Significant technological developments, particularly in cyber warfare, electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), and precision fires, are fast becoming more accessible to opponents, thereby threatening to change the delicate landscape of global security and power dynamics.

According to Comtech’s Chief Strategy Officer and President of the Company’s Satellite Network Technologies business, Daniel Gizinski, today’s threat landscape looks wildly different from five to 10 years ago.

“There’s been a dramatic adjustment, both in terms of the capabilities and how and where they’re being deployed,” he explained.

“We’ve seen some pretty significant developments as a result of innovations and change, and over the last several years, we’ve had the opportunity to look at very different levels of what’s possible and what can be done. And from a product development and program fielding perspective, this change has put a lot of emphasis on how we design and develop products that can last over a long-term period in the field,” he continued to describe.

According to Daniel, the pivot towards strategic competition presents an “enormous challenge” to the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its international partners as they look to build and design products capable of being fielded for the next 10 to 25 years.

To support the warfighter both today and in the future, Comtech continues to focus on upgrading legacy systems as well as the development of emerging, next-generation technologies.

“The net result of this change has been a shift away from the development of bigger, more expensive, more hardened systems including advanced wideband waveforms and satellites capable of tolerating levels of spectral interference towards enormous investment in building out resilience in connectivity,” Daniel explained.

“Resilience on the battlefield lies in the diversity of multiple networks capable of providing the necessary levels of connectivity to route traffic via the best available network. Ultimately, the goal isn’t necessarily to keep a network running at all costs—it’s to keep data getting to the right place at all costs. And there are sometimes more efficient ways to do that, and you must bake in that headroom and that ability to adapt via software updates to maintain pace with a rapidly changing threat,” he added.

Uniquely Positioned

Consequently, Comtech continues to focus efforts on a series of technology areas of interest to support DoD and international partners.

Focus areas include Assured Communications and EMSO, with Daniel explaining how the company remains “hyper-focused” on the transition away from heavily stove-piped satellite systems towards digital satellite ground infrastructure and other capabilities that allow the warfighter to rapidly reconstruct networks based on the requirements of any given day.

Similar sentiments were shared by Comtech’s Executive Vice President of Business Development and Sales, Roly Rigual, who explained how Assured Communications can support operations against near-peer adversaries today and in the future.

“It’s been a long time since the major powers have had to ‘fight to get to the fight’ so assured and protected communications are more important today than ever,” Roly explained, highlighting the proliferation of multi-orbit (LEO, MEO, and GEO) constellations.

“It’s just starting, but there’s a lot of technology that still needs to be developed and deployed alongside the relevant standards supported by the ground infrastructure. I believe Comtech is in a very good position to help the customer solve these challenges,” he said.

In terms of EMSO, Comtech has focused on developing new understandings and techniques over the past decade, particularly relating to improved coordination of electronic attacks and electronic support through communications.

Dual Use Expertise

As it continues to support DoD and international partners, Comtech benefits from expertise in both commercial and defense markets.

“As a company that’s got its roots in dual-use technology development, we design a lot of cutting-edge commercial technologies with a unique set of abilities and capabilities to develop defense articles,” Daniel explained.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say one is universally ahead of the other, but having a foot in both camps allows us to take clever commercial innovations and bring them to the defense market and vice versa.”

Daniel highlighted satellite and troposcatter communication solutions as two of the most relevant dual-use capabilities that, when stitched together, can offer DoD and international partners significant value across a battlespace.

Specific Comtech successes include the US Army’s Enterprise Digital Intermediate Frequency Modem (EDIM) program, which has its roots in commercially developed technology. Awarded a contract in October 2023, Comtech is on track to deliver an initial tranche of systems to the army in the coming months.

Elsewhere, Comtech continues to support a resurgence in Troposcatter technologies across the US Army, Marine Corps, and international partners.

“Troposcatter was viewed as legacy technology-heavy, expensive, and hard to deploy. But it’s been fun to see the look of realization and appreciation that sets in with certain customers when they realize the art of the possible with modern solutions,” Daniel said.

Furthermore, Comtech is in the process of rolling out a next-generation of satellite modems capable of supporting exquisite platforms such as combat air aircraft.

“We recently received an award to bring some of the most advanced military jets into the overall network, so this is a pretty exciting growth opportunity and part of a new modem family we’re in the process of releasing over the next six or so months,” Daniel said.

Finally, Comtech remains dedicated to ensuring customers benefit from ‘Zero Trust Architecture’ as they move away from traditional network-centric infrastructures towards more data-centric models.

“One of the biggest challenges we see is bridging legacy and new networks together. I think everyone likes to imagine that we will flip a light switch and have zero trust architecture rolled out next year, but it’s going to be a 10-plus year roll-out process,” he concluded.

As the contemporary operating environment continues to change, so too must connectivity products and solutions over the long term to ensure the warfighter benefits from truly resilient communications.

Only increasing levels of investment and diverse inventories of products and concepts of operation will support those who need it most as they continue to observe uplifts in asymmetric warfare around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this blog post is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

When James Thomas was named Comtech’s Vice President of Government Affairs earlier this month, it marked “an exciting opportunity to help Comtech shape important policies that positively impact our customers and the world,” James explained.

Hiring James Thomas represents an important milestone for Comtech in the company’s growth trajectory. With Thomas now onboard, Comtech adds an experienced “voice in the room” at an important time, as the company’s breakthrough technologies are playing an increasingly pivotal role in connectivity solutions that are changing, saving, and improving lives across the globe.

