Iridium Provides Aircraft Tracking and Communication for Luxembourg Air Rescue
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Iridium-Based AeroFleet System Is Supplied by Euro Telematik
BETHESDA, Md. - July 12, 2006 - Euro Telematik, manufacturer of fleet tracking and communication solutions for road and aerospace applications, has completed the first installation of an Iridium-based aircraft tracking and communication system for the Luxembourg Air Rescue (LAR) service.
The Euro Telematik AeroFleet system allows LAR operations to monitor its fleet of jet ambulance aircraft and primary rescue helicopters, generating automatic position reports from the aircraft through Iridium's network of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. The same system also provides two-way voice and data exchange between ground operations and the flight crew.
Two aircraft have been fitted with Euro Telematik's CDTI-2000 multi-function display. The AeroFleet installation at the operations center is based on a client/server architecture that allows for multiple ground stations and working positions, connected via Web-based interfaces.
Created in 1988, LAR provides a 24-hour, year-round service with a fleet of air-ambulance jets and rescue helicopters in Luxembourg and around the world. LAR expects a huge benefit for their operations with the introduction of the Iridium-based AeroFleet system, which will provide real-time tracking of the aircraft during missions and permit ground personnel to communicate with the on-board medical crew via a "chat" interface.
The cooperation of Euro Telematik and LAR in the AeroFleet project is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program within the ESA Telecommunications Department.
"With Euro Telematik's Iridium system, we will be one of the first air-ambulance and helicopter emergency medical service operators to offer this quality of service," said Louis Wright, LAR's customer service manager. "Not only will our clients benefit from the capability to track and communicate with the aircraft during missions, but we will also have a real-time view of our whole fleet's position at any time."
"Iridium provides an ideal solution for the special needs of air ambulance and rescue services, with its global coverage and lightweight, low-drag airborne equipment," said Don Thoma, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite.
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 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 100 partners.
About Euro Telematik
Euro Telematik AG, based in Ulm, Germany, is an EASA 21(G) approved production organization for avionics systems. The company offers advanced air traffic solutions for general aviation and regional airlines, as well as customized solutions for special mission purposes such as aircraft fleet management.
Press Contacts:
Liz DeCastro
Iridium Satellite LLC
+ 1 (301) 571-6257
liz.decastro@iridium.com
Jim Rhodes
Rhodes Communications
+1 (757) 451-0602
jrhodes@rhodescomm.com
