Sarah Eggleton

Wappenham, UK  – SPX CommTech, formed by TCI and ECS, launches its next generation 953 Communications Intelligence (COMINT) Radio Frequency (RF) Receiver for superior identification, direction-finding, and tracking of hostile RF signals to support COMINT and Counter-UAS tactical operations. It will be exhibited for the first time at DSEI, Excel London, on stand H2-874, between 12-15 September 2023.

The new 953 COMINT RF Receiver builds on the success of its predecessor and now boasts reduced size and weight, but with greater power. This makes the device portable for dismounted operations and easily mounted on a vehicle to support mobility operations. For example, it can be carried to an elevated position in a dismounted role, such as a tactical position only accessible on foot or on top of a high-rise building, to ensure the antenna is situated at height for optimum signal detection and increased range.

The 953 COMINT RF Receiver performs continuous, unmanned, remote, and real-time signal collection up to 80MHz bandwidth across a frequency of up to 40GHz for signal monitoring, collection, and direction-finding. This bandwidth delivers a sweet spot between monitoring sufficient signal breadth and amplitude to ensure quality and accuracy in identifying threats.

The 953 COMINT RF Receiver is powered with removable hot-swappable batteries for round-the-clock use. The new compact chassis is IP-67 rated to withstand temperatures up to 50°C to deliver full operational capability in extreme hostile climatic environments. It also boasts increased removable storage of up to 2 TB for enhanced data capture.

“All around the world, heightened political, military and societal tension, and the growing use of electronic warfare, demonstrates the unparalleled importance of managing and understanding the RF spectrum today. Threat analysis and response are critical to global security, so we are excited to welcome the next generation product of our successful RF range, currently used across 20 countries,” says Graeme Forsyth, Counter-UAS Product Manager at SPX CommTech.

The 953 COMINT RF Receiver is powered by SPX CommTech’s well-renowned Blackbird software application, which detects, identifies, direction-finds and tracks signals of interest to support, find, fix and strike operations, and mitigate electronic warfare threats. It also tracks the RF emission of UAVs and their controllers or Data Links to support counter-responses. Blackbird can record the signal environment for look-back analysis without interrupting the current mission. It simplifies the collection task and can trigger automated actions and support unattended operations.

Utilizing part of the 953 COMINT RF Receiver, Blackbird also uses geolocation to enable defense teams to visualize the location of the frequencies for improved intelligence-gathering and threat management. Blackbird’s intuitive point-and-click user experience suits all skill levels and is an evolution of the proven intuitive interface in previous models. This ensures minimal training requirements for existing customers while enabling new users to master the system quickly.

The new 953 COMINT RF Receiver is backwards compatible with previous COMINT versions and other technologies from SPX CommTech, for cost avoidance, uninterrupted service and seamless scalability for our users. It can also be integrated with open-source or customer-supplied mapping and other integrations.

The 953 COMINT RF Receiver is available today, and current COMINT models in service with customers will continue to be supported by SPX CommTech.

For more information, visit www.tcibr.com. Book a time to discuss your COMINT needs with us at DSEI (Excel London, 12-15 September 2023) by emailing tci_sales@spx.com.

About SPX CommTech – TCI

TCI, as part of the SPX Technologies’ CommTech Platform, innovates specialized technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.

SPX CommTech’s Battlespace portfolio enables defense and security teams to detect, defeat and exploit RF signals to enhance Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS).

Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX CommTech delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers across the globe.

For more information on SPX CommTech solutions visit www.tcibr.com

What a fantastic day we had at the recent TCI company picnic, held for all TCI employees at Gilroy Gardens and Theme Park, CA.  Many of us brought along our families and we spent quality time getting to know each other better and celebrating summer!

Please read the recent article published in European Security & Defence, featuring Misho Tkalcevic, Chief Technology Officer at TCI (part of SPX CommTech), speaking on emerging Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) threats and the specialized Radio Frequency (RF) technologies keeping defense teams one step ahead: Keeping one step ahead of the next UAS threat: Interview with Misho Tkalcevic, CTO at TCI – European Security & Defence (euro-SD.com)

TCI International, Inc. is pleased to have hosted Practical Applications of Spectrum Management and Spectrum Monitoring May 1–5, 2023. TCI congratulates the several dozen industry and government professionals from around the world who attended this tuition-free training course offered by the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI).

During this course, attendees learned about the practical implementation of spectrum management, spectrum monitoring, radio direction-finding, and signal measurement techniques as they relate to the international standards of the ITU and today’s signal environment.

Special sessions were held on new technology and techniques, including cellular monitoring with TCI’s new CellScan product, SHF and microwave monitoring options including drones, hand-held analyzers, mobile monitoring solutions, and data collection and visualization.

