US Coast Guard Selects Becker Avionics' SAR MAN-PACK for Ground SAR Operations

MIRAMAR, Fla. , Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- COSPAS-SARSAT turns off satellite detection of the 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz emergency radio beacons today. In order to track the new 406 MHz generation of emergency radio beacons the US Coast Guard selected Becker Avionics' SAR MAN-PACK for ground operations. Becker Avionics' SAR MAN-PACK is a mobile, full featured Multi-Band Radio Direction Finder capable of operating in the Aviation VHF/UHF band, Marine band and COSPAS-SARSAT 406Mhz band. The SAR MAN-PACK provides an effective tool for near proximity searches such as in marinas, ports, harbors, parks or urban environments.

The US Coast Guard has deployed five SAR MAN-PACKs across various districts with the intent to reduce the time and cost of searches in localized environments. Search and rescue professionals will benefit from the SAR MAN-PACK's ability to track the robust 406MHz signal which is emitted from all COSPAS-SARSAT compliant emergency beacons. The SAR MAN-PACK is composed of a back pack antenna unit and a hand held display control unit. The system is IP67 rated, will operate in all weather conditions and is completely autonomous when searching for predefined channels.

About Becker Avionics

Becker Avionics is a privately held high-tech company that develops, manufactures and distributes the latest communications, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne, maritime and ground applications.

Becker Avionics has a longstanding history of over 50 years in providing equipment to General and Corporate Aviation, ATC, law enforcement and military organizations around the world. In order to support the international market requirements the Company has established branches around the world. Becker Avionics supports an extensive customer base, such as, but not limited to Eurocopter, EADS, Airbus, British Aerospace, ATR, CASA, Dornier-Fairchild, Xian Aircraft Corporation, Agusta, Pilatus, German Air Force, Navy and Army, German Border Patrol, German Police , Austrian Army and Police, Swiss Air Force, Dutch Police, Security Civil, Irish Air Corps, Egypt Navy, Indonesian Navy, Portuguese Air Force, US Army, Air Force, Navy and Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, etc.

To learn more about Becker Avionics and its product lines, please visit the company's Web sites at www.beckerusa.com and www.becker-avionics.com or contact us at [email protected] or at 1-954-450-3137. Visit us during HeliExpo 2009 at booth #1712.

SOURCE Becker Avionics