Digital Angel has announced that its SARBE division has finalized negotiations with BAE Systems to supply SARBE Advanced Aircrew Personal Locator Beacons (AAPLBs). Based in the United Kingdom, BAE Systems is a global company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land and at sea.
Although not a large contract, the choice of SARBE's AAPLBs by one of the world's major defense contractors is a further indication of SARBE's leading-edge position in the market for life-saving personal locator beacons.
The beacons will be issued to each of BAE's own team of pilots as well as to visiting pilots and aircrew from the UK and overseas. The AAPLB will form an essential part of the standard survival equipment to be used in the event of having to abandon a stricken aircraft.
In an emergency the AAPLB is activated to transmit a distress message containing the exact GPS coordinates and the identity of the survivor. The distress signal is received by the COSPAS-SARSAT global satellite network, which then alerts the rescue authorities.
Aircraft that the AAPLB are likely to be carried on include Typhoon, Tornado and Hawk. BAE Systems has a long history of using SARBE Personal Locator Beacons and the AAPLBs will be replacing equipment rendered obsolete due to satellite monitoring changes.
Digital Angel Chief Executive Officer Joseph J. Grillo commented, "BAE has been a loyal SARBE customer for many years. We are pleased to be supplying BAE with the latest generation beacons that will be in service for many years to come."
