News & Media
Spectra Group (UK) awarded 2019 Queen’s Award for Enterprise
October 29, 2019
Last week, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, The Dowager Countess Darnley, presented Spectra Group (UK) with the highly prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The ceremony took place at Spectra’s headquarters and was attended by Major Patrick Darling, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire;; Councillor David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council; Sharon Smith, CEO, H&W Chamber of Commerce; Mark Armitage, Senior Director of International Trade, H&W Chamber of Commerce; as well as Members of UK MOD and a host of proud Spectra staff.
The Queen’s Award is highly contested and is a noteworthy recognition of the outstanding commercial success that Spectra has achieved with their revolutionary device, SlingShot®. Along with the commemorative trophy, Spectra were presented with the official Grant of Appointment, given permission to use the Queen’s Award emblem and to fly The Queen’s Award flag at their main office.
SlingShot is a lightweight device that delivers game-changing capabilities to existing military and civilian radio networks. When connected to military or commercial UHF/VHF radios, Slingshot extends their range from under 50 miles to potentially 1000s of miles by utilising the commercial satellite network. The system works by simply converting standard radio signals to the frequency used by commercial satellites and is the only product of its type to enable beyond line-of-sight voice and data communications whilst the user is on the move. It also enables interoperability between agencies using different radio systems, without degradation by environmental factors such as weather, terrain and vegetation, delivering increased safety and security with improved flexibility and effectiveness.
Spectra’s innovation stemmed from a realisation in 2012 that there was a previously unutilised capability of the Inmarsat geostationary satellite network that would have huge potential in both military and commercial sectors. Within a year of working closely with Inmarsat, a working concept was developed and approved for use by the British military; versatile enough to be used in aircraft, vehicles, maritime platforms and by individuals on the ground. Spectra has since gone on to successfully market SlingShot internationally for military and non-military use, such as emergency services and disaster-relief, with a capability that has proved to be of critical importance and has undoubtedly contributed to the saving of lives.
Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “I am extremely proud of what the staff at Spectra have achieved. This award is the greatest validation of our work; it’s a huge recognition and a ‘thank you’ to my team who have worked tirelessly to develop and produce our remarkable SlingShot technology”. He added, “Working on the design and building a business that supplies a product with the ability to revolutionise communications globally, not only for soldiers but also emergency services and disaster-relief agencies, is immensely satisfying. As a former soldier in the Royal Corps of Signals, knowing that lives are being saved is incredibly motivating for me and my team.”
Alcon Brakes – specialist design and state-of-the-art testing regimes key to producing ultra-high performance braking systems
October 11, 2019
Alcon, winner of the prestigious MIA Business of the Year Award 2018, is a designer and manufacturer of ultra-high quality brake, clutch and other automotive components. With wide-ranging clients internationally, each with bespoke, specialist requirements, Alcon’s expertise ranges from the production of tiny brake-by-wire controllers for Formula E racing cars to high-strength callipers required to stop 35 tonnes of armoured vehicle.
Looking specifically at the Defence market, brake discs and calipers are often procured from separate companies; a system that fails to acknowledge the critical importance of the relationship between these two components. Separation in the design of the two can, not only lead to reduced performance, but also conflicts between supplier and customer. Where Alcon excel is the simultaneous design and development of caliper and disc, creating a unified system. With refinements in materials, design and specification of caliper, pad and disc as a system, Alcon succeed in reducing disc temperatures, and thus the potential for brake failure, as well as cutting down the noise produced by their braking systems.
Extensive testing regimes have proven that friction performance and stability is best achieved through specific combinations of pad and disc materials. Alcon’s engineers create a design around their client’s specification, then carry out Finite Element Analysis to simulate high loads and temperatures. As well as making sure that the disc will not fail, this detailed analysis is also used to reduce disc coning and deflection to acceptable levels. Alcon’s discs are twin-turned to reduce DTV (disc thickness variation) at their latest, high-tech machining centres.
