Sarah Eggleton

By Graeme Forsyth, Counter-UAS Product Manager at SPX Communication Technologies

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are increasingly used in the battlefield on both sides of conflict, especially in regions such as Ukraine. As a result, defence and security teams are gaining greater awareness of the threats and are prioritising countermeasures to stay one step ahead.

To meet this growing demand for Counter-UAS (C-UAS) capabilities, the number of vendors has dramatically increased in the past two years. From larger system providers to a myriad of subsystem manufacturers offering pieces of the puzzle, customers have more options than ever before. However, the realisation that C-UAS transcends hardware and relies on a deeper knowledge and education around threat types, doctrine and available solutions is often missing.

Combining decades of technology innovation, expertise, and deep customer conversations, SPX Communication Technologies – formed of TCI and ECS – has gained a strategic viewpoint: there is no “one size fits all” in today’s volatile C-UAS landscape. Every customer organisation is on a different path and has distinct requirements. That’s why SPX has set out to support defence and security teams in meeting their needs in a way that reflects the nuanced reality of their domain, leaving them best placed for the future.

Creating an ecosystem of industry-leading capabilities

To address this, we’ve created a new C-UAS capability, BLACKTALON Ecosystem. Its open-architecture framework combines our operationally-proven BLACKTALON solution and decades of experience with a global network of providers to meet defence and security needs, threats, skill sets, and budgets.

What puts us in the best position to spearhead this? First, our C-UAS equipment has been fielded in multiple NATO nations since 2017, making us one of the first companies to identify a growing UAS threat and its significance. We’ve developed C-UAS solutions that evolved in tandem with the threat in real-time. As specialists in Radio Frequency (RF) defeat and detection technology with decades of experience, we’re uniquely placed to analyse frequencies across the battlefield and gain vast amounts of valuable intelligence to stay abreast of developments.

Finally, our position as a trusted partner to various customers, other technology providers and industry leaders around the globe has put us in a solid position to orchestrate an ecosystem of collaborators and create a compelling vendor-agnostic framework with a very agile support environment in over a hundred countries. 

Making an ecosystem operationally sound
Subsystem providers – like OpenWorks, Echodyne, Chess Dynamics and Blighter – are the bedrock of the BLACKTALON Ecosystem. They are a vital source of innovation and technological advancement that help each customer meet their individual requirements. But in designing the BLACKTALON Ecosystem, we’ve established an open network where no system is above another, and providers can achieve industry exposure and feedback from real-world applications of their technology.

Putting customers at the heart

By offering a configurable framework, defence and security teams can avoid vendor lock-in and gain from the flexibility of adapting their solution to suit their needs at any given time – whether it’s due to the natural evolution of technology, the threats they face or even an increase or decrease in budget. SPX works with customers as early as possible to understand the subtleties of their needs and priorities to refine the right providers and elements as part of their customised BLACKTALON Ecosystem solution.

Maintaining an open and honest dialogue with all customers and ecosystem providers means we can understand details that would otherwise fail to surface from a traditional one-way approach. Furthermore, allowing choice for each element of the C-UAS solution changes the dynamic of these conversations and allows us to be specific about capabilities and their merits.

We look forward to evolving the BLACKTALON Ecosystem even further in the coming months and years to support present and future defence and security teams’ C-UAS needs – all in close collaboration with customers and the industry and naturally supported by our proven technology.

For more information on the BLACKTALON Ecosystem, visit www.tcibr.com/blacktalon-ecosystem, email us at sales@enterprisecontrol.co.uk or visit us from 17-19 September at EW Live in Tartu, Estonia (stand 7).

Our Partners, GB Aircraft, established in 2007, are one of the leading general aviation companies in Poland, specialising in aircraft sales and special mission modifications for public services companies.

