Tim Winter oversees the corporate strategy and leads the iDirectGov team to bring solutions to the military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) arena. He brings more than 20 years of experience in satellite communications.
Prior to joining iDirect Governement Winter served as vice president of global accounts and global government & defense at parent company ST Engineering iDirect. Winter managed all strategic global account engagements and capture pursuits for International Defense opportunities.
Previously, he managed the satellite networks division at L-3 Communications where he led all sales and business development efforts for managed satellite communication, data networks and operational field services.
Winter served in the U.S. Navy and flew P-3 Orion aircraft as a Naval flight officer on active duty for eight years. He continued his service in the United States Navy Reserves, flying P-3 aircraft and the BAMS-D UAV through 2022. He recently retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of commander.
Tim has a master’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University, Washington, DC, and a bachelor of science degree as a Trident Scholar from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He is chairman of the board for the Minerallac Company.
Mr.Winter, more than a year has passed since you took over the top position at iDirectGov. What are your major accomplishments in this timeframe?
Tim Winter
Tim Winter
It’s been a great year, and I have been able to build upon iDirect Government’s outstanding heritage of serving the warfighter and government customers with secure connectivity anytime and anyplace.
To date, we have pushed to create an even more resilient, secure and seamless satellite communications environment. The team continues innovating and creating advanced solutions. Many of these innovations build upon our specialized Communication Signal Interference Removal™ (CSIR™) technology, which features crypto-agility, anti-jam and strengthened security for the tactical edge and warfighter.
We debuted the REVOLUTION 450mp software defined radio (SDR) modem that extends satellite communications orbit and waveform choices for the warfighter, regardless of their location. Plus, we introduced the new Evolution Defense 4.6.1 software, delivering improved security, strengthened transmission security (TRANSEC) and augmented CSIR technology.
We saw a need for better mission readiness with training and we integrated our Tactical Hub with a partner, Tampa Microwave and its Quad Band Satellite Simulator (QBSS).
This provides an end-to-end system validation, radio frequency (RF) equipment testing, training, maintenance and pre-deployment exercises of hub and remote terminals in a simulated satellite network of as many as 1,000 remotes within a range of 300 feet.
These accomplishments are the result of a bright and dedicated team who work to modernize the military and meet the ever-changing needs of our customers in the new space war.
How did your interest develop in satellite communications in general, and, more specifically, in MILSATCOM?
Tim Winter
First and foremost, I was a user of satellite communications as a Naval aviator. Early in my career, we relied on narrowband MILSATCOM capabilities and networks. Later, I used both narrowband and wideband SATCOM networks. The necessity and capability set provided by SATCOM immediately stoked my interest.
Given your U.S. Navy experience as a Naval aviator and retiring with the rank of Commander, what drew you into the military communications market segment to initiate a new career?
Tim Winter
It was a bit of an interesting path into the military communications market. Following my time as an active-duty Naval aviator, I joined Northrop Grumman to assist with its advanced ISR future technologies. After a stint there and a few years at business school, I went into the downstream oil and gas industry only to eventually find my way back into the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) satellite communications market. I was more than happy to be back supporting the greatest customers in the world.
How do you see your U.S. Navy experience assisting you with the executive leadership of iDirect Government?
Tim Winter
My time in the U.S. Navy greatly influenced my leadership and approach to individuals and organizations. To serve was an honor. Leading such a great group of individuals codified my approach to a servant leadership style. I have tried to bring this style to my leadership roles since leaving the Navy. Like the Navy, I am honored to lead the iDirect Government Team and the incredibly important customers that we serve.
What are the challenges encountered when promoting iDirectGov products to the various military segments to ensure they have the “latest and greatest” tech provided by the company?
Tim Winter
Not all SATCOM is created equally. Different technologies and different products and solution sets provide unique capabilities. Our goal continues to be a true partner with the end-user and highlight to them where our capabilities fit into their mission needs. We actively promote our products to the mission needs for which they are best fit. Does this mean we can’t be everything to everybody? Potentially. But I believe it allows us to be laser focused on the capabilities we can provide — and fulfill our goal of being the best provider of these capabilities.
