Iridium Satellite, KDDI
Network & Solutions (KNSL) and Pioneer Navicom jointly
announced Monday the completion of successful air trials and
initial deployment of an automatic helicopter tracking system by
the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA).
The tracking system -- developed by Pioneer Navicom, Inc. --
automatically transmits GPS position coordinates to ground stations
and uploads destination point, routes and text messages to the
aircraft through the Iridium satellite network. It enables ground
controllers to monitor the location and movement of the aircraft in
real-time across a moving map display, with a similar picture also
available to the pilot.
"In many ways, Iridium is the ideal solution for this
application because of its ubiquitous global coverage without blind
spots, even when flying at low altitudes among mountainous terrain
or over open water," said Hiroaki Tamanaka, director of avionics
sales and marketing for Pioneer Navicom. "The low-profile, low-drag
Iridium antenna is much smaller and lighter than other satellite
communication systems."
The Pioneer Navicom auto-tracking system also includes an
AirCell ST3100 Iridium satellite terminal integrated with an Airmap
AMS 3000S moving map display. In addition to automatic flight
following and messaging, the system can also provide two-way voice
communication between air and ground.
The Iridium-based system was installed on a new AS365N3
helicopter and rolled out late last year. During the initial,
two-hour ferry flight between Osaka and Tokyo, it transmitted
flight following data every four seconds through an Iridium
circuit-switched data channel.
Iridium service is provided in Japan through KNSL. KNSL received
authorization from the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications to offer Iridium mobile phone and data products and
services in June 2005.
"Iridium's constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites
provides the only aircraft tracking and monitoring solution that is
robust, reliable, cost-effective and that offers global coverage,"
said Greg Ewert, Iridium executive vice president. "We are pleased
to partner with KNSL and Pioneer Navicom – two leaders in
developing advanced, integrated solutions for aircraft requirements
when it comes to remote communications."
Iridium Satellite LLC
provides global satellite voice and data solutions with complete
coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar
Regions). The company also designs, builds and sells its services,
products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100
partners.
Based in Tokyo, KDDI Network & Solutions Inc., based in
Tokyo, provides communication services, consulting, design,
development, manufacture, sale, operation and maintenance of
telecommunications systems, as well as information and
communications networks. Pioneer Navicom, also based in Tokyo,
provides avionics products mainly for helicopters, such as GPS
moving map systems, traffic collision alert devices and Iridium
satellite terminals. The company also develops software solutions
such as helicopter auto-tracking systems.