DSEI UK 2025: New COMINT systems from TCI sharpen EW capabilities

TCI, a division of SPX Communications Technologies, has unveiled two new radio frequency receivers designed for communications intelligence, or COMINT, operations. The 955 Rackmount RF COMINT and Geolocation System and the 957 Rackmount RF COMINT and Independent Geolocation System are intended for continuous, real-time signal collection in electronic warfare settings, the company explains in a September 2 press release. TCI will exhibit the systems for the first time at DSEI UK 2025, being held from 9-12 September in London.

Let’s start by explaining why this type of equipment is important. COMINT (COMmunications Intelligence) is the collection and interpretation of enemy communications signals. It is a part of the wider discipline of signals intelligence (SIGINT). The aim of COMINT is to learn from an adversary, either by intercepting communications, geolocating them, and understanding communications patterns. If an adversary does not have good comms discipline, it is quite possible to accurately locate a headquarters using COMINT alone. Russian forces have doctrine that would allow them to strike a target based on its COMINT signal, but this would likely require additional confirmation in a Western force. Nonetheless, identifying enemy forces and learning from them is key to understanding what a force is facing, and positioning its assets accordingly. So, with that out of the way, let’s take a look at the 955 Rackmount and 957 Rackmount systems from TCI. 

The new systems are engineered to detect, filter, and geolocate RF communication signals in environments with a high density of signals. They feature an 80 MHz instantaneous bandwidth, which refers to the range of radio frequencies that the receiver can process at any single moment. A wider bandwidth, like the 80 MHz available here, allows for the collection of more signals simultaneously, providing a broader picture of the RF environment. This can be used for wide-area signal collection or adjusted for increased sensitivity in challenging RF conditions.

Both systems combine two geolocation techniques—Hybrid Angle of Arrival (AOA) and Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA)—to pinpoint signal locations with fewer deployed assets. AOA determines the location of a signal by measuring the direction from which it is received. TDOA works by measuring the tiny differences in the time it takes for a signal to arrive at multiple receivers, then using these time differences to calculate the signal’s location.

Their rugged, rack-mounted design allows for deployment in vehicles, fixed installations, and forward field positions, the press release states. The systems are also built to be adaptable, with the ability to switch roles for use in counter-terrorism, border security, or combat without needing to be reconfigured.

The 955 model is optimised for single-unit, vehicle-mounted, or stand-alone operations, while the 957 has enhanced processing capacity for simultaneous, independent tasking and networked multi-sensor geolocation. A 72-hour look-back recording feature enables operators to identify a new threat and analyse historical spectrum activity. This feature, which also supports remote monitoring, is designed to reduce the manpower required for continuous 24/7 operations. An accompanying database stores intelligence for extended analysis. EW specialists tend to be very highly sought-after resources, with up to three-times the training of a regular infantryman in terms of years. They may be language specialists as well as experts in the electromagnetic spectrum. So, reducing the need for them to operate a system constantly is likely to be valuable to many users. 

The systems operate using TCI’s proprietary Blackbird software, which is currently in use on nearly 1,000 systems globally. According to the company, the software’s interface is designed to reduce training time and allows for less experienced operators to perform COMINT tasks, while also enabling skilled personnel to manage systems remotely.

The 955 and 957 systems will be on display at DSEI UK 2025 at Stand N6-130.

Calibre comment

Drones have understandably captured the imagination and attention of many in the defence ecosystem, and rightly so. One aspect of Western forces that is decidedly less-noticed, however, is their ability to operate in and contest the electromagnetic spectrum. This is an area of weakness that was known long before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and was especially stark in the face of Russia’s diverse EW capabilities. There are programmes to address this deficiency throughout Europe, but the challenge for EW operators is that their work tends to be so tightly classified that it will never reach the public domain. However, we can at least examine and monitor the new EW systems entering the market to understand what it might be possible for Western EW operators to achieve. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 3 September, 2025. Credit for the lead image is TCI. It shows one of the new systems installed on a vehicle.