“Navigating today’s political and policy environment is both challenging and fulfilling,” said James, who has worked most of his nearly 20-year career educating lawmakers and advocating for a wide range of policies in Washington, DC ranging from international trade issues to space and emerging satellite communications and sensor technologies that will be of particular benefit to Comtech as the company presses forward with core campaigns to transform technology, national security, and connectivity landscapes across the globe.

His vast expertise has been honed by a mix of experience in Congress, the Executive Branch during two Presidential administrations, the Department of Defense, and most recently in the private sector. Prior to joining Comtech, Thomas was the director of government affairs for national security programs at Leidos, fulfilling what he calls his trifecta of expertise in two branches of government and the corporate world.

“I’ve gained invaluable experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as the private sector. I’m privileged to be in this role at Comtech, to be able to share with key decision makers in Washington the incredible breakthroughs and innovative work being done by our team,” James noted. “Technology trajectories today are creating an increasingly complex environment that call for equally sophisticated terrestrial and satellite-based solutions to make life safer for our communities, our warfighters, and the world.”

“With nearly two decades navigating the political and policy intricacies of Washington, James brings a vast array of experience to the Comtech team,” said John Ratigan, Interim CEO of Comtech. “We’re excited to welcome this Marine Corps veteran to share Comtech’s vision and secured communications capabilities with policymakers and government customers.”

Always Been About Service and Giving Back

James went to the University of Dayton in 2000 with the goal of becoming an attorney. His life’s gameplan changed in an instant on September 11, 2001, his sophomore year in college.

“I had an immediate calling to serve, so I put school on hold and joined the Marine Corps Reserves,” James recalls. “I was called up in 2003 and deployed to Iraq. When I returned to finish up my courses, it was a big election year, and a professor helped line me up with an internship with the Presidential campaign in Ohio, a major battleground state at the time.”

It was a taste of things to come suddenly put on hold, as Thomas was deployed to Iraq again in 2005. Shortly after his return home, James got a call from the White House with an offer for a job as a junior staffer. “It was an amazing experience,” James said. “But it wasn’t long before I joined the Commerce Department and started learning about the political process and understanding the impact legislators and committees have on the economy, business, and trade agreements. I was fascinated by it.”

In 2009, James joined the team supporting Congressman Duncan Hunter, a freshman legislator at the time and a fellow Marine and Iraq War veteran. Six years later, he jumped into the private sector with the National Defense Industrial Association, a trade group that counts Comtech as a member, where he was the chief representative before members of Congress and staff on policy matters impacting the defense industry.

His next stop was the Pentagon, where he served in several positions in the Department of Defense, most notably as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Undersecretary of the Air Force, and later as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Senate Affairs. In this capacity, James was a senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense, responsible for advocating the Department’s policies, strategies, and annual budget to the United States Congress as well as managing the Senate confirmation process for senior Department leadership positions to include the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense.

James has countless career highlights but includes his work to help get the Senate onboard to pass legislation that would ultimately create the Space Force among his top accomplishments. “That was such a unique experience, having a small part in the creation of a military service branch. And now the Space Force is a beneficiary of our comprehensive satellite ground station technologies.”

Hitting the Ground Running

Fresh off a four-year stint with Leidos, where he managed government affairs through a company reorganization and leadership change, James is already hard at work in the nation’s capital generating awareness around Comtech’s accomplishments and future roadmaps.

“Over the next 90 days, the focus will be on thoroughly understanding the core competencies and capabilities of the company and deploying best practices for re-invigorating a Comtech political action committee (PAC) and government affairs function,” James outlined. “We will ensure that the key lawmakers know the capabilities that Comtech brings to important commercial and government markets – from bridging the digital divide to empowering emergency services and warfighters with unprecedented connectivity.”

James points to Comtech’s groundbreaking connectivity solutions and technologies as one of several key factors in his decision to join the company. “For me, it’s always been about service and giving back, and I’m looking forward thinking out of the box with the Comtech team and solving the problems and challenges out there – for communities and our armed forces.”

He sees it as an obligation to ensure there’s adequate funding to enable warfighters to do their job effectively and as safely as possible. “The battlefield is constantly adapting and changing, and Comtech is consistently demonstrating the ability to provide new innovations that deliver an edge to U.S. and allied forces,” James explained. “A top priority will be showcasing our success stories and evolving requirements with legislators and policymakers who are considering bills and appropriations at a time when there’s a lot of pressure on the defense budget.”

James Thomas lives in Northern Virginia, a short drive from the Washington, DC corridor that has had such an impact on his life and career. “Washington has afforded me some incredible opportunities, and I’m looking forward to my best one yet at Comtech. I’ll be gleaning important insights from teams across Comtech and representing our people and breakthroughs on the Hill, where ultimately the rubber meets the road when it comes to gaining visibility and funding for our customers, partners, and game-changing solutions.”

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this blog article is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

The engaging panel topics ranged from 5G NTN and cybersecurity to MilSatCom, next-generation ground segment, and the convergence of satellite and cellular.

Comtech led a headline CEO panel of satellite operators, service providers, and innovative users of new age connectivity during a standing room only general session titled Are Satellite and Cellular Worlds Converging or Colliding?

During the high-profile discussion, panel members made it clear the industry is embracing convergence as an inevitable direction of the future.  