Alcon carry out specific dynamometer tests for strength, cracking and deflection, as well as friction performance, with a new NVH dynamometer allowing their R&D team to detect, measure and solve brake noise and vibrations during the development phase of a new product. The dynamometer utilises state-of-the-art technology to closely simulate actual operating conditions. The test chamber environment is highly regulated; with temperatures ranging from 20°C – 50°C and humidity from 10 to 95 percent. The dynamometer also features low speed / stationary operation and wet test operation. Alcon has one of only 2 NVH dynamometers in the UK, and when not in use for Alcon’s own research, they make the test facility available to OEMs requiring its services.
The common factor in everything that Alcon does is their no-compromise approach to engineering excellence. As required, costs can be reduced through tooling investment for higher volume programmes. However, Alcon are also able to support low volume programmes without tooling investment through their range of standard castings; these can have a billet-machined bell bolted to them to make a bespoke design with integral mounting bell.
Already well-established in the defence sector, Alcon have designed, manufactured and delivered bespoke braking solutions for some of the world’s leading Special Forces and armoured vehicle manufacturers, including Patria, Supacat, BAe, Ricardo and Jankel. From armoured SUVs to the largest military combat vehicles, their brake solutions are designed and built to the highest specification, developed to withstand the harshest and most demanding of environments encountered on the battlefield, whilst providing exceptional braking performance and reliability. They have off-the-shelf solutions available for a range of brake upgrades or, with their state-of-the-art design and testing capabilities, can design a bespoke solution to absolutely meet the most demanding of needs.
Jankel Tactical Systems is awarded a substantial LMS contract by US DOD
October 10, 2019
World-class specialists in the design and production of high-specification armored vehicles, US-based Jankel Tactical Systems (part of the global Jankel group of companies), has been awarded a Lifecycle Management Services (LMS) contract by the US DOD. This announcement coincides with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition, the largest Land Warfare tradeshow in North America, taking place in Washington DC, 14-16 October 2019.
Jankel Tactical Systems is already well-established in North America. This latest contract, initially of a 12-month duration, will see Jankel delivering a service provision package in support of a wide range of non-standard tactical and armored military and civilian vehicles. Within the range of supported platforms will be Jankel’s own civilian armored vehicles (CAVs) and multiple other tactical wheeled vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), operated by US DOD. The services delivered under this contract include development operator and maintainer training courses, maintenance management, repair services, spare parts, and a wide range of other assistance, supporting fleets from delivery through to disposal in remote and limited resource locations, worldwide.
Enjoying a period of significant growth, Jankel’s core clients include the US Department of Defense; US Department of State; the Canadian Department of National Defense; and Global Affairs Canada. In addition, Jankel has secured new customer opportunities with the US Customs and Border Patrol, US Marshalls, and the US Drug Enforcement Agency. This new LMS contract sees Jankel expand their existing LMS capability into a wider, more extensive vehicle service provision arena.
Previously, Jankel’s focus in North America has been on ‘Hot Formed Armored’ discreet platforms and the delivery of niche armor requirements for platforms indigenous to the country within which they operate; including the Chevrolet 3500 HD Suburban, Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series Double Cab (4×4 and 6×6) and Mercedes Sprinter 3500 XD. In addition to their wide range of vehicle protection capabilities, Jankel is targeting the provision of specialist seating and survivability systems. Jankel sales programs increased significantly in 2018/19 with the provision of BLASTech Seating solutions for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and new production vehicles for the US and allied nations.
Cody Baker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Jankel Tactical Systems said: “winning this US DOD LMS contract is a key milestone for us, underlining our capability as a whole-vehicle, through-life engineering business, capable of designing, building and supporting defense and security platforms, worldwide”. He added: “what’s of particular note here is that in addition to supporting our own in-service vehicles, we’ll be supporting a wider range of other vehicles in a variety of locations; that’s a big step forward for us”.
Jankel launches their Next Generation Seating Solutions for AUSA 2019
October 10, 2019
Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of highly specialized defense, security and NGO protection systems, will be launching its next generation seating solutions in parallel to this year’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition, the largest Land Warfare tradeshow in North America taking place in Washington DC, 14-16 October 2019.