A popular session discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) is driving developments in automation and how products such as TCI’s Spectrum Surveyor® software supports managing monitoring systems and big data. Special guest speaker Eng. Sarmad Ali Sheikh shared CRA Qatar’s experience from their spectrum management and monitoring planning and execution for the 2022 World Cup event.

About TCI

TCI International, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of SPX Technologies. TCI provides turnkey solutions for spectrum management and monitoring, direction-finding, geolocation, and communications intelligence to civilian, government, military, and intelligence agencies as well as antennas for communications and high-power radio broadcasting. TCI is headquartered in Fremont, California, USA.

Business Chief sits down with Eric Kaled, President of the CommTech and Transportation subsidiaries of successful Charlotte-based company SPX Technologies.

Eric Kaled has enjoyed a diverse career thus far, working in more than 20 countries across the globe. 

Today, he is President of the CommTech and Transportation subsidiaries of Charlotte-based company, SPX Technologies, a supplier of highly-engineered products and technologies.

Prior to joining SPX in 2019, Eric held various executive leadership roles across Crane Company, including in payment, merchandising and process flow technologies for the chemical, refining and power industries.

He is a keen advocate of striking the right balance between a traditional business mindset and taking a more people-centred approach, stressing that authenticity and transparency are key. 

Here, Business Chief catches up with Eric to discuss overcoming pandemic challenges, his goals for the 12 next months and the importance of learning your lessons. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career so far

My experience has been quite diverse to date. I’ve been fortunate to work in over 20 countries, within a multitude of disciplines – from operating with cutting-edge semiconductors, radio chips, the first cellular phone system on a chip, and Bluetooth – and at different levels. Today, as President of the CommTech (TCI and ECS) and Transportation (Genfare) subsidiaries of SPX Technologies, I head a workforce and team of leaders committed to making high-tech solutions as effortless as they are useful.

At SPX Technologies we specialise in innovative next-generation technologies that ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.  For example, if you’ve ever wondered how airports detect drones, TCI and ECS’ precision geolocation technology may have been an underlying capability in making that happen. And if you’ve used a credit card, smart card, mobile app, or cash to ride public transportation, Genfare’s cloud-based software, mobile and hardware technology probably enabled your journey.

Prior to SPX Technologies, I held executive leadership roles across CraneCo, including payment, merchandising and process flow technologies for the chemical, refining, and power industries. I spent more than 20  years at the intersection of growth, optimisation, and business acquisition, stewarding businesses and cultivating leaders in publicly-traded B2B companies spanning fintech, retail, mobile, gaming, transportation, and industrial manufacturing. 

What does your role with SPX Technologies entail?

Since joining SPX Technologies in 2019, my role has evolved to my current title of President of both the communications technology for detection and measurement platform and the transportation division – CommTech and Genfare, respectively. As a global manufacturer and supplier of highly-engineered technological solutions with more than 10,000 employees across the globe, I’m also proud to be on the company’s executive council for diversity and inclusion and a facilitator of the sponsorship of our executive leadership program. Additionally, I’m part of the executive software council for engineering development, focused on innovation, and an executive leadership member for enterprise-wide activities and influence. 

What is the biggest challenge you face in your job?

My biggest challenge relates to securing organic and inorganic growth for each of the businesses I preside at SPX Technologies, in addition to daily operational coaching. Balancing time in a way that gives enough prioritisation and focus to each one of those elements is quite challenging; particularly when navigating an enterprise-wide role of supporting diversity and inclusion, software council and executive leadership programmes, while seeking new talent and coaching them to help scale, in the US and the UK. 

The combination of all those elements is a challenge, which is why we advocate for a clear company culture which is sympathetic to everyone’s individual philosophy and values in order for teams to be managed in a structure that is efficient and clear. For instance, by delegating and trusting others, we’re able to drive scalability and grow operations. On a personal level in my current role, I strive to make a positive impact on my organisation, taking the time and focus on making a positive difference.

Given the pandemic, economic uncertainty and war in Ukraine, how tough have the past few years been for your company?

Despite the unsettling past few years leading up to the current state of economic and social unrest, we actively chose to see challenges as opportunities to support and make a positive impact on people – from our employees to wider communities. For instance, in 2020 amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, our SPX CommTech team continued providing essential service and support to defence teams, emergency services and law enforcement customers with critical radio frequency technology. This allowed us to build a stronger team culture, evaluate how we’re impacting society and bring people together in a time of need.

In challenging environments, we’re compelled to approach everything differently, whether that be a company-wide business process or a specific product feature. This enables us to accelerate innovation and produce new and unique solutions that allow us to problem-solve in new complex scenarios. For instance, when faced with the fast-evolving conflict in Eastern Europe, at SPX CommTech we produced and launched a new scalable solution to detect, track and defeat Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) engaged in hostile activity or surveillance within 12 months. Today this solution is currently being deployed in active conflicts and is enabling us to gather further feedback from customers that will, in turn, help us make improvements for future operations.

