New cellular geolocation sensor for Do228 NXT
The sensor enhances the Do228 NXT’s use in fields such as search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime patrol
Aerospace firm General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has unveiled a new sensor for its Do228 NXT fixed-wing aircraft, to support special missions operations.
The sensor, known as the CPLS SENTINEL, was developed by CDA Systems for the aircraft type, and utilizes a cellular geolocation system to support crew flying search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, disaster response, maritime patrol, and humanitarian missions.
The SENTINEL is designed to allow the location of missing or endangered people “even in remote regions, or areas where traditional communication infrastructure has been destroyed”.
The sensor utilizes “preloaded or newly scanned cell tower information” to build an offline operational map for mission areas, and to locate the exact location of mobile phones.
GA-ATS added that, once the operator entered a target phone’s ID, the system would then act as a “secure and non-intrusive base station, detecting the phone’s signal without interacting with live networks, or accessing personal user data”.
Coulson Aviation recently launched its new Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker program.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.