Through its McMurdo brand, Orolia announced its global aeronautical distress safety system (GADSS)-compliant distress tracking emergency locator transmitter (ELT-DT). The product, known as the GADSS ELT-DT, performs autonomous tracking of commercial aircraft in distress through processes such as trigger-in-flight capability. This allows for the beacon to automatically transmit a distress signal with the aircraft’s accurate position.

“Orolia’s ELT-DT, under development in the Helios H2020 project, is a major enhancement in aircraft safety and highlights Galileo’s benefits, providing a level of awareness about aircraft in distress never reached before,” said Gian-Gherardo Calini, head of marketing development for the European GNSS Agency.

The GADSS ELT-DT in part came from the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. After the incident, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) created a series of tracking initiatives, such as requiring the autonomous tracking of all commercial aircraft in distress, which begins in 2021. The GADSS ELT-DT offers instant signal detection and coverage around the world and includes return link service capability for aircraft operators.

“Orolia is proud of this new technology for commercial aircraft,” said Jean-Yves Courtois, CEO of Oroloa. “The ability to autonomously track aircraft in distress with continuous location data is an industry breakthrough that will deliver long-lasting benefits for the traveling public.”