There was general consensus among the panelists that end users today don’t really care where connectivity is coming from, which is surprising given the diverse business models represented across the executive panel. “That bodes very well for companies like Comtech, as we continue to innovate new modem and ground system technologies to empower our customers with always on connectivity access regardless of the satellite orbit or frequency they’re operating within,” noted John Ratigan, Comtech Interim CEO, reflecting on the important conference panel.

Daniel Gizinski, Comtech’s Chief Strategy Officer, provided key insights during two conference panels, including one focused on Exploring Future Alternatives Beyond Starlink for Commercially Provided MilSatCom. The discussion involved SATCOM officials from the Space Force, the Department of Defense, and Amazon Kuiper and centered on improving rapid communications for US military forces with the deployment of LEO and MEO constellations.

“We’re seeing a big shift toward the need to pull together all of these disparate networks and legacy systems that weren’t designed or defined to interoperate,” Mr. Gizinski said during the panel that drew a big audience. “The need for complex orchestration capabilities increases exponentially, as well as the requirements for updated security policies and interfaces – all simultaneously.”

Mr. Gizinksi also provided keen insight during an informative panel on Space-Focused, Zero-Trust Cybersecurity for Hybrid Networks. “The fact that we’re sitting here on a panel representing equipment manufacturers, satellite operators alongside government agencies underscores the importance of designing and developing products with an eye toward cybersecurity from day zero,” Mr. Gizinski said following the discussion. “You can’t be successful at building and deploying products that are expected to be relied on over a long period of time without a focus on cyber assurance as a key part of overall mission assurance.”

Comtech’s Chief Technology Officer Anirban Chakraborty was featured on the panel titled 5G NTN: New Concepts and Use Cases to Achieve Mass Uptake. The group focused on the battle for market share in the 5G non-terrestrial networks sector, which is well underway with satellite operators, MNOs, and handset and equipment makers all vying for a position.

“The satellite-5G convergence is no longer a theory, it’s in front of us,” noted Anirban at the Satellite 2024 conference. “The term 5G NTN has been coined because eventually we will see not just satellite, but also high-altitude platforms. We will see drones, which are not traditional satellite infrastructure but are here today. We will see networks come into play and co-mingle, co-exist with 5G terrestrial systems.”

There was strong interest in the session called Designing the Digital Ground Segment of the Future, which provided an excellent opportunity for Comtech leaders to highlight the company’s vision of the future of ground infrastructure, and its exciting roadmap ahead.

Comtech has big advantages in developing next-gen digital ground systems, based on its work on the terrestrial and wireless side of the business. “We’ve already deployed in the cloud, and we have a lot of game-changing cloud partnerships,” Mr. Ratigan noted following Satellite 2024. “We have a strong understanding how standards are moving the industry forward, and we’re able to leverage our terrestrial and wireless experience and leadership in hybrid and multi-orbit networks for a real differentiator.”

On the heels of what the Satellite 2024 organizers are calling one of their most exciting conferences yet, with more than 15,000 attendees and new exhibitors from across the increasingly hybrid universe, Comtech played a pivotal role in the success of this year’s convention in Washington, DC.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this blog article is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

GlobalSat Mexico is an innovative satellite services provider that has connected businesses, schools, and entire communities across Mexico for more than 25 years. The company has plans to grow and meet the insatiable demand for connectivity by supporting more applications and expanding into new markets throughout Latin America.

To meet the challenge, the Mexico City-based satellite services firm has completed the installation of Comtech’s new next-generation VSAT network hub at its operations center in the border city of Tijuana. The smart satellite-based ground systems from Comtech, which have successfully exceeded performance goals during onsite trials, will replace the legacy systems and enable GlobalSat Mexico to provide and support a wide range of big and small bandwidth applications over a single platform.

Opening the Door to New Opportunities and Growth

With the revolutionary hub in place, Comtech and GlobalSat Mexico are installing hundreds of VSAT terminals as part of the deployment phase. The ground system will be set up to initially enable ATM transactions and services at bank branches throughout Mexico.

GlobalSat Mexico also plans to leverage the modular VSAT solution to quickly expand to thousands of sites to connect enterprise network applications, maritime vessels, as well as oil and gas drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico over the next year or two.

Ultimately, the satellite services provider plans to offer cellular backhaul over the Comtech next-gen VSAT network. The platform’s flexibility and scalability to support such a broad range of applications and markets is unprecedented. Typically, such a deployment would require separate networks. Comtech’s revolutionary solution, however, features a new D-RAM (Dynamic Return Access Modes) protocol for seamless switching between H-DNA and MF-TDMA waveforms that opens the door to new opportunities.

ATM transactions, for example, require relatively low bandwidth, while maritime broadband and trunking services delivered over cellular backhaul are much higher throughput applications. GlobalSat Mexico will deliver all of these services over a single Comtech next-gen VSAT system, an all-inclusive, intelligent software-defined platform capable of supporting networks of any size across any GEO, MEO or LEO satellite orbit.

While the network implementation is in an early stage, the GlobalSat Mexico team likes the versatility it’s already gleaning from the Comtech technology and the global team behind it. Proof in the field has earned strong confidence in the platform and accelerated plans for regionwide deployments.

“The difference is in the diversity of the Comtech next-gen VSAT system, which allows us to penetrate far more than the satellite market,” explained Eric Cataño, GlobalSat Mexico CEO. “We didn’t just exchange VSAT networks, we upgraded to a whole new level of capabilities. We now have the capacity to deliver traditional satellite services and the ability to leverage Comtech’s strengths in the terrestrial market. That combination enables GlobalSat Mexico to replicate our current services and expand into new applications across the Latin American region seamlessly and affordably.”

