Overhead Communications

News

CWID Exercise in Colorado Springs

June 14 - 24, 2010

Overhead Communications participated in the CWID Exercise in Colorado Springs from June 14 - 24, 2010 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Participants were from the United States Armed Forces, the Canadian Forces, the UK Ministry of Defense, the Australian Defense Force as well as several civilian organizations. The different events stretched out during the two week exercise showcased the capabilities of the Bluestream™ Communications Network. Several aspects were aerostat based communications, surveillance, remote command structure, interoperable communications and data distribution. View a few video samples here.

The operations were handled by a group of soldiers from from Ft. Bragg. Training took place on the first day of the exercise and Overhead Communications™ staff were on-site strictly for technical support. After just a day of training, the system was operational in the hands of the army warfighters.

Quoted Text From CWID tests latest in communications for warfighters:

One example of the systems tested this year is the Aerostat for Communications and Surveillance in Disaster and Wartime balloon. The system has a built-in remote control camera that allows the exchange of information, dissemination of related data, and real-time direction to deployed first responders. It offers a variety of communications and surveillance payloads to support the mission, said Master Sgt. Ronnie Williams, a first sergeant with the 207th Army Liaison Team at Fort Bragg. Sixteen Airmen are participating in CWID at Hanscom AFB, Mass., as role players in a scenario involving a terrorist attack. Aerostat will provide video surveillance to track terrorists and damage to the area, and facilitate radio communications.

CWID is a Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed annual event that engages cutting-edge information technology and focus on operational shortfalls identified by combatant commanders and government agencies. Technologies are approved for participation because they address a new information-sharing capability or might improve an existing capability. Assessment results are captured in CWID's annual final report which informs defense, federal, state and local acquisition decision-makers. The final report is scheduled to be published by October or November.

CWID News

June 14 - 24, 2010

Overhead Communications, will be participating in the CWID Exercise to demonstrate the capabilities of the Bluestream™ Communications Network. The exercise will take place June 14 - 24, 2010 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information on how to attend, please contact us today.

State of Texas News

March 11, 2010

Overhead Communications was hosted at Camp Mabry in Austin by the Texas National Guard to demonstrate the benefits of aerostat based communications and surveillance in a emergency response event. The AS 2050SL System was the system demonstrated. The system consisted of a self-launching aerostat that was capable of carrying a payload weighing 50 pounds. The integrated system payload included a RF repeater provided by the National Guard as well as a camera that can provide standard video and infrared Imaging, complete with telemetry data about the camera as well as the target image. In attendance were officials from the Texas National Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, National Guard Bureau and emergency response agencies.

Live Bluestream™ Demonstration to State of Texas

March 10, 2010

Overhead Communications, will host a live demonstration of the Bluestream™ Communications Network to State of Texas, National Guard, State of Florida, FEMA and Department of Homeland Security on March 10, 2010, at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. Event is open to the media.

Overhead Communications to Attend Texas Homeland Security Conference

February 15-18, 2010

Overhead Communications, the leading industry integrator of high-tech aerial communications and command and control systems, today announced the company will exhibit its heralded Bluestream™ Communications Network to the 5,000 representatives of law enforcement, border and port security, transportation and cyber security, as well as firefighters, emergency medical personnel and Texas military forces attending the 2010 Texas Homeland Security Conference to be held on February 15-18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The Bluestream™ Communication Network features high performance aerostats with various airborne communications payloads and synchronization with ground support command and control centers. The system is highly adaptable to offer first responders, law enforcement and military personnel a rapidly deployable, large-scale communications network.

Overhead Communications to Demonstrate Bluestream™

June 8, 2009

Overhead Communications announced today that it will be hosting demonstrations of its Bluestream™ Communications Network, Monday June 8, 2009, near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The demonstration will feature an interoperable communications payload flown on a "next-generation", High-Performance Aerostat (Star-Tower 200), provided by Overhead Communication's partner Global Near Space Services. The aerostat will be tethered with a fiber optic cable and will carry the fully interoperable communications payload to 1000 feet.