GB Aircraft now provide Tactical Data Link solutions by Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), including the operationally proven ECS Evenlode Series, which gives users secure long range video and bidirectional TCP IP data transfer – and provides customers with sales and comprehensive servicing of various leading aircraft OEMs like Cessna, Cruiser Aircraft, Lightwing or Stemme and MD Helicopters.

Aircraft deals are complemented with sale of flight simulation devices of brands such as Alsim, Frasca, ELITE or Simnest and recently air traffic control simulators of EDDA Systems.

We are very proud to have GB Aircraft representing us, with our Tactical Data Links currently installed in 7 Bell 407GXi helicopters for the Polish Police – and we look forward to continued success with our partnership and expanding our reach in Poland.

• Affordable solution breaks down barriers to the latest airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa.
• Enhances civilian and border security for various users, including defence, policing, security, search and rescue, and incident response teams.

Wappenham, UK | Wednesday, 4th September, 2024 – Radio frequency (RF) technology specialists, SPX Communication Technologies today launches Evenlode Lite, an entry-level video downlink system designed for regions new to airborne surveillance or those looking to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. As geopolitical tensions rise and the need for real-time situational awareness grows, Evenlode Lite offers a cost-effective solution for defence, security, border control, and search and rescue teams.

Evenlode Lite is an introductory version of the Evenlode system, operationally proven across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Comprising an air data terminal and ground data terminal, it provides reliable, secure, real-time transmission of up to 4K video, audio, GPS, and telemetry data from airborne platforms to static or mobile ground teams.

The system is tailored for integrators and end users in regions across Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, offering a low barrier to entry for organisations seeking to improve ISR capabilities without the complexity and cost typically associated with such systems.

Key features:

• Complete end-to-end solution that seamlessly integrates with existing video systems to deliver live intelligence directly to ground teams.
• Cost-effective: By dramatically reducing entry-level costs, Evenlode Lite makes airborne data transmission more accessible to a broader range of users.
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) exempt: Fully exportable to most regions worldwide, Evenlode Lite can be deployed quickly with minimal regulatory constraints or complexity.
• Fully secure: Equipped with AES256 or substitution Cipher encryption, the system protects sensitive data during transmission, making it ideal for domestic security and search and rescue operations.
• Scalable and upgradeable: As concept of operations (CONOPS) requirements evolve, Evenlode Lite can be enhanced with additional features, including dual video channels, onward IP video streaming, and range extensions.

“Many defence and security teams lack the real-time intelligence to respond swiftly to incidents or mitigate risk. Evenlode Lite addresses this gap by offering an affordable and scalable solution that delivers critical intelligence, enabling faster, more informed decisions,” says Jackson White, Business Development Director of Tactical Data Links at SPX Communication Technologies. “The system lowers the overall cost of ownership, making it an attractive option for regions with limited budgets while still providing the capability to upgrade as needs evolve.”

Evenlode Lite is now available for deployment. For more information visit www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk/evenlode-lite/, or visit us from 3-6 September at the 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO – stand D-37 at the Targi Kielce Exhibition & Conference Center, Poland. If you are an integrator interested in partnering with SPX Communication Technologies, please contact sales@enterprisecontrol.co.uk.

About SPX Communication Technologies – ECS

Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), part of SPX Technologies’ Communication Technologies Platform, innovates specialised technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.

SPX Communication Technologies’ Tactical Data Link portfolio allows police, military, border guard, intelligence, security and search and rescue organisations to effectively conduct airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. They can manage video and data securely across networks and reliably transfer data between enabled aircraft and ground users over long distances in congested RF environments.

Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX Communication Technologies delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers across the globe – including Europe, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa.

Last week, we held our Summer afternoon of pizza and games for all ECS staff at our premises in Wappenham.

An afternoon of fun and laughter with pizzas for all – and the sun even managed to make an appearance!

A great way of getting to know our co-workers better and to enjoy a couple of hours chatting and relaxing in the sunshine.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, everyone!

