U.S. Marine Corps Utilizes Iridium to Enhance Asset
Tracking
U.S. Marines with the 2nd Force Service
Support Group (FSSG) implemented an Iridium satellite-enabled
equipment identification and tracking system to provide
a critical in-transit visibility and asset tracking
capability in support of the warfighter.
The system, which is under trial with
the 2nd FSSG at Camp Lejeune, incorporates radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags and Web-based tracking software
to locate and track the movement of vital supplies for
warfighters at the front. The system relies on Iridium’s
network of low-earth-orbit satellites to relay data
in real time from RF interrogators and to track vehicles
and other assets.
“The ultimate goal of this technology
is to ensure front-line commanders know the exact location
of vital equipment and supplies anywhere in the supply
chain, as well as to decrease delivery times to the
battlefield,” said Ngoc Hoang, president of NAL
Research, an Iridium value-added reseller.
The RFID tags – low-power radio
transmitters attached to equipment pallets and containers
– contain up to 128K in supply level detail and
are read by interrogator devices set up near the entrances
to bases and supply hubs. Portable Iridium terminals
transmit the data to an Internet-based tracking system.
Commanders can determine the location and status of
a shipment by logging onto the Web site.
The Marines are also able to track
the status of equipment in transit and determine the
location of vehicles and other assets using NAL Research
Iridium tracking terminals. These terminals provide
GPS location data at time intervals determined by the
user, and can be “pinged” to report and
controlled remotely via satellite.
“NAL
Research works closely with Iridium to develop innovative
solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and other
government agencies and commercial users leveraging
our global satellite connectivity,” said Greg
Ewert, executive vice president, Iridium Satellite.
“The U.S. Marine Corps supply tracking system
is a good example of how Iridium’s data communication
services can satisfy a wide range of asset tracking
and management applications.” |
19
December 2005 
