Korean Navy to receive AN/PRC-648 SPLB units from Elbit

Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract by Hyundai J-Comm to supply an undisclosed number of AN/PRC-648 SAR personal locator beacon (SPLB) units to the South Korean Navy.

Under the deal, Elbit Systems SAR and Data Links will serve as a single subcontractor for Hyundai to produce and deliver the SPLB module kit.

As a prime contractor for the Cospas-Sarsat personal locator beacon programme of the South Korean Navy, Hyundai will assemble, test and deliver, as well as maintain and repair the AN/PRC-648 in the country.

AN/PRC-648 has been designed to provide support for non-combat SAR missions during training sessions or flying over friendly territory.

The system complies with the requirements of C/S T.001 and T.007, as well as STANAG 7007 to relay distress signals over all internationally recognised emergency frequencies, including the Cospas-Sarsat protocol.

As well as integral voice transceiver to provide multichannel VHF/UHF resources, the system also features an optional built-in voice synthesiser to transmit position coordinates across the selected voice frequencies.

Capable of providing automatic position reporting, the AN/PRC-648 uses an embedded global position system (GPS) receiver for geo-location with improved accuracy and the position coordinates can be transmitted as a Cospas-Sarsat message.

The portable AN/PRC-648 SPLB also provides reliable performance in harsh environments, with the simple user interface enabling the user to operate all features single-handedly even when wearing gloves.

In addition, the automatic internal G-switch of the AN/PRC-648 activates the beacon upon aircrew bailout with additional mechanical and manual activation options offered by the lanyard-actuated magnetic switch.

Specially designed for deep-pressure containers, the system had been upgraded with a highly sensitive sensor to automatically activate the beacon upon contact with water.