Cubic Sees Demand for Next-Generation Personnel Locator System (PLS)

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Cubic Corporation (AMEX:CUB) reported that its Cubic Defense Applications subsidiary is seeing excellent demand for its next-generation Personnel Locator System (PLS).

Since the new system entered production last summer, the company has received orders for the new system totaling approximately $3 million. The United States Army Communication- Electronics Life Cycle Management Command (C-E LCMC) placed the largest order for 51 receiver/transmitters as spares to replace older-generation Cubic systems now flying aboard U.S. helicopters. Other customers include the United Arab Emirates Special Operations Command; U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne); U.S. Navy; and Agusta Westland, Inc.

Personnel locator systems allows military search and rescue crews to locate downed pilots and extract them quickly and without detection by enemy forces. Basic components include an airborne receiver-transmitter and DF antenna, which work in conjunction with a military survival radio.

Cubic’s updated AN/ARS-6 V12 system features interoperability with the new-generation survival radios like General Dynamics’ PRC-112G HOOK Radio and Boeing’s PRQ-7 CSEL radio. It offers new data features that allow two-way text messaging and GPS location from the latest survival radios, as well as backward interoperability with all standard emergency beacons.

The smaller, lighter and more powerful V12 system also has extended and improved voice communications over the entire UHF spectrum, and highly accurate azimuth measurements from a new DF antenna.

“We are getting requests for information about the V12 system almost weekly, from both domestic and foreign customers,” said George Benedict, PLS senior program manager for Cubic.

The Cubic Defense Applications group, one of Cubic Corporation’s two major segments, is a world leader in realistic combat training systems, mission support services and defense electronics. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's Web site at www.cubic.com.