How do you feel this opportunity will enhance and additionally drive iDirectGov to be considered as one of the trusted, major suppliers to organizations that are involved in national defense, here in the United States and with our Allies?
Tim Winter
Our goal at iDirectGov is to continually improve our product and service offerings to our customers. At the center of these efforts, are our advanced security features, resiliency and commitment to providing the most secure satellite communication links. Of note, many Allies of the United States operate iDirect-based networks. With the growing importance of coalition operations, this natural fit of interoperability makes iDirect a de facto solution for the U.S. government and our Allies.
How is the government assisting commercial companies, such as iDirectGov, in upgrading and supporting the capabilities of our Armed Forces through the passage of legislation and funding to provide the training and equipment necessary to field the crucial technology required to support warfighters?
Tim Winter
The provisioning of solutions and sales cycle with the U.S. government can be long. This, obviously, can be counterproductive to the rapidly evolving needs of the end-user. Recently, the DOD has embraced quicker, smaller Transactional Autorities that can lead to the expedited development of needed or advanced capabilities. iDirectGov is currently doing work for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) which is one of the other Transactional Authorities. We believe in this approach employed by the U.S. DOD and are very pleased to be supporting the DIU in the development of 5G co-interference.
Electronic Warfare (EW) is bringing new security concerns to MILSATCOM. What can be done to combat EW communications threats in the new space war?
Tim Winter
The new space war, with the rise in EW and jamming of communications networks, is certainly challenging. Malicious actors are always working to jam communications and thwart the efforts of troops on land, in the air and at sea.
To combat EW, countermeasures must be in place in every DOD solution. Signal excision technology is among the preferred choices to counter EW threats.
iDirectGov’s CSIR™ monitors and eliminates an interfering signal from the authorized signal in real-time, giving the DOD a leg up. And we know, CSIR excision technology effectively mitigates a wide range of interferers, from carrier waves to multiple strong interferers, without requiring prior information on them. It can locate fast-moving and intermittent interference and restore the quality of the original signal, without requiring additional hardware. This combats adversaries who are increasing their implementation of signal intelligence (SIGNET) to attack military and government spectrum use by jamming.
We know Defense-based networks must work in contested environments before, during and after the shooting starts. Anti- jam technologies, such as signal incision, are bringing secure satellite transmissions and enhanced systems to the ever- increasing mobile battlefield for data, voice, and command and control and other MILSATCOM.
The path forward for secure, interoperable communications in the wake of EW communications threats in the new space war involves CSIR signal excision technology that is effective, reliable, fast, trustworthy and secure.
iDirectGov is building an operational 5G co-channel interference mitigation solution prototype for the DIU. How critical is this development to the military?
Tim Winter
The DOD needs a connected battlefield without interference, and this contract to build an operational 5G co-channel interference prototype suits the specialized needs of the military.
iDirectGov’s 5G co-channel solution will mitigate interference for DIU mission partners, providing a critical capability to DOD users who experience 5G co-channel interference. This solution is built upon our CSIR technology, which delivers uninterrupted secure communications on any radio frequency to government users and allows them to thwart electronic warfare challenges.
As any signal interference is harmful to defense communications, our 5G co-channel capability will ensure our customers have the crucial interference mitigation tool that helps them with communications resiliency.
This initiative will open more communications avenues and improve interoperability across the military satellite sector.
We value partnerships with the DOD to bring innovations to the warfighter, enabling troops to meet mission success at the tactical edge. We look forward to continued work with the DOD to support clear lines of communication for critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), communications on the move (COTM), airborne and maritime communications in support of force protection, logistics, situational awareness, disaster recovery and emergency response.
We are hearing more about SATCOM interoperability. What are iDirectGov’s thoughts on breaking down the barriers and bringing interoperability to reality?
Tim Winter
In a perfect world, every SATCOM orbit and waveform would interoperate securely and effectively. This would provide users with options for their SATCOM and enable interoperable communications among various users and agencies, including with the DOD. Breaking down interoperability barriers means easier collaboration in times of disasters, emergencies and other events, as well as greater resiliency from provider outages, overloads, signal degradation, interference and signal loss.
