Tracking Solutions Put Companies in Control

TECH: Blue Sky Also Delivers Data to Support Various Missions

This is a business feature article from the San Diego Business Journal regarding Blue Sky Network’s solutions and why organizations such as the United Nations, Sikorsky, Chevron, and the U.S. Department of State rely on them for their operations around the world.

 

 

By BRAD GRAVES

A map showing Africa appears on the large-screen television at Blue Sky Network in Mission Valley. It offers a unique perspective of the continent.

Here and there are icons shaped like helicopters. Each represents a United Nations helicopter, and each shows the aircraft’s status. According to the map, a few are running. Those icons have rotating blades.

“It’s quite fascinating. If you log into this (at) roughly 6 a.m. Africa time – the middle of the night for us – all of those aircraft are taking off. They’re flying nonstop,” said Jeff Sherwood, the business development manager giving the briefing on the company.

Blue Sky makes the technology that helps its client, the United Nations, keep tabs on its helicopters. Its business is satellite-based tracking and communication solutions, which take in both hardware and software. The business serves customers who want to track aviation assets, marine assets, land vehicles or even people. Special operations forces can use it, as can climbers trying to ascend Mount Whitney or Mount Everest.

Connecting those far-flung assets to the people who want to monitor them are satellite networks. Blue Sky uses the 66 satellites of Iridium Communications as well as other satellite constellations.

Big-Name Partners

Blue Sky Network recently got its system factory qualified to go on Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s Black Hawk helicopters. Sherwood said his company’s electronics will be installed on 19 helicopters going to Poland as well as helicopters for Romania. A grant from the U.S. Commercial Service let the company exhibit its products recently in Eastern Europe.

Chevron and Exxon Mobil use the company’s tracking and communications system to monitor helicopters serving oil drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, where the weather can change abruptly, CEO Gregoire Demory said.

“It’s not a luxury item,” said Sherwood.

The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of State, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives use Blue Sky Network. Other big customers include NASA, SpaceX, the International Monetary Fund and the ministry of interior for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Blue Sky Network’s deal with the United Nations is for five years.

It counts users in more than 50 countries.

35 Employees and Growing

Demory declined to disclose Blue Sky Network’s revenue, saying only that the company has been growing at a double-digit percentage rate. The business has 35 employees, with about 20 in San Diego, eight at a recently acquired business in Arizona, and a few scattered over the world. The company has offices in Brazil, Indonesia and Ireland.

Pilot Jon Gilbert founded Blue Sky in 2001. In 2016, an investor group that includes Demory bought the business, with an eye toward making more acquisitions. The first came last year, when Blue Sky bought Scottsdale, Arizona-based Applied Satellite Engineering, a maker of satellite communications equipment, along with Synergy Electronics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In some respects, what Blue Sky systems offers is similar to vehicle monitoring and telematics systems offered by several San Diego companies, including Qualcomm Inc. in its early days. A big-rig trucking application can give the corporate office vehicle location, status and telemetry, and help the driver with messaging and government safety compliance.

The electronics can also alert the head office if one of their assets breaks a “geofence” and goes into territory that’s off limits.

A Market Worth Billions

By itself, the global market for aircraft electronics, or avionics, is worth an estimated $68.5 billion. That is according to MarketsandMarkets, a business-to-business research provider. The avionics market has a compound annual growth rate of 4.86%, and is expected to grow to $86.9 billion by 2024. Retrofits will be a major factor driving the market, according to its study.

Major avionics vendors cited by the report are Honeywell, Esterline Technologies (now TransDigm Group Inc.), Curtiss-Wright, L3 Communications (now L3 Harris) and Collins Aerospace.

Blue Sky Network announced its contract with Sikorsky in June. Demory called the deal “an important step in our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) channel expansion.” Defense contracting giant Lockheed Martin Corp. owns Sikorsky.

In August, the Mission Valley business announced plans to test Iridium’s Certus 9770 transceiver, which can transfer data more than 35 times faster than its predecessors. It is working with Iridium to beta test new products based on the electronics.

