[SatNews] ORBIT Communication Systems, Inc., a satellite communications, tracking, and airborne communications-management systems provider, has been selected by the Aircraft Operation Center (AOC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to supply the Communication Management System (CMS).

ORBIT's CMS will be installed on the WP-3 Orion, special mission aircraft that are operated by NOAA/AOC. The Orion requires a high degree of communications between the relatively large number of science crew members and the flight crew. This unique operation mode and heterogeneous crew demands a functional and reliable, yet also intuitive Communication Management System that is able to manage the large number of operators using a wide variety of communication systems. NOAA/AOC selected ORBIT's CMS as the Commercially-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) system most suitable for meeting these complex requirements.

ORBIT’s Communication Management Systems product line is based on a wide variety of ‘building blocks’ providing a customized Commercially-Off-The-Shelf solution for airborne applications (fixed wing and rotary), as well as seaborne applications. ORBIT’s fully digital systems are accompanied by a software suite allowing quick installation and reconfiguration to any existing communication system, including a recently added capability to interface with IP based applications such as VoIP telephony systems. In addition, ORBIT has added wireless intercommunication capabilities, which allow cabin crew members as well as ground crew to operate freely while maintaining constant connectivity.