M2 Global Technology Ltd., a San Antonio, Texas–based engineering and contract manufacturer of satellite, microwave, TV broadcast and radio subsystems, has been awarded a US Air Force (USAF) contract to develop an advanced Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). The new PLB will replace the aging AN/URT-33, which is a part of the survival equipment issued to USAF aircrew. The beacon will provide Search and Rescue (SAR) satellite-aided tracking capabilities as well as multiple homing signals to assist in the location and rescue of downed aircrew. The PLB will contain a GPS receiver, which provides accurate beacon location information that is relayed to SAR forces through a low earth orbit satellite system (COSPAS/SARSAT) and other geo-position satellites.
M2 Global and its team members—Signal Engineering and Tadiran Spectralink Ltd.—were selected based on their technical experience and Signal Engineering's past performance in the development of similar survival equipment for the US Navy. The three companies will develop and manufacture 20 preproduction PLBs and other accessories, which will then undergo a rigorous USAF trial. After the completion of successful field trials, M2 Global and its team will pursue USAF manufacturing contracts to replace the more than 15,000 AN/URT-33 survival beacons currently in service.
Tadiran Spectralink and M2 Global complement Signal Engineering’s design and development capabilities, making the team a strong integrated presence in the development, manufacture and deployment of advanced SAR beacons throughout the world. Signal Engineering and Tadiran Spectralink have worked together on previous contracts to develop and manufacture the current AN/PRC-149 and AN/URT-140, which have been deployed by the US Navy.
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