The Weather in Africa

It is Blue Sky Network’s SkyRouter software that lets people in a San Diego conference room track helicopters all over Africa. SkyRouter offers other benefits for pilots in Africa, a place with no air traffic control and little to no infrastructure. Indeed, many of the landing strips are dirt. Others are in war zones.

According to Sherwood, the Blue Sky technology lets someone at the headquarters office place their computer mouse on a remote location in Africa and send localized weather data – such as wind direction, speed and visibility – to the pilot in that location.

Odds are good that weather data is not available from local authorities. And frequently, pilots don’t want to use radios because of security concerns.

Blue Sky Network can also help the U.N. independently verify the work its contract pilots actually do, company officials said. There is reportedly a temptation for pilots to bill the U.N. for more hours than actually flown.

For more information, press only:

Carlos Gomez
+1 858-551-3894
[email protected]

Blue Sky Network awarded Sikorsky contract

BSN to provide tracking, SATCOM systems for the Black Hawk helicopter

 

 

Blue Sky Network (BSN), an industry-leading satellite-based tracking and communications systems provider, today announced it was awarded a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT).

Per the contract, Sikorsky will equip S-70 Black Hawk helicopters with an avionics package that includes BSN’s satellite-based tracking and communication services. The contract involves testing and qualifying the systems to meet the U.S. government and Sikorsky’s standards and requirements. Part of a larger Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the helicopters will be used for critical search and rescue (SAR) missions supporting military operations overseas.

 

“The qualification of our system on Sikorsky’s S-70 Black Hawk platform further demonstrates our capability to provide our customers with innovative products and services,” said Jeff Sherwood, BSN’s business development manager.

 

“This agreement with an iconic company such as Sikorsky is an important step in our OEM channel expansion,” said Gregoire Demory, BSN’s president and chief executive officer. “The Blue Sky Network team is thrilled to announce that our D1000C and ACH1000 systems are now ‘factory qualified’ on all S-70 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters.”

 

Sikorsky delivered the first Black Hawk helicopter to the U.S. Army on October 31, 1978. Since then, the helicopter has served as the U.S. Army’s primary medium-lift utility transport.

About Blue Sky Network

Blue Sky Network is an industry-leading provider of mission-critical fleet management, tracking, business continuity, and operational analytics solutions serving private, commercial, and government customers worldwide.

Blue Sky Network deploys innovative satellite-based communication solutions that help aviation, marine, and land/mobile customers track and manage their high-value assets in real-time anywhere in the world, resulting in improved safety, security, operational efficiency, and profitability.

Founded in 2001, Blue Sky Network is headquartered in San Diego, California, with customers and distributors in more than 50 countries. For more information about Blue Sky Network products and services, visit www.blueskynetwork.com or call +1 858-551-3894.

For more information, press only:

Carlos Gomez
+1 858-551-3894
[email protected]

Blue Sky Network Expands Aerial Firefighting Capabilities

The SATCOM and tracking pioneer asserts its presence in the aviation firefighting industry with tailored hardware, software, and regulatory compliant solutions.

 

 

NÎMES, FRANCE— March 19, 2019 — Blue Sky Network (BSN) today announced its participation in the 16th edition of the Aerial Firefighting (AFF) Europe exhibition and continued its commitment to the industry with new offerings.

This marks the satellite tracking innovator’s first time exhibiting at AFF Europe.

For more than a decade, BSN has provided tracking, communications, and fleet management solutions for aerial firefighting operations around the world such as Erickson, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Cyprus Department of Forestry, and Helicopter Express.

 

“We have an established, excellent track record of providing top-tier products and services for the aerial firefighting industry and its stakeholders,” said Jeff Sherwood, BSN’s business development manager.

 

Apart from being recognized as a “Gold” supplier by Erickson, BSN has also made strides in helping customers comply with regulations and mandates affecting the U.S. and global aerial firefighting industry. The company recently announced its avionics hardware and centralized fleet management software, SkyRouter, will integrate with Olympic Aero’s Additional Telemetry Unit (ATU) to transmit critical information from helicopter buckets commonly used for aerial firefighting operations. USFS regulations mandate firefighting aircraft collect ATU data and transmit it to state and national regulators through an automated flight following device.

