Aria completes installation of the Axsys V-14 MSII cameras and troll systems downlinks in Royal Thai Army Bell 212 and UH-1 Helicopters

Aria International Incorporated, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Aria International Holdings, Inc., a company focused on providing specialized surveillance and communications solutions to a global customer base, is pleased to announce that it successfully demonstrated and delivered integrated cameras and downlink systems installed on Royal Thai Army (RTA) helicopters.

The Bell 212 and Bell UH-1H "Huey" platforms form an integral component in the airborne surveillance system being designed and delivered to the RTA. The first phase of this state-of-the-art surveillance system utilizes the Axsys V-14 MSII cameras mounted on three RTA helicopters along with advanced long-range down link systems manufactured by Troll Systems. The surveillance system is needed to support military actions that seek to discover and eliminate insurgent actions, detect illegal drug trafficking, and intercept illegal immigration in southern Thailand.

The three RTA helicopters (one UH-1H and two Bell 212's) now have the ability to conduct day and night surveillance missions and transmit real-time information to multiple locations around Thailand. Aria has also integrated the cameras with satellite communications systems allowing the transmission of the video in real-time to locations desired by the RTA. The system installed by Aria will allow military commanders in the region and at the RTA Headquarters in Bangkok to simultaneously monitor missions as they are being performed. The state-of-the-art cameras provide for HDTV quality pictures for the monitoring of activities at ranges unmatched by any competing systems on the market. The helicopters will also be able to share information and coordinate their activities in searching for illegal activity or responding to insurgent activity.

In addition to the cameras are the Troll Systems Corporation down-link systems capable of transmitting live day or night HDTV pictures to multiple locations simultaneously and over extended distances. These pictures are then transmitted to tactical operations centers, a mobile command vehicle, intelligence centers, and relayed via satellite communications to locations in Bangkok. The capability provides for real-time interaction between the ground forces and the intelligence forces that are coordinating the search for insurgents and the makers of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) in the South.

President of Aria, Mr. Mike "Bing" Crosby, stated: "The advanced surveillance system being designed and now implemented will provide critical intelligence in order to allow Thai officials to prosecute insurgents and criminals with greater effectiveness in the southern region of Thailand. Aria is committed to delivering the fully functional system to the RTA and to assist with its integration into existing systems as was initially envisioned by General Anupong. Our now fully demonstrated and validated modified helicopters are a component of the overall solution which will provide surveillance and communications systems to assist the Royal Thai Army with the necessary capabilities it requires to counter the increased insurgent activity and threats of crime, drug trafficking and terrorism."

Source: Aria