Ultimately, the ability to embrace challenges by looking at the problem and seeing how we can add value has allowed us to build effective solutions, which is how we will continue to operate as we navigate present and future uncertainty.

How important is it for companies to strike the right balance between having a traditional business mindset and taking a more people-centred approach?

It’s very important and stems from authenticity. The balance lies in stating what business is about and allowing people to grow within it based on a clear understanding of its targets, goals and what has to be done in order to achieve them. Being authentic and transparent about your targets enables meaningful conversations to be had among groups, removes friction in decision-making and helps focus support of three key groups: users, investors and employees. 

As a business we value transparency and openness, and as such all employees see our monthly KPIs, from finance and growth goals to operational excellence and talent. This enables us to discuss how we’re performing against each target, what’s top of mind, any concerns and what we must focus on going forward. Ultimately, this approach removes the need to choose between having a traditional business mindset and a people-centred approach – it’s about our collective alignment and targets. This way we guarantee everybody is on the same page and we don’t have to trade one over the other.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

The main advice I would give to my teenage self is to focus your whole mind on the goal you want to pursue and, if it’s really what’s important to you, do whatever it takes at all levels to achieve it. Be full-hearted and the best that you can be. A second piece of advice would be to always be mindful of the consequences of your actions and of all lessons learned during your professional and personal journey. In today’s age of social media, we’ve seen a significant backlash against those articulating or posting a thought before carefully considering its implications. This has, naturally, drastically transformed since I was a teenager, but the core lesson is still there.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?

A key professional goal is to hit our performance indicators for both businesses – SPX CommTech and Genfare. Additionally, over the coming year, we want to encourage more celebration and recognition of our teams across our US and UK offices. The past 12 months have already seen great successes, from the rapid expansion of SPX CommTech’s business operations culminating in multi-million contract wins for our BLACKTALON Counter Unmanned Air Systems solution, to shining the spotlight on our female leaders on International Women’s Day. However, our biggest success to date is embracing our culture and diversity as an organisation, celebrating successes and supporting others to continue making a positive impact on the world around us. 

Finally, on a personal level, a goal I wish to achieve over the next year is to take time to charge my mental and physical battery – shutting down from business, enjoying time with friends and family, and returning to business with renewed strength and determination to continue making a difference.

From the use of purpose built and commercial drones in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to the delivery of contraband and weapons to prisons, to the inappropriate use of drones in public spaces, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) threats are rising significantly, and will continue to do so in the coming years. Successfully defeating any threat posed by errant, illegal or malicious drone use is becoming ever more critical for an increasingly wide range of domestic and international military and security forces.

Radio Frequency (RF) inhibition technology is an ideal technique to mitigate UAS threats in complex environments. However, the challenges presented by new highly complex UAS waveforms, paired with the limitations of older DDS-based jamming solutions, have caused the most effective Counter-UAS RF inhibition systems to undergo a significant technology change. For instance, a change that has materialised in the adoption of techniques used in Software-Defined Radios (SDR).

Forward-thinking RF inhibition waveform designers, understanding the potentially advantageous nature of SDR source waveform generation, had already developed and proven as a next generation countermeasure waveform, but they weren’t implemented until the complex waveforms of the UAS domain appeared. Hence the deployment of SDR-based RF inhibition source waveform generation was triggered by the appearance of the new sophisticated waveform drone threat.

In this context, SDR-derived RF inhibition waveforms can be architected to counter a much wider range of threats which, when grouped together, don’t see their individual frequency effectiveness compromised as there is no interdependency between them. Most critical for defeating sophisticated drones, the countermeasure waveform is always present across the denied spectrum given that SDR techniques, designed appropriately, generate high instantaneous bandwidths.

The BLACKTALON solution, jointly developed by SPX CommTech’s TCI and ECS, has provided an effective  way to integrate passive and active RF detect to locate, identify, track and defeat drones, allowing for flexibility in deployment in an ever changing and evolving threat environment. Proven in active conflict, its SDR source generation delivers an inhibition waveform best suited for Counter-UAS. High gain, directional antennas transmit the inhibition waveforms ensuring that the antennas illuminate the target. Furthermore, the antennas have a nominal 20° beamwidth providing the power density required at the target UAS, which allows for mitigation of collateral impact upon other systems and is, without a doubt, a key factor for using RF.

As solutions manufacturers, at SPX CommTech, our primary goal is focused on innovation and progress, but more broadly, we must continue to deliver technology that ensures a smarter, more secure future for us all.

Visit us this week during Security & Policing 2023, stand D61, to find out more about BLACKTALON, Radio Frequency Counter-UAS, COMINT, and Data Link solutions for defence and security teams.