Integrated Tactical Communications

Extend, mobilize, and bridge the upper tactical tier

Today’s fighting forces need to be highly mobile and connected while maintaining continuous 360⁰ battlespace awareness at all times. In support of the U.S Army’s Unified Network Plan and parallel international initiatives, Ultra I&C is transforming and augmenting traditional static, mast-mounted radio networks into dynamic, range-extended, and highly mobile networks with high-capacity links. Ultimately providing interoperability between edge networks and the Upper Tactical Tier (UTT). Watch this quick video to learn more.

Unparalleled efficiency and mobility

Ultra I&C’s ORION solutions for the tactical edge incorporate unique and highly advanced waveform technology to unify the network. The system is designed to serve as a mobile command post radio that bridges the Upper Tactical Tier (UTT) and lower-tactical tier (LTT). The ORION tactical edge systems provide tremendous advantage to the network architecture by creating a “mobile extension” of the UTT, while maintaining interoperability with backhaul networks. Ultra I&C’s ORION small form factor solutions are ideal for tactical command posts—in one place or on-the-move.

Integrated and multi-domain

The U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S Navy all use Ultra I&C’s Tactical Communications solutions today. We continually working with our customers across all domains to integrate networks, ensure commonality of systems, provide modular solutions, transport diversity and flexibility across the connected battlespace in support of the JADC2 mandate.

Unmatched spectrum agility and resiliency

Spectrum agility refers to the ability of the radio to be able to pick the strongest waveform for the application on its own, both quickly and effectively, due to congested or contested radio interference. Network resiliency is the ability of the radio to protect against advanced near-peer threats, including jamming or spoofing. Ultra I&C’s waveform technologies excel on both fronts by providing highly flexible, concurrent waveforms including high-performing mesh, foliage-penetrating mesh and fast-hopping adaptive ECCM. This unique family of waveforms ensures transport efficiency, resiliency, and interoperability throughout the network irrespective of the deployment scenario.

Extended-range visibility using aerial drones

The use of Vertical Height Antennas (VHAs)—tethered drones with radio capabilities—provide significant tactical communications advantages. VHAs provide aerial-extension connectivity when natural or man-made obstacles prevent the reliable use of Line-of-Sight (LOS) communications. They provide a reliable and secure broadband connectivity overlay over wide operational areas (up to 90 miles). VHAs can also serve to extend the upper tactical tier to near-beyond-line-of-sight, reducing SATCOM cost and operational SATCOM dependencies in satellite-degraded or denied conditions. VHAs can extend much higher than a typical mast and can be deployed quickly.

AI/ML-powered network setup, monitoring and protection

Increased operational tempo and complexity require faster awareness and decisions. Ultra I&C uses AI/ML networking technologies to assist operators with network setup and management at all tiers of the network. This technology is especially useful at the LTT where teams are more isolated and do not always have access to the resources available at the UTT. AI/ML can assist operators with bridging networks, providing intelligent, automated Primary-Alternate-Contingency-Emergency (PACE) capability. This technology also leverages available transport diversity options such as SATCOM and offers resiliency features.

Learn more about Ultra’s AI/ML Communications solutions

A unified network benefits from system commonality

Sharing in the same design approach, manufacturing quality, and supply chain, Ultra I&C’s solutions offer commonality that not only benefits the warfighter in the field, but also provides simplified maintenance and repair with reduced lifecycle costs. For the warfighter, commonality of systems offers greater ease-of-use through a single-user interface and experience. The training burden is significantly reduced. Common waveforms across all radio platforms reduces the need for additional systems and third-party solutions.

Future-proof tactical communications

How has Ultra Intelligence and Communications stayed ahead of the technology curve for decades? We continuously improve our offering by integrating more capability into smaller form factors, invest in advanced AI technologies, develop new waveforms, and look at innovative ways our solutions can be deployed to connect the unified battlespace and ensure information advantage.