BSN’s tracking solutions also meet Canadian and United Nations automated flight following requirements. Aside from meeting regulatory requirements, BSN offers aerial firefighting customers an array of custom features, including: fire perimeter overlays, to help establish fire boundaries; and active fire satellite imaging, to track the progress of a fire.

Also, BSN’s satellite tracking device, the HawkEye 7200A, is now factory qualified for the Sikorsky S-70 Firehawk, the firefighting variant of the UH-60L.

Blue Sky Network

Blue Sky Network is an industry-leading provider of mission-critical fleet management, tracking, and operational analytics solutions serving private, commercial, and government customers worldwide.

Founded in 2001, Blue Sky Network is headquartered in San Diego, California, with customers and distributors in more than 50 countries. For more information about Blue Sky Network products and services, visit www.blueskynetwork.com or call +1 858-551-3894 (United States) or +353 86-780-6445 (Europe).

For more information, press only:

Carlos Gomez
+1 858-551-3894
[email protected]

Blue Sky Network Solutions Integrate ATU Data

The tracking and fleet management leader now integrates Additional Telemetry Unit (ATU) data to its hardware and software solutions.

 

 

SAN DIEGO— Feb. 12, 2019 – Blue Sky Network (BSN), a satellite communications and fleet management pioneer, today announced its industry-leading software, SkyRouter, will integrate with Olympic Aero Services’ Series 606 Additional Telemetry Unit.

The Series 606 ATU is an FAA-approved system that records firefighting data and sends it to a remote portal via the firefighting aircraft’s Automated Flight Following (AFF) system.

While most firefighting fleets are in for maintenance, current BSN D1000 customers will have access to the ATU firmware upgrade for free.

BSN now offers the 606 ATU device for purchase, which also integrates with its latest aircraft tracking system, the HawkEye 7200A.

 

“We are very excited to be offering this capability to our aerial firefighting customers,” said Nick Tucky, BSN’s business development director. “This will also make it easier for existing and new customers to upgrade their current systems or shop for a fully compliant system that meets U.S. Forest Service requirements.”

 

U.S. Forest Service (USFS) 2018 regulations mandate firefighting helicopters to collect ATU data and transmit it to state and national regulators through an AFF device. This requires firefighting aircraft to report certain data in the AFF format, including: tank or bucket openings and closings; gallons filled and gallons dropped; and events with GPS data—time, latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, and heading.

ATU data can now integrate with Blue Sky Network software and hardware to transmit the data via the Iridium satellite network to the AFF’s central fire suppression database.

The Series 606 ATU supports helicopter aerial fire fighting operations for both airframe-mounted water tanks or water buckets, complying with all USFS contractual requirements.

Blue Sky Network

Blue Sky Network is an industry-leading provider of mission-critical fleet management, tracking, and operational analytics solutions serving private, commercial, and government customers worldwide.

Founded in 2001, Blue Sky Network is headquartered in San Diego, California, with customers and distributors in more than 50 countries. For more information about Blue Sky Network products and services, visit www.blueskynetwork.com or call +1 858-551-3894.

For more information, press only:

Carlos Gomez

+1 858-551-3894

[email protected]

Rock Seven: Blue Sky Network launches RockAIR tracking device in the American aviation marketplace

 

• Global satellite technology company Blue Sky Network extols the virtues of Rock Seven’s acclaimed tracking and messaging unit for its US customer base

Blue Sky Network (BSN), the market-leading, San Diego-based specialist in global satellite technology, has this week revealed that Rock Seven’s RockAIR fleet tracking and messaging device is now part of its product portfolio.

The partnership between the two companies is well-founded. In June 2018, BSN announced the integration of its cloud-based SkyRouter tracking, communications and fleet management portal within Rock Seven’s dual-mode Iridium/GSM RockFLEET tracker. By this means, BSN has been able to reinforce and increase its presence in the maritime market, leveraging the RockFLEET’s versatility as a standalone GPS tracker with suitability for permanent mounting on vessels ranging from yachts and fishing craft to commercial ships.

