Mil-Tech

TS2 has become a National Distributor for Globalstar’s suite of mobile satellite voice and duplex data products to the defence, government and private sectors

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT) and a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments and consumers, today announced that it has signed an authorized distribution agreement with TS2 Satellite Technologies, a leading provider of satellite communication products and services.

TS2 will act as a National Distributor for Globalstar’s suite of mobile satellite voice and duplex data products to the defence, government and private sectors within the Polish Mainland Territory via their established Dealer channel.

‘As we complete the deployment of our second-generation constellation of satellites, we are delighted that TS2 has chosen to offer their customers Globalstar’s unique line-up of MSS voice and duplex data solutions”, said Jim Mandala, General Manager, Globalstar Canada and Europe Sales.

On December 28^th 2011, Globalstar announced that six new second-generation Globalstar satellites were successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using the Soyuz launch vehicle.  This was the third successful launch of Globalstar’s new second-generation satellites.  The Globalstar second-generation satellite constellation is designed to support the Company’s current line-up of voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services including its suite of SPOT retail consumer products.  The new satellites are designed to last for 15 years, twice the lifespan of Globalstar’s first-generation satellites.

‘By becoming an official distributor of Globalstar, we can finally offer a complete range of global MSS services to our customers.  Here at TS2, we are excited about the opportunities this new partnership opens up for us.  Our customers will be able to take advantage of the low-cost and high quality voice and data services that Globalstar will offer once they have completed deployment of their second-generation satellite constellation next year,” said Marcin Frąckiewicz, TS2’s owner and CEO.

About Globalstar Inc.

Globalstar is a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services. Globalstar offers these services to commercial customers and recreational consumers in more than 120 countries around the world.  The Company’s products include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger and flexible service packages.  Many land based and maritime industries benefit from Globalstar with increased productivity from remote areas beyond cellular and landline service.  Global customer segments include: oil and gas, government, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction, emergency preparedness, and business continuity as well as individual recreational users.  Globalstar data solutions are ideal for various asset and personal tracking, data monitoring and SCADA applications.

For more information regarding Globalstar, please visit Globalstar’s web site at www.globalstar.com

About TS2.

TS2 is one of the leading distributors of satellite communications, with a strong emphasis on VSAT and MSS services.  With headquarters in Warsaw, Poland, TS2 has developed a very strong position on the international market, especially in the Polish, Middle Eastern and North African regions.  TS2’s VSAT internet services were one of the first available to coalition forces and international corporations during their operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.  MSS services provided by TS2 are used daily by customers from various market segments, including the military and government as well as individual travellers and sport enthusiasts.

For further information regarding TS2’s current services, please visit the company web site at www.ts2.pl

US Army adopts new breed of robotic battle vehicles

Created by Lockheed Martin, the Squad Mission Support System (SMSS) is “the largest autonomous vehicle to ever be deployed with infantry,” said Lockheed in announcement released today.

The Lockheed Martin SMSS leverages robotic technologies for unmanned transport and logistical support for light, early entry and special operations forces. It solves capability gaps by lightening the Soldier’s load and serving as a power management resource.

The SMSS will decrease the amount of time a Warfighter has to spend in controlling robotic systems by providing vehicles that can navigate autonomously. The SMSS’ supervised autonomy will provide the Warfighter with a reliable squad-size vehicle which will improve combat readiness, while assuring re-supply channels and casualty evacuations.

Combining perception with extraordinary mobility allows vehicles to follow the Warfighter across most terrain, guaranteeing the payload the robotic system is carrying will be available whenever and wherever the Warfighter needs it. Few other robotic systems allow for autonomy dependable enough for a vehicle to follow someone without the use of location-disclosing beacons. The vehicle can also operate by remote control, tele-operation or by manual control.

User-proven autonomy
SMSS is executing a contract for the U.S. Army to provide the SMSS as a portable power solution complementing the NettWarrior Soldier technology package. SMSS provided self-sustaining portable power, Soldier battery recharge and logistics support for infantry during user testing in November, 2010.

The system’s dependable autonomous technology has garnered three safety releases by the U.S. Army to work in close proximity around Soldiers. SMSS continues to log hundreds of hours with Army users as the system matures and is prepared for deployment:

• Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment, Spiral E, 2008
• Military Utility Assessment, Fort Benning, 2009
• Limited User Test – Portable Power, Ft. Riley, 2010
• Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment, Spiral G, 2011
• Military Utility Assessment, Afghanistan, 2011 (anticipated)

Unmanned capabilities
The long-term vision of this system can accommodate armed variants, while improving its reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities within the concept of supervised autonomy. A squad-size manned or unmanned support vehicle is critical to today’s asymmetrical and urban battlefields.

Lockheed Martin’s experience in unmanned systems is unmatched with proven capabilities across all domains including air, land, sea and space. An integrated systems-of-systems approach allows Lockheed Martin to meet the challenges of network-centric warfare where both manned and unmanned technologies work collaboratively, increasing the affordability of the technology, the efficiency of the total force and ultimately, the success of their missions.

Coast Guardsmen first behind the wheel of new Dix simulator

4/12/2011 – JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. — Coast Guardsmen who normally patrol the high seas for drug runners or environmental hazards were the first behind the wheel of the latest high-tech combat convoy simulator addition at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

photo by Lt. James Cullen, USCG Training Team East

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachment, Team 13 were the first military unit using the newly-fielded Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer simulator, in a training exercise simulating an Afghanistan defensive combat situation, April 2.

Read more: www.mcguire.af.mil