Thuraya Launches New Tactical Satellite Communication Solution in Collaboration with Cobham Satcom

The system employs an advanced Generic Converter Unit that enables users to speak over tactical radio and push-to-talk (PTT) devices via satellite.

Advanced new tactical radio solution addresses existing Push-To-Talk limitations in remote or isolated locations

Thuraya Telecommunications Company, the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (“Yahsat” or, together with its subsidiaries, “the Group listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (“ADX”; under the symbol: YAHSAT, ISIN: AEA007501017), has launched its new tactical radio extender over satellite solution (T-TAC) designed for government and enterprise markets at Satellite 2023.

T-TAC is a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications solution, which is being launched in collaboration with Cobham Satcom. The system has been designed to allow operators on land, sea, and air to communicate seamlessly,. It employs an advanced Generic Converter Unit that enables users to speak over tactical radio and push-to-talk (PTT) devices via satellite. This makes it easier for personnel to communicate in remote or isolated locations where use of line-of-sight systems is difficult due to long distance or obstacles between on-site teams and their headquarters.

The lightweight solution is built with low power consumption hardware and is suitable for comms-on-the-move or comms-on-the-halt. It securely connects existing tactical VHF/UHF radios with a converter that links to Thuraya’s satellite via single hop for minimal delay, enabling reliable BLOS communications while avoiding the need to set up terrestrial infrastructure.

Sulaiman Al Ali, Thuraya Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are proud to announce the launch of Thuraya T-TAC in collaboration with Cobham Satcom. This is a truly industry-leading tactical radio solution and we are looking forward to demonstrating its capabilities to visitors at Satellite 2023. The T-TAC is an important component of our portfolio expansion and reinforces our commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies that address market need as well as solving the unique challenges faced by our customers.”

T-TAC resolves long-running issues related to limitations in PTT communications, enabling secure communication between different on-ground agencies and their headquarters. The system comes in four different packages: T-TAC ManPack, T-TAC Aeronautical, T-TAC Marine, and T-TAC Vehicular, each adapted for different use-case scenarios. The product provides interoperable communication capabilities between different systems, allowing military and emergency operations around the world to work together seamlessly, while any encryption on the radios is maintained. 

The T-TAC solution will operate over existing Thuraya satellites (Thuraya-2 and Thuraya-3) as well as Thuraya-4 in the future. The concept of operation for T-TAC solution is based on bent-pipe capacity lease service with highly flexibly technical and commercial options.

T-TAC will be on display at the Yahsat Stand #2819, Hall A, to allow visitors to find out more during the Satellite 2023 exhibition.