GlobalSat Mexico is eyeing the emergency services market, which is currently operated state-by-state, making for a disparate siloed approach. The provider plans to lean on Comtech’s breakthrough next-gen 911 know-how and technology leadership to bring cutting-edge capabilities to Mexico and beyond, greatly enhancing current emergency services via its newfound VSAT network.

Delivering the Difference

The key differentiator can be found in the flexibility of the new network. The ability to mesh capabilities over one platform powered by one intelligent hub has GlobalSat Mexico well positioned to collaborate with Comtech and orchestrate a layered network to support everything from ATMs to mining.

The open platform allows existing infrastructure to work alongside newly deployed and smarter terminals, while legacy components are switched out over time. What further sets Comtech’s breakthrough VSAT solution apart is its versatility. It doesn’t have just one or two sweet spots, but multiple niches where it excels equally – in banking, maritime, cellular network expansion, or mining, among a growing host of use cases and markets.

The ability to scale from very small networks to very large networks provides a future-proof platform that will allow GlobalSat Mexico to grow and expand, as Comtech’s next-gen VSAT can support more than 500,000 remote sites.

Comtech’s intelligent ground network deployment with GlobalSat Mexico is a great example of a real-life case study in performance, innovation, and price, unleashing new opportunities and growth.

GlobalSat Mexico made the choice to replace a longstanding network and provider with Comtech’s next-gen VSAT solution, CEO Cataño noted. “We are leveraging our new platform to empower new markets with an unprecedented level of versatile connectivity throughout Mexico and the Latin American region.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

The Korea Water Resources Corporation or K-Water, Republic of South Korea’s government-run water resource management agency, is on a multi-front mission to protect the region’s water for citizens and industries who depend on it every day.

The organization monitors the flow of water in rivers, streams, and the water system itself using an intelligent country-wide satellite-based ground network from Comtech, which helps enable teams to track weather trends and potential threats to South Korea’s water supply.

Comtech’s private, secure very small aperture terminal (VSAT) ground network was first deployed in 2023 to transport real-time data to K-Water’s state-of-the-art operations center in the city of Daejeon, where officials closely watch flow data and video surveillance of reservoirs, dams, and other key operations.

K-Water recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Comtech to further enhance the company’s next-generation VSAT capabilities—enabling the government agency to stay ahead of the increasing unpredictability of South Korea’s weather with a more resilient technologies and real-time data capabilities.

Staying Ahead of Increasingly Unpredictable Weather

K-Water has long relied on historical weather data to add a layer of preventive resource management to its proactive plan to reduce the severity of drought in the dry season and floods in the wet season on its overall operation. But times have changed.

The emerging challenge in recent years is more about the unpredictability and extreme nature of recent weather patterns. The agency has partnered with Comtech to deliver an upgraded ground system network to provide next-generation VSAT features intended to support future data analytics and smart network needs. Today, Comtech’s ELEVATE VSAT network is not only helping K-Water transport vast amounts of data, but the company’s VSAT systems are also helping support the orchestration of smart network management and analytic features by providing smart routing, reliable, and resilient paths for data delivery at any given moment.

The enhancements will sustain reliable network operations and minimize downtime even in the most challenging weather scenarios, which could ultimately lessen the impact of extreme weather. That’s a game changer considering the critical nature of drinking water availability for millions of people and industrial water supplies serving factories and businesses across the country – from Gimpo and Hwacheon in the North to Gwangju and Buson in the South.

Comtech’s intelligent, VSAT ground systems and private network cover more than 500 sites that collect and transmit data from sensors and nodes at key water stations throughout South Korea, where roads and terrestrial infrastructure and connectivity are limited or non-existent beyond the big cities.

The Comtech ground systems replaced another provider’s legacy offering with unprecedented resiliency and innovative capabilities to support a large network of sensor and hub installations designed to measure water in-flows and out-flows at reservoirs, rivers, and dams across the region.

Today, K-Water can collect enough precision data over the satellite network to see warning signs in advance of significant flooding or drought conditions. Officials can open and close water discharge gates at dams to help control the flow of water in specific areas, softening the blow of many extreme weather events.

Preventative maintenance data will also help K-Water avoid infrastructure degradation issues over time, keeping the integrity of critical operations and structures sound and free of most unplanned wear and tear repair issues and service disruptions.

Surveillance video feeds offer remote eyes on the entire water system operation, ensuring smooth operations and security aimed at protecting the country’s water supply from bad actors. The network also monitors itself against potential lengthy outages and interruptions in the event of natural or technical disasters and disruptions. Redundant network links are designed to engage in the event a primary link is knocked out for any reason to ensure minimum downtime.

On the Horizon

Comtech teams continue to collaborate and offer regular technical exchanges with the K-Water team and Korea Telecom, the satellite bandwidth provider. The Korean water management agency chose Comtech in part for the company’s differentiated expertise, technology, and experience enabling precision data and insights delivery across a wide range of industrial operations.

Comtech is currently managing many large VSAT ground networks around the world, which allow utility companies, for example, to operate and monitor electrical grids and gas pipelines by using enterprise systems in the range of about 1200 to 1300 sites.

Leveraging that vast knowledge, Comtech has approached the K-Water water resources management operation with a network designed to deliver assured communications features, which address the agency’s top priorities of the safety and availability of South Korea’s water.