July 1, 2024 by

BATTLESPACE Editor Julian Nettlefold connects with Eric Kaled – President of SPX Communication Technologies and Genfare at SPX Technologies – as candidate for BATTLESPACE Businessman of the Year 2024.

Tell us a bit about SPX Technologies and your role within the business.

SPX Technologies is a global specialist in building innovative next-generation technologies that ensure a smarter, more secure future for all. Since joining SPX in 2019, my role has evolved, and I am now President of SPX Communication Technologies – formed by TCI and Enterprise Control Systems – and the transportation company Genfare, as part of SPX Technologies detection and measurement platform.

With over 10,000 employees globally, I lead a team committed to making easy-to-use high-tech solutions that solve some of the world’s biggest challenges today. I’m proud to be on the company’s executive council for diversity and inclusion and a facilitator of the sponsorship of our executive leadership programme. I’m also part of our executive software council for engineering development, focused on innovation, and an executive leadership member for enterprise-wide activities and influence.

How did your career start?

Since my early college days in engineering, I’ve been excited about innovation and solving problems creatively, which is what I believe technology is all about. Regardless of the industry, I’ve always been a firm believer that you can innovate and solve problems, whether they’re purely technological or involve applications such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), or the Internet of Things (IoT).

After graduating, my work experience has been quite diverse. I’ve been fortunate to work in over 20 countries, within many disciplines and at different levels. Before joining 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 over two decades 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. These experiences have ultimately allowed me to grow to where I am today at SPX Technologies.

How is SPX Technologies supporting modern battlespace operations?

Defence teams and governments rely heavily on real-time spectrum monitoring and data transmission that help protect entire communities within and outside national borders. At SPX Communication Technologies we specialise in Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum technologies which enables them to do this faster and more accurately than ever.

Our primary goal is to use our RF technology to deliver innovation and progress. It’s been three years since TCI and Enterprise Control Systems (ECS) joined forces and combined decades of expertise in RF countermeasures, encrypted data links systems, and leading RF detection and location systems, creating the global infrastructure we know today as SPX Communication Technologies. Since then, we’ve made some significant changes in our company structure, and rapidly expanded business operations,  culminating in multi-million contract wins for the first jointly developed BLACKTALON counter unmanned aerial systems (counter-UAS) solution. BLACKTALON is proven in active conflict and is currently deployed across the globe.

Can you go into a little more detail on BLACKTALON?

BLACKTALON is a scalable solution that detects, tracks, and defeats UAS engaged in hostile activity or surveillance by nuisance drone enthusiasts, insurgents, state actors, or hostile militaries. It provides comprehensive situational awareness and mitigation as a standalone or networked capability, a multi-layered counter-UAS, or a component of a Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) system.

BLACKTALON’s cutting-edge technology provides defence and security teams with the necessary capabilities to maintain airspace dominance and protect critical assets from the evolving UAS landscape. What’s more, we’re currently working on taking this even further with advanced customisation features which we look forward to sharing in the coming months.

How are you helping defence teams stay one step ahead?

First and foremost, we listen to our customers. Their perspective is essential to informing our business strategy, particularly when it comes to product development and innovation. The SPX Communication Technologies team regularly meets with customers from across the world to learn about their challenges, how their requirements are evolving, and to ensure we understand their problems from their point of view.

We also review and assess global challenges and trends, which allows us to be ready to adapt and evolve as the world and our end-users require. Additionally, in order to best support customers, we’ve built a strong network of global in-country partners. Having these local representatives across nations allows us to keep up with local issues, identify specific needs and deliver the right products even faster – even in the places that are hard to reach due to geopolitical and social tensions.

The most recent example of this is SPX Communication Technologies’ extended partnership with Depicon, a Belgium-based business development company that has been granted exclusive rights to offer our Tactical Data Link portfolio to aerospace and defence organisations in the Benelux region.

Ultimately, in order to address challenges with the appropriate solution we’re combining our proven technology with local expertise to provide the appropriate solution.

