display to indicate Rx signal strength check to see if there is a small amount of Rx power.
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To transmit over the I-4 constellation press PTT button on radio. The Appliqué orange LED will light to show the radio is transmitting. Both the green LED’s should remain illuminated as in step two.
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Once the appliqué has been set-up and a power supply is connected check power leads or replace PSU. If using a battery cap for Manpack if switch is in the On position No LED’s will be lit move switch to Test.
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The PSU will indicate if it can not see the Appliqué , cable or antenna fault. If there is a fault check the connection from Appliqué to antenna; if it does not rectify replace cable, antenna or Appliqué.
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When the orange LED is on to show that the radio is transmitting and the left-hand LED goes out this could be a faulty cable or antenna. Replace coax first and if fault persists change antenna.
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The red LED will illuminate if the power setting on radio is exceeding the maximum power setting for the Appliqué. Change power setting on radio to stop the overload LED from lighting.
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If there is no indication that the SlingShot or L-TAC service is at fault and there is no communication to radio via Inmarsat I-4 then check radios. The channel setting could be incorrect, mode, power or crypto. Try to use the radios without the L-TAC service to see if communications are successful. When using UHF one of the radios will need the channels reversed as duplex channels are used.
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The red light will start to flash if the battery requires replacing.
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Utilising a single beam with the L-TAC network an all informed radio network can be established. One user is transmitting and the other users within the coverage area of the footprint of the L-TAC service receive the voice or low data message. To extend this on the C-band downlink to ground station a fixed infrastructure could backhaul messages from the L-TAC service back to customer site. At present this service has not been tested.
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For highly dispersed users under the same satellite two beams are used to give a SBLOS all informed network. A user in one beam can transmit and this is relayed on the satellite to the second beam.
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In Scenario 3 the two beams are on different satellites. The two satellites are interconnected from the C-Band link to ground station which gives an all informed SBLOS network between all users within the two L-TAC beams.
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A VHF Network is interconnect via L-TAC service using SlingShot. Both Land and Sea HQ are now interconnected using their existing in-service radios. The maritime Antenna is used on ship but with the same Applique/PSU as in the land set-up.
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Extending the L-TAC service using SlingShot commanders have SBLOS for real-time voice communications with troops on the ground. An all informed network on the move from the omni-directional antennas allows for minimal user intervention to establish communications.
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The L-TAC can easily be extended as the tempo of the deployment increases. Now land forces are included into the all informed SBLOS network. In this case a Rebro VHF network has been established using a separate frequency for the ground troops and then interfaced via an in service VHF Rebro using another frequency which is connected to the SlingShot Appliqué. Now any user using the L-TAC service in any location will be re-broadcast onto the F2 frequency channel to the deployed landing troops.
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SlingShot has the capability to operate in a variety of bandwidths in the UHF and VHF bands. As long as the radio has FM modulation or ANVDT and can be configured within the frequency bands of the SlingShot Appliqué - making the system radio agnostic. All systems within SlingShot come with an omni-directional antenna allowing for sustained communications on the move and no need to stop to deploy an antenna.
Different systems options within SlingShot allow for multiple applications such as man portable or Vehicular or maritime giving access to the I-4 Inmarsat constellation on land and sea.
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The I-4 constellation is a proven worldwide reliable satellite network that can provide land, maritime and aviation connectivity. There are flexible beam options depending on how dispersed users are to use voice and low data communications. Connectivity can be relayed between satellites and multiple beams to give the required operational coverage. Different airtime leasing options make for effective pricing plans.
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A UHF or VHF PMR network has limited coverage due to the power output of radios and radio line of sight between radios, which is dependent on radio environment. Extended coverage needs planning with additional repeater locations and interconnectivity between repeaters. If microwave is used, Line of Sight or Near Line of Sight is required between repeater sites. A path profile analyses using a planning tool and digital map data for the planning stage of the PMR network is needed. Even site surveys, to make sure that the microwave network is workable is best practise when designing a reliable microwave network. All this takes time to plan and install especially in challenging environments, whereby SlingShot/L-TAC can deliver coverage for a wide area without the need for any infrastructure or expertise to plan network coverage.
All network hardware requires high points and locations need to be physically secure to guarantee network availability. Power will be required, all this can be very challenging if network coverage is in a remote location, or in a hostile country, or after a natural disaster. Using the I-4 constellation with L-TAC means that coverage can be turned on without the need to worry about power/location sites.
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A UHF or VHF PMR network has limited coverage due to the power output of radios and radio line of sight between radios, which is dependent on radio environment. Extended coverage needs planning with additional repeater locations and interconnectivity between repeaters. If microwave is used, Line of Sight or Near Line of Sight is required between repeater sites. A path profile analyses using a planning tool and digital map data for the planning stage of the PMR network is needed. Even site surveys, to make sure that the microwave network is workable is best practise when designing a reliable microwave network. All this takes time to plan and install especially in challenging environments, whereby SlingShot/L-TAC can deliver coverage for a wide area without the need for any infrastructure or expertise to plan network coverage.