To keep South Korea’s water flowing, it must have an intelligent ground system provider capable of keeping the enterprise-wide system management network up and running and transporting key operational data.

K-Water has a particular algorithm of operational redundancy that switches between multiple geostationary (GEO) satellite gateways or hubs to provide resiliency for failover scenarios. The new MoU between Comtech and K-Water affirms the success of the alliance to date with a focus on optimizing network redundancy and enabling a new level of data and insights collection and analytics at the K-Water NOC.

Comtech’s next-generation VSAT network features advanced capabilities, such as HDNA waveforms, spread spectrum, and TDMA return paths to meet K-Water’s current and future system management requirements.

As weather patterns become far less predictable and more extreme and complex, K-Water must have an intelligent ground system it can trust to retain optimal uptimes and deliver real-time critical insights that reflect current scenarios rather than outdated, historical seasonal data. Comtech and K-Water are already keenly focused on the horizon and optimizing the system to redefine a new level of maximum resiliency to further protect and effectively provide South Korea’s water for years to come.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Comtech’s transformational shift that started only 12 months ago is delivering results right out of the gate for the company, employees, and customers.

“Since day one of our One Comtech journey, we focused on delivering exceptional results for customers. Through our renewed and unified customer-centric approach, Comtech is leveraging our unique understanding of our customers’ needs to succeed in global markets,” noted Comtech CEO Ken Peterman. “Comtech is leading the way in delivering the blended, hybrid, smart-enabled solutions and services that can empower a truly connected planet.”

In June, Ken took the stage at Comtech’s first-ever investor day to tout the company’s new unified structure and detail Comtech’s commitment to embrace and enable the new world of converged networks and markets. “It’s what we refer to as unleashing the more comprehensive value creation of One Comtech,” explained Ken, outlining Comtech’s ability to move beyond a siloed business structure to exploit the opportunities that come with market convergence.

The move to One Comtech has also driven efficiencies and streamlined focus, which has quickly contributed to a string of major commercial and government market wins at the outset of the company’s new fiscal year.  

Big Deals on the Heels of Big Collective Change

“Comtech is better positioned than ever to attract and retain the right people and create the right environment to thrive,” said Maria Hedden, Comtech’s Chief Operating Officer. Redundancies were drastically reduced, key business processes were standardized, and, as a result, Comtech’s people and teams are better equipped to collaborate, innovate and meet our customer commitments in rapidly evolving markets.

Comtech’s customers have responded to the transformation. Comtech was just awarded up to $544 million to provide the U.S. Army with onsite professional engineering services and market leading satellite and terrestrial networking communications technologies for Global Field Service Representative (GFSR) support. This task order was awarded on Comtech’s existing contract with the U.S. Army, which leverages the ten-year, $5.1 billion Global Tactical Communications Systems (GTACS) II indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. Comtech was initially selected as one of multiple GTACS II IDIQ awardees in 2020.

The GFSR program provides ongoing communications and IT infrastructure support for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and NATO, allowing U.S. and coalition forces to maintain robust, resilient, and secure connectivity for global all-domain operations.

The U.S. Army also awarded Comtech $48.6 million this fall for next-generation Enterprise Digital Intermediate Frequency Multi-Carrier (EDIM) modems in support of its digitization and modernization programs.

Comtech will design, develop, test, and deliver EDIM modems to replace aging military platforms and ultimately enable the Department of Defense (DoD) to move critical digitized data across hybrid satellite network architectures. The newfound capabilities will allow warfighters to simultaneously operate on multiple networks, easily roam across orbital regimes and blend traditionally disparate networks to maintain an information advantage in the world’s most challenging and adversarial geographies.

“This strategic contract award further illustrates the trust of our DoD customers in Comtech’s ability to deliver innovative software-defined solutions that meet the mission demands of today and the future,” explained Ken. “Our EDIM modems will be designed to continuously evolve over time to introduce performance enhancements that can significantly improve all-domain mission effectiveness.”

The DoD also recently selected Comtech for an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract award worth up to $3.2 billion over a ten-year period of performance. Comtech is one of multiple awardees under this Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Gateway to Sustainment (G2S) contract, which enables the DoD and other U.S. Government customers to purchase a wide range of capabilities and services from multiple vendors in support of the Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) operations.

“This award further demonstrates the value our battle-proven, open architecture C5ISR capabilities can bring to warfighters operating in all-domain environments,” explained Ken. Comtech’s technologies available under this IDIQ multiple award contract (MAC) are designed to evolve over time to infuse new smart-enabled services and insightful applications that can help the DoD maintain a strategic advantage in a world of technology-driven deterrence.

“With our organizational transformation, the U.S. Government and our commercial customers can pull from all the technologies and expertise across Comtech and our collaborative solutions with integration partners around the world,” Ken added. “That’s a huge benefit and advantage Comtech brings to the markets we serve and a big driver behind our enduring customer wins.”

Comtech’s portfolio of defense and security technologies is designed to deliver the integrated communications capabilities needed to enhance Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control operations and deploy customized, interoperable, robust, and resilient communications systems and services for all branches of the DoD, as well as collation forces.

Comtech’s Public Safety Offerings Continue to See Growth

In July, the State of Ohio provided Comtech with initial funding of $21 million on a contract (with a total expected value of approximately $85 million) to design, deploy and operate Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) services.