Though interoperability is especially critical for MILSATCOM to ensure mission success, barriers such as technology, security and intellectual property secrets keep providers in the SATCOM ecosystem from sharing their proprietary information, which makes interoperability challenging.
How do we get there for interoperability to become a reality?
What is needed is a platform that seamlessly interoperates with various satellite services and waveforms. The key elements to this, as we see them, are virtualized waveforms and a platform that connects with various satellite services and waveforms. This is our idea to answer the interoperability challenge.
We believe that the best way to break down the obstacles and support interoperability is a Waveform Development Kit that streamlines the process of putting third-party waveforms on SDRs.
We consider our REVOLUTION 450mp SDR a real step forward for interoperability. The multi-waveform, multi-orbit SDR gives the DOD options for satellite orbits and waveforms, especially for mission-critical operations, including secure satellite communications and ISR. The man portable modem allows operators to build and run multi-orbital communications networks that can stand up to cyber and electronic warfare threats.
However, this SDR technology alone isn’t enough. We need modems that incorporate waveform virtualization and support third-party waveforms.
Our 450mp SDR, in conjunction with iDirectGov’s Waveform Development Kit, enables iDirectGov and third- party waveforms to be virtualized and run on the 4-Series platform. Security is accomplished with intellectual property protection. Third parties using iDirectGov’s Waveform Development Kit can provide an encrypted core to iDirectGov, thus protecting the intellectual property.
iDirect Government’s 4-Series suite of SDR modems, combined with the Waveform Development Kit, will provide maximum resilience, security, and SWaP for DOD customers while supporting commercial innovation and development by protecting IP with encryption and licensing options.
The ability of a single modem platform to react to the situation at hand provides massive flexibility and redundancy for users.
These specialized satellite modems are the path forward for defense communications. By operating in multiple orbits and waveforms, interoperability can be achieved. Additionally, defense users can select the satellite service provider of choice for their critical communications and have redundancy in operations should there be an outage.
The company established the iDirectGov Engineering Center of Excellence, where iDirectGov’s specialized engineers work on the most advanced, secure and resilient satellite ground systems and functionality.
How is this paving the path forward in security for MILSATCOM?
Tim Winter
Our Engineering Center of Excellence enables the company to better respond to ever-evolving EW and cyber threats and to meet defense and government requirements for faster-paced MILSATCOM innovation.
We’ve co-located the Center of Excellence with iDirect Government’s existing engineering team. This ensures that the in-field experience of the firm’s veterans contributes to building exceptional, high-performance products that withstand the most excruciating circumstances in the harshest of environments.
Coming out of the center are new SDR modems, defense platforms, and other military standard solutions. The center enables development of the most advanced features in our product portfolio, particularly in building security-focused solutions that meet the rugged needs of the warfighter and maximum satellite communications.
The center and the engineering team solve some of the most complex challenges facing defense and government today, allowing us to quickly and effectively address new jamming, cyber and EW threats.
How essential are multi-orbit multi-waveform capabilities for mission-critical operations?
Tim Winter
Defense and military customers fully expect and need flawless MILSATCOM when conducting missions. Multi-orbit, multi-waveform technology is the path to ensuring critical DOD communications.
By operating in multiple orbits and using multiple waveforms, defense users can select the satellite service provider of their choice and have redundancy in operations should there be a satellite communications outage. This is particularly important to support multi-mission capabilities for voice, data and video defense communications.
Multi-orbit/multi-constellation capability provides maximum communications spectrum potential with the least amount of risk for the military. And, as technologies always are advancing, multi-waveform is the future to satisfy the requirements of the MILSATCOM end-user.
Incorporating multiple waveforms in a single, compact modem required a new physical architecture to meet SWaP and industry requirements. SDRs that a multi-orbit, multi-waveform strategy; GEO, MEO, HEO and LEO orbits, and a variety of waveforms, meet those needs.
The future depends on implementing the best options for critical MILSATCOM to keep the homeland safe, and the best options include multi-orbit, multi-waveform connectivity.
You recently teamed with Tampa Microwave for the TerraNet mission readiness solution. How important is this partnership? How valuable are teaming arrangements in MILSATCOM?
