L-TAC

L-TAC Leases
Enabling Interoperability & Extending government radio’s BLOS

Dede Abidin – Business Development - APAC

L-TAC: Where does it fit?

Maintaining C2 Increase the number

where UHF TACSAT of TACSAT-like
channels are channels, providing
expensive and in COTM over tactical,
short-supply theatre and
strategic distances,
using existing
tactical radios

L-TAC -
Inmarsat’s
global SlingShot® -
constellation of Spectra’s small,
geostationary lightweight
satellites. Land, Sea & Air
COTM system.

2
Defence: L-TAC
Tactical military radio over satellite

?
L-TAC Service Overview
Inmarsat-4: Global L-band Coverage

4
Inmarsat-4 Narrow Beams - Indonesia

5
L-TAC Deployment Scenarios
Standard UHF Radio Net
Standard network configuration
Satellite configured to provide 100 kHz channel in designated beam UHF

25 kHz assigned to user of LTAC channel Manpack

User terminals operate network autonomously Maritime

Vehicular

Typical use Aviation

L-band Receive
‘Push to talk’ conferencing L-band Transmit

A New Key Benefit

UHF and VHF terminals can be seamlessly mixed in a single net
All Applique types convert to the same L Band frequencies for both Tx
and Rx
Military and 1st responder end users can now communicate between
each other in a single net.
6
L-TAC Deployment Scenarios
Customised beam UHF & VHF radio net

UHF
Customised beam
VHF-M

VHF-C

Manpack

Maritime

Vehicular

Aviation

L-band Receive
L-band Transmit

7
L-TAC Deployment Scenarios
Multiple nets in a single beam UHF & VHF radio net

UHF

VHF-M

VHF-C

Manpack

Maritime Single Narrow

Spot Beam
Vehicular

Aviation

L-band Receive
L-band Transmit
Team A
Team B
8
Scenario Discussion
Multiple nets in a single beam UHF & VHF radio net

Dual Beam approach

˃ Custom beam synthesised to cover Theatre and HQ
˃ Example shown below for Australia – New Zealand
joint exercise

Single beam equivalent created from

parts of two regular spot beams

Pricing dependent upon satellite resource required relative

to that of a single spot beam, up to 4x a single beam
LTAC Service
User Channels

Channels are 25 kHz wide

• Selected for commonality with UHF SATCOM
• Actual satellite channels are 100 kHz wide
• Anticipate provision of 4 channels per beam
(same gain) Single Carrier Mode:

• Flat Filter response for two central channels
Operating modes
• Matches standard NATO and MIL-STD 188-181
operating modes
A single L-TAC carrier of up to 25 kHz
bandwidth is supported at the centre of the
channel.
This allows the UHF MIL-STD 188-181 HPW
to be operated achieving a variety of data
rates of up to 56 kbps, or a single FM voice
carrier
 GLOBAL GOVERNMENT
L-TAC hardware
Inmarsat’s L-Band TACSAT service with SLINGSHOT
System Family Overview
Battery/PSUs Appliqué Antenna

Frequency Manpack Vehicle

UHF-M

VHF-M

VHF-C
L-TAC – ManPack
Slingshot Manpack

The SlingShot Appliqué:

Weighing only between 489 g (UHF) and 550 g (VHF) it converts RF to
commercial satellite frequency, working with the majority of in-service radios.
Any Crypto is untouched by the Appliqué and is therefore maintained

The SlingShot Manpack Antenna:

Is omni-directional, so will maintain satellite communication, no matter which
way you are facing, or whether you are running, walking, kneeling or prone

The SlingShot Manpack system runs off standard radio batteries, meaning there
is no need to carry additional batteries or chargers. The Battery Cap attaches to
the radio battery and feeds the Appliqué which, in turn, powers the Antenna.
Under standard operational conditions, the system will run for up to 24 hours
on a single charge. The AA Battery Cassette offers a flexible and lightweight
back-up option. 13
L-TAC – Maritime
Slingshot Maritime

The SlingShot Appliqué:

Weighing only between 489 g (UHF) and 550 g (VHF) it converts RF to commercial
satellite frequency, working with the majority of in-service radios. Any Crypto is
untouched by the Appliqué and is therefore maintained

The SlingShot Maritime Antenna:

Is omni-directional, so will maintain satellite communication, no matter which way
you are heading. It has been tested at speeds up to 40 Knots with high-speed turns
(74 kph) without loss of voice or data communications.

The SlingShot Maritime are powered from a Universal Power Supply Unit (UPSU). The
UPSU can be run directly from the craft, from radio batteries or be run from mains.
The UPSU powers the Appliqué which, in turn, powers the Antenna. This can be pole
mounted or fixed with a magnetic plate
14
L-TAC – Vehicle
Slingshot Vehicle - Details

The SlingShot Appliqué:

Weighing only between 489 g (UHF) and 550 g (VHF) it converts RF to commercial
satellite frequency, working with the majority of in-service radios. Any Crypto is
untouched by the Appliqué and is therefore maintained

The SlingShot Vehicle Antenna:

Is omni-directional, so will maintain satellite communication, no matter which way
you are heading. It has been tested at speeds in excess of 80mph (128kph) without
loss of voice or data communications

The SlingShot Vehicle system is powered from a Universal Power Supply Unit (UPSU).
The UPSU can be run directly from the vehicle, plug into the cigarette lighter, or be
run from mains. The UPSU gives power to the Appliqué which, in turn, powers the
Antenna.
15
The Walk-on System
Aero L-TAC (Slingshot Walk-on)
Slingshot Walk-on Aviation Capability
Utilising the Walk-on system, SlingShot users can add an Aviation
capability by connecting the SlingShot to the approved Aviation
antenna, which works on both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

Aviation Antenna. The new, DO-160D approved, antenna will work

with a standard SlingShot Walk-on system to enable SlingShot to be used
on airborne platforms.

Walk-on System. The Walk-on System comprises a lightweight bag

designed to accommodate the SlingShot system so that it can be used
without being removed. A metal framework inside the bag holds the
SlingShot Applique, a UPSU and optional battery. The antenna can be
stored in the bag for transport.
18
Enabling tactical radios to:

connect BLOS
beyond line of sight

to allow C3
command and control communications

with COTM
communications on the move
 GLOBAL GOVERNMENT
THE LTAC SERVICE
The nuts and bolts