To read the full press release in the Battlespace publication, please click here: BATTLESPACE interview with Eric Kaled, President at SPX Communication Technologies and Genfare (battle-updates.com)

SPX Communication Technologies spearheads an open-architecture Counter-UAS capability, combining its operationally proven BLACKTALON solution and decades of experience with a global network of providers to meet defence and security needs, threats, skill sets, and budgets.

June 27th, 2024 | Wappenham, UK – Radio frequency (RF) technology specialists SPX Communication Technologies today launches the BLACKTALON Ecosystem, a new Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) capability based on the operationally proven BLACKTALON solution.

The BLACKTALON Ecosystem integrates SPX Communication Technologies’ BLACKTALON C-UAS technology and decades of expertise in the space with a vendor-agnostic framework. This approach ensures solutions can meet every customer’s unique requirements. Defence and security teams gain from a tailored solution meet to their specific Concept of Operations, threats, user groups, existing capabilities, and budgets.

Customers also benefit from SPX Communication Technologies’ extensive experience developing C-UAS solutions for high-threat scenarios from Ukraine to Iraq and other active global hot spots. SPX collaborates closely with customers from their concept stage to operational deployment, ensuring solutions are optimised for specific user needs and mission objectives and remain supported throughout their operational life.

The core BLACKTALON solution includes carefully selected active radars, EOIR, passive RFDF, RF jammer, and mast configuration. While SPX will continue to offer this standard configuration, the open architecture of BLACKTALON Ecosystem allows any of these elements to be customised or replaced. This flexibility provides customers access to the latest systems and hardware capabilities without unnecessary barriers and in a suitable timeframe.

For example, customers could choose autonomous optical tracking from OpenWorks, cutting-edge 3D radar from US provider Echodyne, RF subsystems from SPX and mount them on a range of dispersed or centrally located mobile or transportable masts to provide a single scalable BLACKTALON counter-UAS capability.

These latest capabilities join the Ecosystem alongside existing providers Chess Dynamics, supplier of surveillance, fire control, and large positioning systems, and Blighter, the UK’s leading supplier of ground-based electronic scanning radar systems.

Graeme Forsyth, Counter-UAS Product Manager at SPX Communication Technologies, said: “The complexity and speed that modern conflict develops means it’s impossible for a single Counter-UAS provider to own all the necessary technologies to provide a best-in-class solution suitable for all forms of threats today and in the future. As a trusted partner for global defence and security teams, our BLACKTALON Ecosystem helps break down barriers to threat response. It continues evolving to support their counter-UAS need – all in close collaboration with customers, the industry, and supported by our proven technology.”

James Cross, Director at OpenWorks, said: “Collaboration is key in the development of successful Counter-UAS defence technology. Integration and flexibility are at the forefront of system capabilities and requirements. Our inclusion in the BLACKTALON Ecosystem reflects this, and we are proud to be involved with a system that allows end-users a fully customisable design depending on mission-specific requirements.”

David Montague, Director EMEAI at Echodyne, said: “Systems are evolving rapidly to address the Counter-UAS threat, with accuracy, flexibility, and ease of integration being key evaluation criteria. We are pleased to be included in BLACKTALON Ecosystem, which provides rich optionality for customers to easily tailor system design and performance to mission and location requirements.”

The BLACKTALON Ecosystem offering is now available. For more information, visit www.tcibr.com/blacktalon-ecosystem or email sales@enterprisecontrol.co.uk

About SPX Communication Technologies (TCI | ECS)

SPX Communication Technologies, part of SPX Technologies, innovates specialised technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.

Formed by TCI and Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), SPX Communication Technologies and its Spectrum Battlespace portfolio enables defence and security teams to detect, defeat and exploit RF signals to enhance Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS).

Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX Communication Technologies delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers across the globe – including Europe, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa.

For more information, visit www.tcibr.com or www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk