Japanese Disaster Agency Tracking Its Helicopters Using Iridium's Satellite Network

The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) will track its helicopters using Iridium's satellite network and a system developed by Pioneer Navicom that automatically transmits GPS position coordinates to ground stations and uploads destination point, routes and text messages to the aircraft.

Besides its flight following and associated messaging capability, the Pioneer system can also provide two-way voice communication between the aircraft and ground personnel.  Its technology suite includes an AirCell ST3100 satellite transceiver terminal integrated with an Airmap AMS 3000S moving map display.   FDMA had the first system installed on one of its new Eurocopter AS365N3s late last year, and during its initial, two-hour ferry flight between Osaka and Tokyo, it transmitted flight following data every four seconds through an Iridium circuit-switched data channel.

Iridium service is provided in Japan through KDDI Network & Solutions (KNSL), which has been authorized by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to offer Iridium mobile phone and data products and services since June 2005.  04-17-2006.

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