NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 25, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced today, at the Army Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) Annual Convention, that for the first time its renowned AMT-50 multi-channel SATCOM antenna has been installed and integrated with the HSD-128 high-speed data terminal aboard a helicopter.
TC Communications performed the installation on a Boeing 234 twin-rotor helicopter for the National Fire Administration (NFA) of Taiwan. This helicopter is used for disaster management and search-and-rescue missions, and has been operational since November 11, 2003.
The NFA selected EMS's AMT-50 multi-channel SATCOM antenna and HSD-128 high-speed data terminal combination to reliably send live video and real-time airborne imagery to a mission control center and to mobile units on the ground. The video transmission is managed by TC Communications' 'Eye in the Sky' system to merge video inputs from various aircraft sources and disseminate those feeds via the Inmarsat Swift64 service at 128kbps.
"The HSD-128 has led the market since we introduced it over two years ago, and I am very excited that this technology has now been employed for the first time on a helicopter," says Dr. Neil Mackay, senior vice president and general manager of EMS Technologies' SATCOM Division.
"TC's 'Eye in the Sky' system is a breakthrough for aviation communications, and bringing it to a helicopter has proven the reliability of both EMS equipment and the Inmarsat service," said Todd McDonell, CEO of TC Communications. "We are extremely pleased with our partnership with EMS SATCOM. The ongoing commitment of this partnership has resulted in the rapid delivery of a helicopter Satcom solution to market."
About TC Communications
TC Communications has particular expertise in satellite links, long distance communications and remote area projects, with over 10 years of satellite communications experience and proven capabilities in information technology. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and is the leading developer and supplier of satellite-based wireless data solutions in South East Asia. As the prime developer of HSD and Swift 64 systems within the region, TC is now recognized as one of the few companies in the world with the know-how to design, build and support a customized solution for the provision of High Speed Data connections over air, land and sea.
TC Communications is an authorized dealer of EMS's aero SATCOM products.
For more information, visit TC Communications website at www.tc.com.au.
About the National Fire Administration of Taiwan
The National Fire Administration of Taiwan is responsible for fire prevention, disaster rescue and emergency medical services and has been actively engaged in setting up Air Operation Task Forces and a specially trained search and rescue team to create a multidimensional rescue mechanism in Taiwan.
For more information, visit the National Fire Administration of Taiwan website at http://www.nfa.gov.tw/nfa_e/nfa_e.aspx
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of technology solutions to wireless and satellite markets. The Company focuses on mobile information users, and increasingly on broadband applications. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs approximately 1,700 people worldwide, and has manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Montreal, Ottawa and Brazil.
The SATCOM Division of EMS Technologies, based in Ottawa, Canada, is part of EMS Technologies Canada, Ltd. The Division specializes in the design and development of satellite-based terminals and antennas for the aeronautical, land-mobile and maritime markets. The Emergency Management Products Group provides products and services to search and rescue agencies around the world. For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.