The demonstration will provide attendees a firsthand look at Bluestream™ and its ability to provide wide-area interoperable communications in locations with little, or no communications infrastructure. The demonstration will also highlight the benefits of airborne, long duration, and wide-area communications in response to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, earthquakes and other catastrophic events that require a large scale response.

Overhead Communications has confirmed attendees from many different industries to include; DHS, U.S. Military, FEMA, Emergency Responders, Customs & Border Patrol, and Oil & Gas. Overhead Communications spokesman Rob Campbell, confirmed that openings where still available for attending the demonstrations. Interested individuals or organizations should contact Overhead Communications at 281-226-5175 to inquire about attending.

Overhead Communications to Attend the 2009 Oklahoma Aerospace Summit & Expo

June 15-18, 2009

Overhead Communications is proud to announce it will be exhibiting and providing demonstrations at the 2009 Oklahoma Aerospace Summit & Expo in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

We will have our Blueverse™ Demonstration Trailer on hand to provide demonstrations of disaster response and remote communication interoperability solutions. Our exhibit location is to be determined. We will have a 1/7th scale aerostat and our payload box assembly on display. Our demonstration trailer will be located outside the conference center.

Please check back. We will be posting our exhibit and demonstration areas soon.

Overhead Communications Attends National Guard Association of Texas Conference

March 27-29 2009

Overhead Communications is proud to announce it will be exhibiting and providing demonstrations at the 2009 National Guard Association of Texas Conference in Austin, Texas. We will have our Blueverse™ Demonstration Trailer on hand to provide demonstrations of disaster response and remote communication interoperability solutions.

Our exhibit will be located at booths 33 and 34. We will have a 1/7th scale aerostat and our payload box assembly on display. Our demonstration trailer will be located on the sidewalk area behind the hotel.

Overhead Communications Debuts Bluestream Communications Network at Texas Homeland Security Conference

March 23-26, 2009

San Antonio TX - Overhead Communications unveiled its revolutionary Bluestream™ Communications Network solution at the 2009 Texas Homeland Security Conference.

The Bluestream™ Communication Network features a high performance aerostat system an airborne communications payload and a ground support vehicle. The system was designed to offer first responders and military personnel rapidly deployable, large scale communications networks. Bluestream™ is ideal for providing critical communications interoperability after large scale disasters. Overhead Communications spokesperson, Justin West stated "The system has excellent application for restoring communications after hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, ice storms or any natural or man-made disaster. It also works well for emergency response or operations in isolated areas where communications towers and infrastructure don't exist, for example wild fires or deployed military operations over land or sea."

The Bluestream™ Communications Network utilizes a next generation tethered aerostat provided by Overhead Communications' business partner Global Near Space Services. This new aerostat called the Star◊Tower 200, flies at 2000 feet, can stay airborne for over 30 days and can operate in wind conditions up to 70 knots. Suspended below the Star◊Tower 200 is a gyro-stabilized lightweight, rugged payload box that houses communications systems and high definition video and infrared sensing equipment. The payload box is interchangeable depending on the mission and can be exchanged out in a matter of minutes by retracting the tether and then re-launching the system.

Once deployed, the Bluestream™ Communications Network provides a meshed communications network with a 54 mile radius coverage area or around 9,100 square miles. The system allows first responders to communicate with cell phones, land mobile radios, laptop computers and other communications devices. It even allows a fireman using a cell phone to talk to a policeman from another city using his walkie-talkie.

Unfortunately, for the rest of us civilians, the Bluestream™ Network is private and secure enough to get the NSA's stamp of approval, so it won't help us get our cell phone coverage back any sooner.

Overhead Communications Joins the 100 Club

February 20, 2009

Overhead Communications is now a proud corporate member of the 100 Club. We proudly salute the men and women who protect us and their families. We look forward to a long relationship with the 100 Club and with the first responders we proudly support using our products and services. We thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

The 100 Club is a well-recognized organization providing benefits to the dependents of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The 100 Club began in Houston in 1953 when 100 men, each contributing $100, wanted to help the families of Houston Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty.

The effort put forth by these men has developed into over a half century of support for law enforcement and now firefighters in Harris County, and seventeen surrounding counties - Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Liberty, Madison, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Walker, Waller, and Washington counties.