Cobham Tracking & Locating Receives $4.78M U.S. Air Force Order
September 30, 2008
Cobham Tracking & Locating Ltd., a leading developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art tracking and locating equipment, in conjunction with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, is pleased to announce that it has received an order for the SLB2000 Personal Locator Beacon from the U.S. Air Force. The order, valued at US$4.78 million, is an option from a firm fixed price contract, which was awarded in July. Total value of this contract is estimated at $18M.
Cobham’s SLB2000 beacon is designed as a form fit replacement for the aging AN/URT-33 emergency beacons used by the U.S. Air Force in ejection seats and parachute packs.
“We’re pleased that our beacon has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to help ensure the safety of its pilots and aircrew,” says Paul Steward, Search and Rescue Program Director for Cobham Tracking & Locating. “The result of months of research, development and testing, our SLB2000 beacon fits ACES II/III ejections seats and BA-22 back-style parachute packs without the need for costly and time-consuming equipment modification.”
The SLB2000 is a digital, military-grade PLB that provides a 406 MHz emergency signal with embedded GPS positioning plus 121.5 and 243 MHz homing. Compared to current analog 121.5/243 MHz beacons with a typical search area of 20 to 24 kilometers in radius, the SLB2000 is accurate to within 100 meters. It is specifically designed to replace the older generation analog AN/URT-33 beacons, which will become obsolete on Feb. 1, 2009 when the International Cospas-Sarsat satellite rescue system stops processing distress signals from 121.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons in favor of the more accurate 406 MHz signals.
In July, the SLB2000 received approval from Cospas-Sarsat as a special use beacon for military applications.
Among those currently using SLB2000 beacons is the Royal Danish Air Force, which is in the process of replacing the AN/URT-33 beacons in the ACES II/III ejection seats of its F-16 fleet.
About Cobham Tracking & Locating Ltd.
Cobham Tracking & Locating Ltd., part of the Cobham Avionics and Surveillance Division, is a world leader in the development, design and manufacture of electronic tracking and locating equipment. Primary markets include search and rescue and law enforcement.
About Cobham plc
Cobham plc is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced aerospace and defense systems for land, sea and air platforms. The company specializes in the provision of components, sub-systems and services that keep people safe, improve communications and enhance the capability of aerospace and defense platforms.
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