Tim Winter
We are thrilled to have Tampa Microwave as a satellite network partner. We combine iDirect Government’s Tactical Hub and Tampa Microwave’s Quad Band Satellite Simulator (QBSS) to deliver an easy-to-use, transportable and cost-effective solution to support all-encompassing mission-readiness scenarios, branded TerraNet.
This partnership offers a way to prepare for mission readiness and save on bandwidth costs. TerraNet can be used to perform end-to-end system validation, RF equipment testing, training, maintenance and pre-deployment exercises of hub and remote terminals in a simulated satellite network.
This is another example of how we are at the forefront of innovation. By combining forces with Tampa Microwave, we further increase the resilience, efficiency, flexibility and scalability of SATCOM for our customers.
Teaming arrangements are important to meet the DOD’s emerging requirements and represent a means to advance capabilities. We will continue to leverage existing partnerships and forge new ones with SATCOM leaders. We will foster innovation and pool expert resources as we tackle complex engineering challenges. By building a collaborative ecosystem, we accelerate advancements and enhance the overall capabilities of our satellite solutions.
Collaboration brings about innovations to help our warfighters execute their missions, and we will continue to partner with industry to innovate, enhance customer satisfaction and success, and make SATCOM dynamic.
What is your personal outlook for MILSATCOM in 2025?
Tim Winter
At iDirectGov, in 2025, we will continue to advance the security and reliability of military communications, delivering innovative solutions for combatting satellite interference and enabling improvements in the quality and integrity of satellite communications.
Security countermeasures will be engineered into every one of our Defense-based solutions. We will further elevate our electronic warfare efforts, helping to combat communication EW vulnerabilities with the integration of our CSIR countermeasure application into new solutions and services. Additionally, we will incorporate the latest military standards into our products and services.
This will enable MILSATCOM to operate despite bad actors who try to interfere with critical communications used for command and control, intelligence, situational awareness, logistics and other military needs.
Emerging technologies will continue driving innovation in 2025, notably 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).
We will continue to drive innovation in the coming new year and meet our customers’ needs and challenges. My vision is to develop secure global connectivity that has no limitations on land, at sea and in the air. We can do this by hardening MILSATCOM and enabling resiliency.
This will enable MILSATCOM to operate despite bad actors who try to interfere with critical communications used for command and control, intelligence, situational awareness, logistics and other military needs.
What technologies do you believe will come to the forefront in 2025?
Tim Winter
We will see more advanced technology integration in the entire SATCOM ecosystem, including 5G connectivity, AI and machine learning, as well as anti-jam advances, cyber security modernizations and the pioneering applications of new technologies.
2025 will be a year that we witness multi-orbit and multi-waveform capabilities taking shape. Integration and interoperability in the ground segment will start to take center stage in providing open architecture attributes, allowing the warfighter to access various SATCOM network solutions.
These multi-orbit, dynamic capabilities will support advanced mobility requirements and revolutionary operational efficiencies for the warfighter, first responders, disaster recovery personnel and field operators.
Resiliency and security remain necessary for all next-gen networks, platforms and ecosystems.
There’s been much talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and its benefits to all industries. In SATCOM, we’ll see AI enabling greater automation and even dynamic bandwidth allocation and demand-based satellite network access.
AI can be used to assist in the determination of a jamming and in interference evolution.
Advance technology integration is critical to stay ahead of malicious actors and keep our troops safe. Our adversaries will look to implement AI as a weapon on the battlefield. We will be developing new technologies to counter these efforts, using AI to fight the fight. AI-powered solutions will be developed to confront enemies and bad actors.
Given your work within the U.S. Navy, the commercial SATCOM world and now the MILSATCOM environs, when you review your career to date, what projects truly bring a sense of satisfaction to you?
Tim Winter
I have enjoyed my work at every stage of my journey. All projects have provided different opportunities and challenges. True satisfaction in each instance, however, was borne out of the people I worked with. Seeing the team or organization succeed was paramount in everything I have done.
I think these experiences have greatly influenced my approach to a servant style leadership and a true foundational belief that we all must be part of something bigger than ourselves to truly enjoy fulfillment and satisfaction.
As we round out 2024, the next year holds great promise for MILSATCOM advancements that will benefit the warfighter.
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