Blue Sky Network and Iridium Provide British Ministry of Defense Satellite-Based Flight Tracking and Communication Equipment for Search and Rescue


LA JOLLA, California, July 31/- Marks the first major Iridium satellite tracking purchase by a large airborne search and rescue fleet

Blue Sky Network and Iridium today announced that the British Ministry of Defense is deploying Blue Sky Network's Iridium satellite-based flight tracking equipment for the Search and Rescue division of the Royal Air Force. Utilizing Blue Sky Network's D1000C and ACH1000, the Royal Air Force is capable of tracking aircraft and using satellite voice communications for search and rescue efforts all over the world.

The Royal Air Force's purchase of 44 aircraft tracking and communication kits from Blue Sky Network indicates the first major purchase of such technology by a large airborne search and rescue fleet. The Royal Air Force will use the equipment as a cost-effective solution for tracking its aircraft and to augment existing communication with radio operators. Tracking data from Blue Sky Network's unique SkyRouter portal will be integrated with existing command and control systems at the RAF.

"Blue Sky Network's tracking system is ideal for our rescue efforts, as it integrates with our current rescue coordination system and provides a cost effective aircraft tracking and voice communication at our disposal," said Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Bob Cruikshanks. "This equipment greatly increases the efficiency of our division and safety of everyone involved, and it has the potential to speed up rescue efforts."

"The Blue Sky Network solution for the Royal Air Force leverages Iridium's ubiquitous global gap-free coverage and reliable low-latency data links to provide mission-critical communications for vital search-and-rescue operations," said Greg Ewert, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite.

Blue Sky Network's D1000C Iridium terminal offers an affordable flight-tracking unit with high reliability and control that integrates with the ACH1000 voice and messaging enabled control head. The combined solution offers the Royal Air Force, and all customers, reliable communications, text and voice communications, as well as event reporting.

About Blue Sky Network

Blue Sky Network is the leading provider of global logistics solutions for two-way linking and managing remote transportation assets via satellite. Using its interactive Web portal, SkyRouter, with detailed mapping and integration with Google Earth, Blue Sky Network links enterprises to personnel and assets anywhere on earth over the Iridium satellite network. FAA-certified data and voice products enable users to customize features including safety and event reporting. Blue Sky Network's exceptional customer service and management team make it the perfect partner for adding true global communication to your transport network. www.blueskynetwork.com

About Iridium Satellite

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 150 partners.

Web site: www.iridium.com
http://www.blueskynetwork.com

Source: Iridium Satellite LLC

Catriona Harris of PR@vantage for Blue Sky Network, +1-407-767-0452 x2, charris@pr-vantage.com;

Liz DeCastro of Iridium Satellite LLC, +1-301-571-6257, liz.decastro@iridium.com;

or Jim Rhodes of Rhodes Communications, +1-757-451-0602, jrhodes@rhodescomm.com

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