[SatNews] The "puck" like device supports Geo-fencing and allows for integration into the Nett Warrior system, facilitating global tracking of every soldier on the battlefield.
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Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) today announced its' first-ever participation in the U.S. Army's Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) process. Iridium is presenting a Position Location Information (PLI)-based tracking device, Enhanced Mobile Satellite System (EMSS) Beacon manufactured by NAL Research and exercised in the NIE "demonstration" category. Designed to accelerate and improve the way communications technologies are delivered to soldiers, NIEs take place twice a year and are comprised of rigorous evaluations of new commercial technology. The EMSS Beacons will be outfitted on a maneuver platoon to demonstrate the operational value and utility of near real-time position and location tracking of personnel and assets.
After years of in-service testing and operational use by other agencies, the PLI device has already demonstrated a high level of performance and reliability in similar environments. Its small form factor and lightweight design make it ideal for the warfighter. The "puck" like device supports Geo-fencing and allows for integration into the Nett Warrior system, facilitating global tracking of every soldier on the battlefield.
"The EMSS Beacon is designed to meet the size, weight and power requirements for the dismounted soldier and fills a need that has been
around for more than 10 years," said Ngoc Hoang, President of NAL Research. "Our device provides a critical communications lifeline for soldiers on the battlefield, and only Iridium's network provides the truly global tracking capabilities that meet the military's needs."
"We're honored to participate in the Army's Network Integration Evaluation process along with our partner, NAL Research. We're proposing to close a beyond-line-of-sight gap in the communications network by providing soldiers with a proven, affordable technology that will help keep them safe anywhere on the planet," said Ken Flowers, vice president, government solutions, Iridium. "Iridium's longstanding relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) makes the integration of this device extremely cost-effective, providing unlimited airtime to all users under our current EMSS contract's unlimited service terms."
In 2013, Iridium was awarded a $400 million multi-year fixed-price contract with the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to provide satellite airtime services to meet the communications needs of the DoD and their federal partners. The five-year contract renewed the provision for delivering Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) airtime. Iridium provides unlimited global secure and unsecure voice, low and high-speed data, paging and Distributed Tactical Communications Systems (DTCS) services for an unlimited number of DoD and other federal government subscribers.
Iridium®'s voice and data satellite communications network spans the globe, and enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real-time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers a portfolio of solutions for markets that require global communications. There is a major development program underway for its next-generation network—Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A. Visit here to learn more.