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.

FMI: www.iridium.com, www.kddi-nsl.com, www.pioneer-navicom.com