Comtech’s end-to-end NG9-1-1 systems will provide Ohio citizens with new public safety technologies, precise location-based services, and secure and reliable communications capabilities when they matter most. Through use of an Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network, Comtech’s NG9-1-1 services will provide a seamless, coordinated, and efficient statewide system that is available in every jurisdiction throughout Ohio.

“9-1-1 systems play a critical role in our daily lives, and we look forward to serving the citizens of Ohio by delivering Comtech’s comprehensive NG9-1-1 services that will significantly enhance overall response capabilities during an emergency,” said Ken.

According to Frost and Sullivan, Comtech was the second leading NG9-1-1 primary contract holder at the end of 2022 with an estimated market share of 22.3%.  The Company currently provides next-generation 9-1-1 services for more than one-thousand public safety agencies across North America and offers one of the most complete end-to-end in-house systems available.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has more than 4.5 million Pennsylvania citizens in 42 counties, roughly 35 percent of the state, covered by Comtech’s NG9-1-1 services. History was made in the state of Pennsylvania in September, when the one-millionth 9-1-1 call on Comtech’s platform came in for law enforcement response in the city of Erie, PA.

In addition, Comtech’s contract supporting a major Tier 1 mobile network operator (MNO) in routing and location delivery with 9-1-1 calls was extended for another year, effective Oct. 1, 2023. The extension of our critical recurring services demonstrates the strength and quality of the services that are being provided by Comtech and the substantial value to the company’s expansive and growing list of carrier customers.

Comtech looks to expand its highly successful next generation wireless emergency communications service capabilities and community reach in the coming months and years through continued investment and new product introductions, including 988 solutions, data analytics and insights atop existing 9-1-1 offerings, allowing for more precision to the location and movement of objects and individuals around emergency locations.

The Road Ahead

As Comtech honed its business down to two core segments, it has been able to deliver on increased customer satisfaction and on-time delivery. The company has also implemented key performance indicators to measure, improve, and execute to drive empowerment at the lowest possible level to ensure we’re meeting customer commitments.

The One Comtech transformation is well underway but far from complete. “The company is committed to making the tough but impactful decisions that create greater financial flexibility and stronger future opportunities,” said Ken.

Ken took the opportunity to congratulate the Comtech team on a successful fiscal 2023 during the Q4 2023 earnings call on October 12, and pointed to the One Comtech-driven positive start to fiscal year 2024. “I am excited about the momentum we are building as we progress on our One Comtech journey,” Ken told investors. “Going forward, I’m excited that we are already realizing significant strategic wins and material results that stem directly from our actions. Our implementation of standard tools, procedures, and process discipline across the enterprise have been a key driving factor in the improvements we are seeing in our balance sheet and our performance.”

Comtech’s performance over the past fiscal year is validating the One Comtech approach. The company is riding a wave of efficiency and collaborative success that has already had a significant impact on product development, market demand, and customer satisfaction.

“These recent contracts and successes represent only the leading edge of new customer engagements, and it is clear we are establishing valuable, long-term partnerships,” Ken noted. “For our shareholders, the transformational One Comtech restructuring initiatives and forward-facing investments in innovation are already delivering revenues and margin improvement and creating value today.”

The differentiated expertise and diversity of perspective is enabling Comtech’s people to collaborate with customers like never before, Ken shared. “Leveraging our unique culture of innovation and technology leadership is resulting in our winning significant strategic new business and strengthening our core market positions.”

Read the company’s latest shareholder letter here to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Operations in Contested/Congested Satellite Environments

Intro

In our increasingly interconnected world, satellite communications have become a cornerstone of modern communication networks, enabling global connectivity for everything from connecting rural communities to navigation and surveillance. However, according to US Space Command (August 31, 2023), as the demand for satellite bandwidth grows and more actors enter the space arena, the once-uncongested satellite environment is becoming increasingly contested. The contention poses significant challenges to traditional satellite communications systems, leading to exploration of alternative solutions. One such solution that has gained renewed attention is tropospheric scatter, or Troposcatter, communications.

Contested Satellite Environment

Satellite communication has long been favored for its ability to provide wide coverage and high bandwidth connectivity across vast distances. This advantage, however, according to the European Space Agency (April 21, 2022), has led to an overcrowded space environment. A similar finding by the Union of Concerned Scientists (January 1, 2023), indicates that governments, militaries,  and corporations,  are launching more satellites into orbit, resulting in increased competition for radio frequency (RF) spectrum and potential interference issues. Moreover, the emergence of anti-satellite technologies and rapid evolution of satellite-targeted cyber threats have raised concerns about the reliability and security of traditional satellite communications systems.

Understanding Troposcatter Communication

Troposcatter communications is a technology that leverages the scattering of radio waves in the Earth’s troposphere – the lower portion of the atmosphere – to establish communications links over distances  beyond the radio horizon or beyond line of site (BLOS). Today, modern Troposcatter technologies send signals towards the troposphere, where they interact with atmospheric particles and scatter in various directions. A receiver located within the scatter region can pick up the signal enabling robust, resilient, and secure communications between the transmitter and receiver.

