Becker Avionics announces first delivery of the brand new MR510 Personal Locator Beacon

Becker Avionics, a leading provider of communication, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications, announced today the first delivery of the brand new MR510 Personal Locator Beacon. The MR510 targets professionals that desire the highest reliability and performance when it comes to survival equipment.

The MR510 is the only Personal Locator Beacon on the market which provides an integrated, extractable 3 band VHF/UHF antenna and an integrated GPS antenna in a single compact housing.

Otto Bommer, Vice President of Product Development at Becker Avionics, commented, "We are very excited having achieved this important milestone. The team has done an excellent job in managing this French/German bi-national R&D project and the product has reached or exceeded all set product performance criteria. The new MR510 is a top-notch product that should quickly achieve success in the market place."

The MR510 is the most advanced COSPAS-SARSAT certified handheld PLB available today and is a rugged, multipurpose survival radio and locator device designed for civil and military aircrews, mariners, and ground personnel.
Transmissions from the MR510 are omnidirectional and continue for at least 24 hours at temperature extremes down to -20°C (Class 2) to help facilitate detection by satellite, aircraft or vessels, or by any other land, sea or airborne installations monitoring these frequencies. Class 1 performance (24 hours at -40°C) is available on request.
The new MR510 PLB features:

• COSPAS-SARSAT Certification
• Designed for all Airborne, Land and Marine applicationsMulti Emergency Band - 121.5 MHz, 243.0 MHz and 406 MHz
• Two-way VHF or UHF Voice Communication (programmable)
• Remote activation of voice reception through a 1kHz pilot tone to address the user
• Fully Self-Contained (Transceiver, V/UHF/C-S Antennas, with latest Generation 12 Channel GPS)
• Compact. Lightweight, with State-of-the-Art Technology
• Manual or Automatic Activation by Lanyard or Water Immersion
• Extensive Battery Life
• Life Vest and Ejection Seat Capability
• Watertight to 10 Meters (33 ft)
• Initiated Built-In-Test
• Compliance with: Stanag 7007 P 1 PSAR, MIL-STD 810E, ED-14E (DO-160E)

When activated, the device transmits sweep tone radio distress signals on the international VHF/UHF emergency frequencies, simultaneously sending messages on the COSPAS-SARSAT (CIS) satellite frequency, providing detection and accurate positioning anywhere in the world. Automatic activation either by lanyard or water immersion as well as one handed manual operation is also an important capability.

Two way voice communications with SAR crews is utilized through VHF or UHF aviation and marine emergency frequencies mode that also aids in locating the user. This feature can be manually or remotely activated when the unit is operating in beacon mode. A simple built in test (BIT) function ensures quick and easy operational readiness of the unit and is self contained with a waterproof to a depth of 10 meters and battery shelf life of over five years.

The MR510 PLB is designed to be used as a personal hand-carried emergency locator device. When used aboard an aircraft, vessel or vehicle, no installation provisions like mounting brackets or electrical interfacing is required.
Becker Avionics utilized the proven experience gained from the reliable MR506/509 model PLB to develop and field the new MR510 with advanced technology designed for many years of reliable use and capability.

Source: Becker Avionics