Falcon | Aircraft Tracking
Falcon is a fully automated communications, global tracking and crisis management device designed for helicopters and aircraft: helping clients to track and communicate with their high-value assets and respond to any emergency. It offers significant improvements in efficiency and security for companies and organisations operating in hostile conditions and high risk environments.
Interfaced with the Track24 risk management software, the C4i platform, Falcon enables operations staff to monitor the position and status of flights, communicate with them as necessary and respond to incidents or emergencies.
Falcon is independent of the unreliable communications infrastructures of unstable regions or those affected by natural disasters, as it uses the Inmarsat global satellite network. Easy to install and use, the unit is lightweight, compact and requires minimum electrical power, making it suitable for installation even on the smallest aircraft.
Falcon is suitable for commercial, public service and military use. It is ideal for helicopter operators, especially those involved in Search and Rescue (SAR), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), EMS, police, military and coast guard operations, peace keeping, and fire fighting.
Tracking & monitoring
Routine reports transmitted by the Falcon security tracking device detail the aircraft's GPS position and flight status. Other reporting is fully integrated, such as: engine ignition; undercarriage status; landing and takeoff alerts.
This information is displayed on the Track24 crisis management software , the C4i platform, affording users complete visibility over multiple airborne assets and an increased capacity for flight planning, fleet coordination and the generation of accurate flight times and ETAs. This minimises wasted time on the ground, as well as flight times. Data is archived, allowing flight analysis for identifying evidence in case of suspected border incursions or unauthorised low flying.
Communication & Control
The benefits of tracking and monitoring are further augmented by the direct communication functions of the system. Two-way messaging via a PDA device gives operations staff greater control over aircraft and an improved capability to react. Combined with C4i visibility, this enhanced level of control will raise an organisation's operational effectiveness. Users can, for example:
- Re-task aircraft in flight or on the ground
- Deploy those assets likely to be most effective in a situation
- Revise and submit flight plans
- Transmit accurate clearances to crew.
Security and crisis management
Incident prevention
As a crisis management tool, Falcon is designed to reduce risk and thereby improve passenger safety and the security of assets. Operations staff can:
- Transmit warnings of hostile areas, meteorological warnings, flight clearances and other urgent information to the flight crew
- Plan diversions more effectively; plan for necessary ground support ahead of arrival
- Gain information from discrete sensors (gear, engine, weight on wheels, winch operation) as a precaution against damage or sabotage.
Emergency response
If an incident does occur, an alert sent from Falcon to the C4i system will contain the information necessary to respond to a distress, urgency or security threat in a timely and effective manner. These alerts can be relayed via email, or by mobile phones via SMS, ensuring that all relevant personnel are informed within seconds that an incident is occurring.
Specifications
Avionic Subsystems
- Antenna - Omni Directional Blade Antenna
- HPA - High Power Amplifier
- SDU - Satellite Data Unit
- Optional Ruggedised PDA
Dimensions and Weight
- Antenna - 280 x108 x 116 mm; 0.7kg
- HPA - 130 x104 x 45 mm; 0.8 kg
- SDU - 165 x 130 x 45 mm; 1.3 kg
Antenna Coverage
Global, operates at low elevation angles
Frequencies
- Transmit 1626.5 MHZ to 1660.5 MHZ
- Receive GPS 1525 MHZ TO 1559.0 MHZ
GPS Fix
- Cold start = 45 seconds
- Hot start < 8 seconds
Power
9.6V to 30V smoothed DC
Maximum Speed
Full Doppler Compensation to 700 knots (360m/s)
Software
Over the Air Software updates integrated into Track24 C4i
Compliance
- RTCA DO-160D
- NVG Compatible
- Inmarsat approved
Text Messages
Canned messages and free text messaging
Keywords : Aircraft Tracking, Military Tracking, Helicopter Tracking, Crisis Management, Risk Management