Digital Angel has announced that it plans to expand its OuterLink flight tracking system to more than 100 countries. Outerlink plans to use the Globalstar Satellite Network to expand the international coverage of its flight following and data messaging system as well as add voice capabilities.
The expansion plans will be introduced at the Heli-Expo 2005 starting Feb. 6 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.
OuterLink systems are currently used to track and monitor aircraft in the United States, Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico. Using Globalstar's constellation of 48 low orbiting satellites as the communications link between aircraft equipped with its CP-series data terminals and flight operations centers, OuterLink will be able to offer its services in more than 100 countries world-wide.
Kevin O'Brien, OuterLink's vice president of operations said, "The Globalstar network will enable us to expand our capabilities and offer our field-proven tracking and messaging system to fleet operators in South America, all of Europe, Northern Africa, and the North Atlantic."
Dennis Allen, VP Sales for Globalstar added, "This agreement demonstrates Globalstar's intention to continue to expand into the aviation market for voice and data services by working with an industry leader of asset management systems for aircraft"
The OuterLink flight tracking and messaging system includes the CP-series data terminal and low-profile antennas installed on each aircraft, and the CommTrack suite of PC software tools that enables flight management personnel to visually track and display real-time and historical information about all aircraft under their control.
The software incorporates a comprehensive map database that allows dispatchers to pan and zoom into whatever level of topographic detail is relevant to their tracking needs. It also provides the capability to display weather information on these maps to provide up-to-the-minute advisories to flight-following dispatchers.