Jankel brings to the market its most extensive range of specialist seats for military applications yet: the latest range of blast-mitigating seat products, alongside the launch of lightweight non-mitigating seats for troop transport and tactical requirements. This seating range has been designed to push ergonomic boundaries in order to deliver increased occupant safety, enhanced personnel comfort and incorporates properties that reduce the harmful vibrations experienced by a seated occupant.
Jankel first chose to develop its own seating solutions to mitigate the effects of IED blasts when they were unable to find any seats on the market that met their challenging standards. To date, Jankel has delivered over 100,000 blast attenuating seats worldwide and is on most of the Tactical Vehicle Platforms and Mine-Resistant Ambush Resistant (MRAP) vehicles around the world.
US-based Jankel Tactical Systems, part of the global Jankel group of companies, is excited to be offering this enhanced range of seat products, delivering a further leap forward in comfort as well as continued reduction in weight for their already world-leading blast-mitigating seats. The Lightweight Mesh Seat has, in particular, been developed to specifically support tactical operations for Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) requirements, where weight reduction and improved crew comfort is a necessity.
Cody Baker, CEO Jankel Tactical Systems said: “Our Next Generation Seating Solutions are really exciting and should position Jankel well to meet the current and future needs of the military for years to come. We’ve invested extensively in innovative seating technology and believe that this latest range of seats will ensure that Jankel remains the premier choice for all military seating applications”. He added: “This new range is being released alongside AUSA on the back of successful live fire blast testing and down selection on recent programs. The Jankel team will be at AUSA and look forward to discussing this new generation of seating and welcome the opportunity to network with global OEMs as well as existing customers to discuss their requirements in detail.”
Spectra Group to lift the lid on SlingShot success in the US at AUSA 2019
October 10, 2019
Spectra Group (US) Inc will be exhibiting at this year’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition (booth #4013), the largest Land Warfare tradeshow in North America taking place in Washington DC, 14-16 October 2019. As a world leader and provider of high-grade information security and communication capabilities, Spectra have secured over 3500 orders for SlingShot systems across 4 continents. Used by over 20 different organisations globally, in mostly NATO countries, SlingShot is rapidly becoming the system of choice for tactical radio users needing increased range, Communications on the Move, flexibility and interoperability.
The small and lightweight SlingShot system has proven to be hugely popular with the United States Special Forces and Intelligence Communities. The system recently achieved safety accreditation from the US Army Test and Evaluation Command for the prestigious US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments (AEWE 2019), which was also witnessed by the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE). With successful completion and recommendation from both Battle Labs and its continued deployment with USSOCOM, SlingShot is now set to become the system that will transform tactical communications capabilities throughout the wider US Military.
Produced by Spectra Group in the UK and distributed via several trusted partners in the US, as well as Spectra Group (US) Inc, SlingShot extends the range of standard VHF and UHF radios to beyond line of sight (BLOS), over 1000s of miles, using Inmarsat’s L-TAC service (COMSATCOM). With options that work on any platform, including helicopters, the Manpack version of SlingShot weighs less than 2lbs, including the antenna. Because it is so small, lightweight and with low power requirements, US SOCOM has been using SlingShot in remote operations where there may be no existing communications infrastructure and where troops are required to communicate over extreme distances with their Command HQ. SlingShot provides added flexibility over TACSAT, in that it works on the move using small omni-directional antennas, unifying platforms in complex asymmetric operations. Another reason for SlingShot’s success is its delivery of a unified radio net for interoperability, as successfully tested at AEWE 2019. By linking radios of different native frequencies to a single L-Band net Beyond Line of Sight, SlingShot greatly improves C2 communications when working with coalition partners and other agencies.
In Oct 2018, following contract successes in North America, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd established new offices in Fairfax County with Spectra Group (US) Inc. Spectra Group’s permanent presence in the USA enables closer support for existing partners in North America, as well as dedicated product and service support directly to the end-user.
Simon Davies, CEO at Spectra Group (UK) Ltd said: “We are receiving significant interest in our products and services across North America as well as from around the globe, so our attendance at AUSA 2019 will be another fantastic opportunity to meet customers old and new. Our team will be on hand throughout the exhibition and will be available to discuss your requirements. So please do make contact by visiting us at Booth 4013”.