All network hardware requires high points and locations need to be physically secure to guarantee network availability. Power will be required, all this can be very challenging if network coverage is in a remote location, or in a hostile country, or after a natural disaster. Using the I-4 constellation with L-TAC means that coverage can be turned on without the need to worry about power/location sites.
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An airborne platform gives quick network coverage, but is limited by the flying altitude and power output of repeater within aircraft. This resource has to be flown to where ever network coverage is required, not like L-TAC which gives Global Coverage via the I-4 constellation. Availability is difficult when dealing with aircraft as of flight times/aircraft maintenance and especially other taskings if an aircraft has multiple rolls. Using an airborne platform is an expensive resource just for an airborne repeater only.
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An airborne platform gives quick network coverage, but is limited by the flying altitude and power output of repeater within aircraft. This resource has to be flown to where ever network coverage is required, not like L-TAC which gives Global Coverage via the I-4 constellation. Availability is difficult when dealing with aircraft as of flight times/aircraft maintenance and especially other taskings if an aircraft has multiple rolls. Using an airborne platform is an expensive resource just for an airborne repeater only.
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HF networks can be very challenging and require skilled engineers to operate them successfully to maintain network connectivity. Coverage for HF networks depends on power output and antenna type. This means the operator needs to have excellent propagation know-how and understand how the dynamically changing radio environment effects coverage. Although HF is a rapid deployment solution, network availability can be difficult unlike the high availability of the Inmarsat I-4 constellation.
Slingshot interfaces easily with customer’s radios and is radio agnostic. Minimum user training is needed with little operator expertise, so no specialist engineer is required to operate system.
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HF networks can be very challenging and require skilled engineers to operate them successfully to maintain network connectivity. Coverage for HF networks depends on power output and antenna type. This means the operator needs to have excellent propagation know-how and understand how the dynamically changing radio environment effects coverage. Although HF is a rapid deployment solution, network availability can be difficult unlike the high availability of the Inmarsat I-4 constellation.
Slingshot interfaces easily with customer’s radios and is radio agnostic. Minimum user training is needed with little operator expertise, so no specialist engineer is required to operate system.
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UHF tactical satellite (TACSAT) capability is a scarce resource that eludes many end users due to high demand and cost. As a technology it creates a Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Push-to-talk (PTT) network using tactical radios on land, maritime and aviation platforms.
For militaries worldwide there are many benefits TACSAT access provides; extended range, minimal effects of terrain on signal quality, no ground-based repeaters required, maximum flexibility in siting, rapid network deployment.
However, cost and spectrum availability restricted the availability of TACSAT to only the highest priority users such as; Special Forces and formation headquarters.
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UHF tactical satellite (TACSAT) capability is a scarce resource that eludes many end users due to high demand and cost. As a technology it creates a Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Push-to-talk (PTT) network using tactical radios on land, maritime and aviation platforms.
For militaries worldwide there are many benefits TACSAT access provides; extended range, minimal effects of terrain on signal quality, no ground-based repeaters required, maximum flexibility in siting, rapid network deployment.
However, cost and spectrum availability restricted the availability of TACSAT to only the highest priority users such as; Special Forces and formation headquarters.
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There is a 24/7 365 days a year support service for SlingShot and L-TAC services. If any partners or their customers are experiencing any technical issues then Spectra can be contacted on the number and email given. For partners they must carry out any 1st line fault action with their customer, if unsuccessful then the issue should be raised to the help desk. A ticket system is in operation and the partner will be given a support number.
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Every partner will have their own username and password to access the latest documentation on SlingShot. This will include training, product information and any news about SlingShot.
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If the SlingShot equipment is found to be faulty after 2nd line support from Spectra Help Desk an RMA number will be raised. Equipment is to be shipped to the address on the RMA form. Make sure that a copy of the RMA is sent with the equipment. If not, this can cause delay with the repair as item will be held in quarantine. Each item within SlingShot has a 12 months warranty as long as the items have been used in accordance with the T&C of the warranty.
If an item is found not to be in warranty then it will be evaluated for a ROM cost to repair. If the customer agrees to the costs, then once a PO has been received the repair will take place.
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This is an example of the RMA document that will be emailed for the return of faulty SlingShot equipment.
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For any sales queries your Account Manager should be the first point of contact. All pricing for all the line items are given to Partners. Any quotation that is sent to potential customers should be feed back to your Account Manager.
Information to formulate a quotation includes:
• Frequency channels of radios to specify the correct Appliqué.
• Radio type and model to check compatibility.
• Application Maritime, Vehicular, Ops Room or Manpack.
• User(s) locations for L-TAC services.
• Duration of coverage for L-TAC services.
• Type of service wideband 25KHz or sub channels of 5KHz.
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Potential customer demonstrations can be organised through your Account Manager Steff Taylor. Spectra Group SlingShot team will help in any customers demonstrations led by the partner.
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