TrueNorth's Simphone OpenCabin Airborne Phone Selected for Second USAF VIP
Fleet Program
Advanced software-centric airborne system will replace aging MagnaStar(R) phone systems on U.S. government C-37A VIP transport aircraft
OTTAWA, April 14 /CNW/ - TrueNorth Avionics, Inc., has been selected to provide its Simphone OpenCabin airborne telecommunications system for a second round of U.S. Air Force government VIP transport aircraft under the TARS (terrestrial aeronautical radiotelephone system) program, becoming the standard airborne telecom system for the Special Air Mission C-37A (Gulfstream V) fleet. The new contract, representing nine aircraft systems (plus spares) in 2010 alone, is a significant follow-on to TrueNorth's selection in 2009 for the Air Force's C-37B (Gulfstream 550) VIP fleet. Under that contract, Simphone OpenCabin is being installed in new aircraft with completions done by Gulfstream/Long Beach. Installations for the new C-37A retrofit program are being performed by Gulfstream/Savannah.
A revolutionary software-centric concept, the new Simphone (pronounced 'symphony') OpenCabin system uses a suite of enterprise-level software applications to bring advanced voice and data management capabilities to business aviation. Since current hardware-centric airborne telecom systems are heavy, complex, expensive to install and prone to obsolescence, TrueNorth developed a converged solution that interfaces with virtually any corporate aircraft, turning the airplane into an extension of ground-based IT and communications networks.
"We're pleased that the U.S. government, like so many business aircraft operators, has also determined that Simphone OpenCabin is the way to eliminate problems with complex airborne data routing, limited Internet service, porous security, poor quality voice and obsolete hardware-centric equipment," said Mark van Berkel, TrueNorth's CEO.
About TrueNorth: TrueNorth Avionics, Inc., is a world-class technology company that develops integrated communications and smartphone mobility solutions for business aviation. Its premier product, the Simphone (pronounced 'Symphony') airborne telephone, is an executive-class system that combines data routing with superior voice quality, ease of use, functionality and personalization. Options include embedded W-Fi, TrueNorth's Smarter(TM) interface for BlackBerry(R) and iPhone(R) data, Iridium fax, and a legacy Satcom interface. TrueNorth is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with U.S. offices in New Jersey and the Kansas City area. Learn more at www.truenorthavionics.com.
For further information: For further information: Bill Johnston, tel. (913) 262-2131, [email protected]
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