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Romania is stepping confidently into the future of electronic defense, and we at SPX Communication Technologies are proud to highlight the instrumental role that TCI International, Inc. has played in this milestone. On May 7, 2025, the School for Communications, Information Technology and Cyber Defense Training in Sibiu officially inaugurated its new Spectrum and GPS Signal Monitoring Laboratory. This cutting-edge facility isn’t just a room filled with advanced technology – it’s a training ground for the next generation of spectrum analysts, COMINT operators, and electronic warfare (EW) professionals.

A World-Class Collaboration

The laboratory is the result of a unique collaboration between Romania’s Ministry of National Defense (MApN), StarC4Sys S.R.L.; a 100% Romanian-owned company – and TCI International, Inc., one of the world’s most respected names in spectrum monitoring, signal geolocation, and RF intelligence systems.

From the initial concept to full execution, TCI played a pivotal role by contributing its Blackbird software suite, integrated into over ten high-performance workstations that now form the backbone of the training environment.

Why This Matters

In today’s operational landscape, control of the electromagnetic spectrum is as critical as control of land, sea, and air. The lab in Sibiu addresses this exact need: enabling real-world training in the identification, classification, and geolocation of RF signals – including GPS interference, using the same platforms relied on by NATO members and other global defense agencies.

“Success is the combination of cutting-edge technology and applied education. This lab offers exactly that mix.”
— Lieutenant General Cristian Daniel Dan, Commander of NATO Southeast Multinational Corps Command

Inside the Lab: Built for the Future

The laboratory is unmatched in Romaniaand rare even globally. It is equipped with:

• TCI Blackbird Software for live and offline signal monitoring
• Snapshot Radio for broadband recording analysis
• Integration-ready for TCI Spectrum Monitoring technology and BlackTalon C-UAS (Counter-UAS) solutions
• Ergonomic design, climate control, multimedia projection, and structured cabling built for long-term, adaptable use

Instructors can simulate live operational scenarios, track student response in real time, and tailor training to multiple experience levels – from basic to mission-ready.

A Gift with Purpose

This laboratory wasn’t built on a government contract or tender, it was a voluntary donation, initiated by TCI and StarC4Sys, to elevate the technical training environment of Romania’s military education system.

The total value of the donation exceeds half a million euros, but its real value lies in its impact – on education, on national defense, and on Romania’s ability to independently train and deploy skilled electromagnetic analysts.

“We donated this technology because Romania needs people capable of using it. These people become security multipliers.”
George-Cristian Ghimfus, Founder of StarC4Sys

TCI’s Legacy in Romania

This isn’t TCI’s first contribution to Romanian education. In 2024, a similar lab was inaugurated at the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, serving civilian applications of spectrum monitoring. Together, these facilities create a comprehensive ecosystem for developing national expertise in electromagnetic spectrum operations, both civilian and military.

Looking Ahead

This is only the beginning. Future development plans for the Sibiu lab include:

• Integration of live signal acquisition systems
• Deployment of TCI’s BlackTalon anti-drone technology for C-UAS operator training
• Introduction of the Overwatch COMINT database for advanced signal intelligence operations

With these expansions, the lab is poised to become not just a national resource, but a regional center of excellence in electronic warfare training.

Conclusion

SPX Communication Technologies is proud to be part of a network that champions not only technological superiority, but also human development.  We are helping Romania train its future defenders in a world where invisible threats demand visible skill.

This strong and consolidated partnership will bring new opportunities in enhancing the security of Romania, along with raising the capabilities in electromagnetic spectrum monitoring in both military and civilian specific domain. This lab is more than an investment in infrastructure – it’s an investment in sovereignty, resilience, and global interoperability.

Stay tuned as we continue supporting projects that advance spectrum awareness, electronic defense, and national security.

Find out more about our collaborative technologies here: https://ustti.org/tci-modern-spectrum-monitoring-and-management-techniques/.

As modern battlefields evolve, the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has introduced new challenges across military, border security, and critical infrastructure environments.

At SPX Communication Technologies, we address this threat with a cutting-edge, layered Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) strategy that ensures battlespace superiority – powered by the BLACKTALON Ecosystem.

Softkill vs. Hardkill: Why Both Matter in C-UAS Defense

In the complex domain of UAS threat mitigation, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. While hardkill solutions (e.g., kinetic interceptors and gun systems) offer physical takedown capabilities, they often face limitations in accuracy, range, and deployment conditions. This is where softkill solutions play a vital role – especially in directional jamming.

Directional jamming is not only cost-effective but also capable of engaging threats at significant distances, giving operators critical time to react and respond. When paired with hardkill systems, it forms a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy.

SPX Communication Technologies’ BLACKTALON Ecosystem excels at delivering multi-layered softkill capabilities that complement kinetic responses and provide flexible, scalable protection.

Directional vs. Omni: The Right Tool for Every Tactical Situation

Every mission requires the right tool – and in C-UAS operations, antenna selection is paramount:

• True Omni-Directional Antennas: Best suited for last-mile defense, providing 360° coverage for immediate threats but with limited range.
• Directional Jammers: Offer focused, long-range disruption, ideal for pre-emptive threat engagement.
• Multi-Band Directional Jammers: Provide broad frequency coverage, efficient RF generation, and precise targeting of drone control and navigation signals.
• Integrated C2 Systems: Enable real-time threat analysis and optimized jamming effectiveness, tailored to the mission at hand.

The BLACKTALON Ecosystem unifies these capabilities to deliver unmatched versatility in contested electromagnetic environments.

Range Matters: Gaining Time and Tactical Advantage

Effective C-UAS strategies are built around the principle of early detection and engagement. The BLACKTALON Ecosystem enables:

• Long-Range Detection and Mitigation: Giving operators the advantage of reaction time.
• Targeted Energy Deployment: Maximizes disruption over broad operational areas.
• Close-In Response Capability: Ensures rapid neutralization of immediate threats with pinpoint accuracy.

In the battlespace, where seconds can define outcomes, range is not just a feature, it’s a necessity.

Future-Proofing the Fight Against Evolving UAS Threats

The battlespace is dynamic. So is the BLACKTALON Ecosystem. Designed with adaptability and scalability in mind, it ensures readiness for both current and future challenges:

• Modular, Software-Defined Radios (SDRs): Easily reconfigured to address evolving threat profiles.
• Centralized Command and Control: Supports multiple, simultaneous operations with streamlined coordination.
• Network-Capable Architecture: Seamless integration across platforms and mission scenarios.
• Mission-Specific Optimization: Quickly adapt to terrain, threat type, and operational goals.

Our future-proof approach ensures your forces are never behind the curve.

Get mission-ready: BLACKTALON Ecosystem

Conclusion: Total Spectrum Dominance in the C-UAS Battlespace

In today’s battlespace, defeating UAS threats demands speed, adaptability, and layered capability. SPX Communication Technologies delivers this through the BLACKTALON Ecosystem – a scalable, networked, and directional C-UAS solution designed for total electromagnetic spectrum control.

Whether your mission is force protection, base defense, or convoy security, our technology gives you the power to detect, disrupt, and dominate.

Stay ahead. Stay secure. Stay BLACKTALON.

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👉 Dive deeper and learn more about how we can assist your mission: Spectrum Dominance in the Battlespace