The first EPLB to be accredited on life jackets for unassisted operation in water has made its inaugural operational flight on the RAF’s Typhoon aircraft.
London, UK, 10 April, 2019 – Elbit Systems UK Ltd. (“Elbit Systems UK” or “ESUK”) has completed the certification for its Emergency Personal Locator Beacon (EPLB), following a series of successful operational evaluation trials with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The EPLB has now entered service with the Royal Air Force.
A clear example of the company’s focus on delivering innovative capabilities to support the Armed Forces, this is the first man-mounted personal locator beacon to achieve internationally recognized accreditation (known as COSPAS-SARSAT) for unassisted operation in water.
In the event of an accident or aircrew ejection from an aircraft, the EPLB delivers emergency alerts to the international search and rescue (SAR) satellite “constellation” as well as homing signals to local SAR teams. This will enable a quick and effective rescue of stranded aircrew, significantly increasing the probability of survival. A key benefit of ESUK’s EPLB is that it embeds two different technologies within one product, meaning that many pilots who currently must use separate pieces will now be able to use one, integrated piece of equipment.
The EPLB will be able to operate efficiently in all weather conditions and at a full range of temperatures, for a minimum of 24 hours, across Land and Sea. It activates automatically upon ejection, meaning that even an unconscious pilot can be detected. The technology has been intensively tested in the UK and internationally, and is also in use with several different Armed Forces.
It can be fitted to a comprehensive range of aircrafts, including fast jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft.
Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK said: “Elbit Systems UK is committed to protecting and supporting the Armed Forces, here and around the world, with the best equipment and technologies available. We are proud that our pioneering EPLB has been chosen to safeguard RAF pilots, an example of how innovative but proven technology can be transferred to the UK and customised for specific UK requirements”.
About Elbit Systems UK
Elbit Systems UK Ltd (ESUK) holds four wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as two joint ventures. In total, over 500 personnel are employed by the ESUK companies in the UK, in high tech roles in the defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The two joint ventures were formed in order to deliver the Watchkeeper programme for the British Army and to supply and support three fleets of aircraft within the UK MOD Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme.
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defence, homeland security and commercial programmes throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios and cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies for defence, homeland security and commercial applications and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.
Contacts:
Dana Tal-Noyman
Manager Corporate Communications & Digital – Elbit Systems
+972 54 999 8809
Georgia Pickering
Managing Director – CMS Strategic
Elbit Systems UK Press Office
+44 (0) 20 7866 2487
ElbitSystems-UK@cmsstrategic.com
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