BSN’s SkyRouter solution will also now be integrated with the RockAIR. The RockAIR unit’s small form factor has been designed for easy portability and convenient but unobtrusive positioning on the dashboards of light aircraft, rotorcraft and land vehicles, with a variety of mounting (and quick-release) options. Its least-cost routing capability enables the built-in GSM to use terrestrial mobile networks wherever practicable, but the unit will automatically switch to the Iridium satellite network in areas where GSM is inaccessible.

With the truly global coverage that this service provides, clients can track and communicate with assets in any location. Obtaining a position via the GPS network, the tracker will subsequently transmit this data (using GSM or Iridium, as appropriate) back to BSN’s SkyRouter system.

The RockAIR also enables full two-way communication from anywhere, in the form of texts, brief emails or social media posts, with the use of a paired Bluetooth device such as a smartphone or tablet and the RockCONNECT app. Running on a 9-30V external power supply, the RockAIR features an internal battery for back-up, which allows up to a fortnight of usage.

 

“We are very excited to partner with Rock Seven and bring the capabilities of the RockAIR, along with the robust features of our SkyRouter command and control platform, to customers requiring a reliable and flexible tracking solution,” adds Nick Tucky, BSN’s business development director. “The ability to seamlessly switch between satellite and GSM networks helps our clients to save money in their operations while benefitting from the safety and security vehicle tracking provides.”

 

“There can be no greater validation of the importance of vehicle and asset tracking than BSN’s continued enthusiasm to bring Rock Seven’s technology to customers in the US,” says Nick Farrell, Director, Rock Seven. “The combination of the RockAIR and SkyRouter represents a service of incredible value and comprehensiveness, taking communications and tracking to the next level.”

 

About Rock Seven

Rock Seven is a manufacturer of Iridium-based satellite tracking & communication systems and an airtime contracts provider. The Rock Seven portfolio includes the RockSTAR, RockAIR & RockFLEET tracking systems, the RockBLOCK M2M product, and The CORE web-based tracking management solution.

Founded in 2005, the company aims to make satellite communications & tracking accessible to everybody in a simple and easy to understand way. Rock Seven provides services to a wide range of organisations, ranging from government and military to NGOs, private companies, ship-owners and consumers.

http://www.rock7.com

RockFLEET combines low initial outlay and airtime costs with a compact, lightweight and easy to install design.

About Blue Sky Network

Blue Sky Network is a pioneer in the development of satellite tracking systems and two-way communication for remotely active private, commercial and government fleets worldwide. It is a major supplier of satellite tracking and communication solutions supporting fleet managers and operators monitoring aviation, land and maritime assets.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, with a wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil, Blue Sky Network’score business is leveraging the Iridium satellite network with its tracking and communication hardware integrated with its secure, cloud-based SkyRouter Command Centre.

Blue Sky Network’s advanced solutions include dual-mode (GSM-Iridium) devices that take care of least-cost routing in overlapping coverage environments and satellite services.

www.blueskynetwork.com

Blue Sky Network Sponsors Team for Tampa Bay Frogman Swim

Blue Sky Network (BSN) is happy to announce it is sponsoring a team at this year’s Tampa Bay Frogman Swim, Jan. 13. The Frogman Swim is a 3.1-mile open water swim across Tampa Bay, in Florida, to raise funds for the Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF).

BSN is sponsoring Wall Street satellite and space analyst Chris Quilty, who has competed in the event for the last nine years. Quilty will be competing along with members of his family to raise $10,000 for the NSF.

 

 

The first swim was held in January 2010 with about 40 swimmers. It raised $30,000 for a Navy SEAL service member who lost both legs after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan.

Now in its tenth year, the race is capped at 175 swimmers. Last year, the event raised more than $600,000 to support the families of fallen SEALs with scholarships and educational support for their spouses and children.

The NSF is a four-star rated charity supporting Navy SEALs and their families with a variety of services, including: physical rehabilitation; scholarships and educational support; and mortgage assistance.

If you would like to support Team Quilty’s efforts, donate here.