Advantages in Contested Environments

 Comtech’s next generation Troposcatter Family of Systems offer several advantages in contested satellite environments:

1. Resistance to Jamming: Unlike traditional satellite signals that can be vulnerable to jamming or interference, Troposcatter signals are more resistant due to their reliance on atmospheric scattering. Attempts to jam a Troposcatter link would require jamming a significant portion of the Earth’s atmosphere, making such efforts impractical.
2. Reduced Susceptibility to Cyberattacks: Troposcatter connections provide a smaller attack surface than broad area satellite beams, increasing the difficulty, cost, and complexity of launching a successful cyberattack. This inherent security advantage makes Troposcatter an attractive option for transmitting sensitive information.
3. Distributed Architecture: Troposcatter technologies are designed with distributed architecture, enabling multiple relay stations to create a network that can adapt to changing conditions. This flexibility is particularly valuable in contested environments where fixed satellite infrastructure might be compromised.
4. Lower Latency: Modern Troposcatter systems offer lower latency compared to satellite communications, as the signal does not have to travel all the way to space and back. This can be crucial for real-time applications like video conferencing or remote-control critical systems.
5. Spectrum Efficiency: As spectrum becomes a limited resource in contested environments, Troposcatter can make more efficient use of available frequency bands, potentially mitigating spectrum congestion.

Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems

Comtech’s portfolio of defense and security technologies, including the company’s Troposcatter FoS, are uniquely positioned to deliver capabilities that will enhance Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) operations. The company has extensive experience developing and deploying customized, interoperable, robust, and resilient communications systems for all branches of the DOD and coalition forces. Comtech’s expansive portfolio of defense and security technologies is designed to continuously evolve over time to meet emerging Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) use cases and enhance mission effectiveness in future all domain command and control operations.

This article is the fifth in a series that will focus on important Troposcatter use cases including: Relay Link Replacement, Troposcatter Communications on the Move, Obstructed Line of Sight Communications, Operations in Contested/Congested Satellite Environments, and Extension of Services.

Comtech’s Troposcatter FoS meets the CJADC2 communication needs. Contact a Comtech representative at contact us, to discuss how Comtech’s Troposcatter FoS can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your organization

 Learn more about the Troposcatter Family of Systems below.

1. Introduction

2. Relay Link Replacement

3. Communications on the Move

4. Obstructed Line of Sight

5. Operations in Contested / Congested Environments

Investors given look at company’s transformation and roadmap at new technology center in Chandler, AZ

Investors gathered at Comtech’s new state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing center in Chandler, Arizona for a day of firsts. In mid-June, a group of institutional investors and some of the company’s largest shareholders converged on Arizona’s sprawling tech corridor for Comtech’s historic, first-ever Investor Day, which featured an energized and revamped executive team. They were also among the first to see the new cutting-edge facility in Chandler during a series of tours and presentations.

Comtech CEO Ken Peterman proudly revealed the cornerstone of the company’s One Comtech transformation and the importance of hosting the company’s first Investor Day at its new Chandler facility.

“The selection of our Chandler facility is no arbitrary choice for our first Investor Day, because the work we’re doing here is central to some of the most innovative technology and business initiatives taking place at Comtech,” noted Ken.

Peterman also pointed to the energy, dedication, and hard work of Comtech’s refreshed leadership team as evidence of a company-wide commitment to embrace and deliver on “the rapidly accelerating pace of change” across increasingly converged networks and global technology markets.

“Comtech is uniquely positioned to lead the way, but it’s important to understand that what comes next is not about individual system components as it has been in the past,” Ken shared, outlining the company’s new strategic approach. “Comtech is preparing for a world where there’s not only value in building data transport infrastructure, but also a world where the infrastructure itself is sophisticated and intelligent. We have set forth on a comprehensive strategy to reshape the enterprise, enhance operational efficiency, and usher in a new era of hybridized connectivity.”

The CEO also credits collaboration, integration and convergence on multiple levels, and “our ability to move beyond our historically siloed business structure to exploit the opportunities that market convergences promise, for the ultimate success of One Comtech.

The One Comtech Journey

With a year under her belt as Comtech’s Chief Operating Officer, Maria Hedden outlined annual costs savings to the tune of about 30%, driven by standardizing business processes and operations as well as rolling out a single business enterprise system, among other key initiatives.

She chuckles when asked why Comtech has two different business segments – satellite and space, and terrestrial and wireless – under one roof. “When I started a year ago, we had effectively 14 different business units, which were more or less operating independently,” Maria noted.

The company has consolidated 14 sets of vendors, 14 approaches to legal and contractual obligations, multiple software platforms and offices, and multiple redundant business functions with a lean organizational model “that enables us to respond to business operations with pace and purpose,” said Maria. “The entire One Comtech transformational process is not a project, it’s a journey defined by continuous evaluation, adaptation, and improvement, which means that my job is never done.”

Terrestrial Excellence

Leaders of Comtech’s Terrestrial and Wireless Business like to describe the segment by saying, “we enable the most important call you will ever make.” It’s a nod to what has historically been the primary business line of Comtech’s terrestrial business.

“If anyone in the room has ever made a 911 call, there is a 60% chance that you have used a Comtech product or service. In fact, for any mobile network operator using network-based location services, Comtech has over 60% of the 5G market in North America,” said Tim Jenkins, President of Comtech’s Terrestrial and Wireless Business. “Our expertise in terrestrial sets us up well for the future we see, where we expect the borders between terrestrial and non-terrestrial to collapse and networks and communications infrastructure to hybridize.”

“When we layer applications like Earth Observation data atop our 911 services to add precision to the movement of objects or individuals around emergency locations, we build growth on top of our current service,” explained Nicole Robinson, Comtech’s Chief Growth Officer. “The geospatial industry has experienced a significant trend over the last two years. There’s a movement away from raw pixels now to insights, fused and processed data that will enable a decision maker to act quickly.”

