Comtech Systems has been working on troposcatter communications since 1967. Initially they were fixed and large installations, but systems have become available with low SWaP, which have become easily deployable by a small vehicle. And there is even work being carried out to build a manpack tropo radio. Also the path prediction has evolved. The present software allows for reliable and steady links over larger distances. Throughputs of 100 Mbps over ranges of more than 250 km are possible. With this high throughput and the low latency troposcatter communications are an alternative for or complement satellite communications.
SurCom personnel recently witnessed a test in the US where systems were deployed over a range of approximately 170 km and where the link was tested over a longer period with a steadily decreased powersetting. During the 24 hour test the link proved to be stable and reliable.