During an Investor Day recap, Nicole also noted that Comtech is building on its proven market leadership in next-generation 911 (NG9-1-1) services by expanding into new areas, like 988—the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline).

“Comtech offers one of the most comprehensive NG9-1-1 end-to-end in-house systems available today,” said Nicole. “988 presents an opportunity to weave the national mental health safety net of the lifeline into the fabric of the crisis care continuum. In our view, increased collaboration between 911 systems and 988 can provide more options for those in facing a crisis.”

Nicole went on to note that integrating 988 with 911 emergency response, such as dispatching specialized mobile teams to individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis, can help improve comprehensive services and create greater coordination of tailored care options like crisis stabilization units.

Satellite and Space Opportunities

When it comes to Comtech’s Satellite and Space segment, leaders told the Investor Day audience “if you’ve ever watched a show on satellite TV, there’s a 70% chance it’s Comtech that made the equipment that made the connection possible. Like our terrestrial business, the DNA of our satellite business is defined by a simple truth: our equipment must work any time, every time and in any environment.”

Within Comtech’s Satellite and Space segment, Troposcatter equipment was highlighted as a great example of the company’s technologies that are proven to deliver advanced communications capabilities in the harshest environments. Comtech’s Troposcatter Family of Systems (FoS) are currently being deployed by Ukraine’s armed forces as well as the U.S. military, which means these systems have been proven to stand up to some of the most challenging government or commercial operations in the world.

There are multiple non-defense use cases for Troposcatter technologies, including disaster response where the systems work even when there’s no operating infrastructure. Commercial users can leverage Comtech’s FoS to leapfrog geographic obstacles that would prevent cell towers or cable systems from connecting people.

The company’s leadership team called it a perfect storm for Comtech, where increasing bandwidth, increasing speeds, assured connectivity, and declining cost curves will lead to the marriage of satellite and terrestrial and the creation of hybrid networks that will drive broader and deeper adoption of blended capabilities. Through the company’s differentiated expertise, proven technology leadership, and signature culture of innovation, Comtech is in a unique position to truly lead the way when it comes to technology convergence and smart networks.

The Power of Convergence and Partnerships

“One thing we believe in strongly at Comtech is the fundamental value of connectivity,” explained Daniel Gizinski, Comtech’s Chief Strategy Officer. “The kinds of hybrid technologies that Comtech is developing and building in this (Chandler) facility today can be delivered in a fraction of the time it takes current platforms to close the digital divide and empower our customers with new services,” he noted.

Daniel pointed to an example in Kentucky, where federal programs are connecting rural areas with a buildout of fiber. “This is a good solution as long as time doesn’t matter, because it will take up to five years for the network to reach and serve the people it’s supposed to connect. We’re working hard to help defense and commercial customers understand the benefits of blending satellite and terrestrial networks to create a single unified network that can connect the unconnected and underserved and do so virtually overnight.”

ABI Research is forecasting a little over 50 billion connected IoT devices by the end of 2027, or close to an average of six connected devices for every human on Earth. That data will be collected, and somebody must make sense of it, noted Comtech Chief Technology Officer, Anirban Chakraborty. Comtech is already playing a big role in enabling the increasingly connected world, but EVOKE, Comtech’s Innovation Foundry, leverages powerful partnerships to make the most of converging technologies and blended, layered capabilities.

During Investor Day, Anirban participated in a panel discussion with some of the company’s EVOKE technology partners, including augmented intelligence of things innovator Sirqul, data intelligence company Descartes Labs, and edge computing software-as-a-service provider Aarna Networks.

“Sometimes I think they are not partners, they are more like co-workers,” noted Anirban. “Collectively, we are bringing forward new layered capabilities at an unprecedented rate. Descartes Labs, for example, is integrating their cloud-native supercomputer and data processing capabilities with Comtech’s communications technologies to provide customers with powerful new insights and services.”

Nicole Robinson further emphasized the value of partnerships and the power of convergence as it relates to some of the company’s focus areas for the future.

“Given the momentum we have generated as a result of our discovery phase and the move to One Comtech, we are now in an unparalleled position to prosecute new adjacent growth market opportunities,” said Nicole. “One example is ground systems as a service (GSaaS). Standing on the shoulders of our global technology leadership in ground infrastructure, there is now an opportunity to build upon that expertise with deployed global infrastructures to support both satellite communications customers as well as geospatial and earth observation customers.”

Nicole noted this convergence will also move Comtech into new service-based business models. Beyond GSaaS, Nicole outlined opportunities related to digitization, Comtech’s network agnostic Cloud Dynamic Platform, geospatial intelligence, and location-based services, among other efforts.

“Investor Day provided us with a unique opportunity to highlight some of the exciting growth markets we’re embarking on over the next few months and years,” said Nicole. “Our strategic partners and differentiated expertise during this time of global technology convergence place Comtech in a unique position to not only capitalize on new business opportunities, but truly transform the global technology landscape and make a positive and lasting impact in communities around the world.”

Ken Peterman closed out the historic Investor Day by sharing a few comments offered by customers during recent workshops Comtech hosted. “We’re excited to hear customers say ‘we love what Comtech is doing. We love the technology trajectory they’re on. We used to think of them as the modem guys or the amplifier guys, and wow, they can do a lot more than that.’ And it’s not just our customers who are excited–our organization is excited. One Comtech is working. It’s all around us. We’re in the middle of a massive transformation. And we’re just getting started.”

Click here to watch a replay of Comtech’s full Investor Day.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this blog post contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.