News

AAC Clyde Space AB, a leading New Space company, has entered a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate with ORBCOMM and Saab to develop the next generation of global maritime communication services based on a VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). The parties, collaborating under a new brand named AOS, aim both for services directed to end customers as well as for safety of navigation services. The goal of the consortium is to create a global maritime communication network enabling ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication everywhere on the globe.

The cooperation shall include both terrestrial and space-based demonstrations of selected applications, to help fine tune the joint VDES efforts.

“I look forward to extending our cooperation with Saab and ORBCOMM to realize our vision of creating the first dedicated maritime communication system, enabling great improvements for seafarers and their loved ones, the shipping industry as well as our planet,” says AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.

Greg Flessate, ORBCOMM’s SVP & GM, Government and AIS, stated “ORBCOMM is excited about further progressing our 20-plus year heritage and expertise in space-based maritime VHF communications. This is a natural evolution for ORBCOMM, from pioneering satellite AIS and now leading the way with two world-class organizations such as AAC Clyde Space and SAAB into space-based VDES. We especially look forward to working with our solutions partners in our long-established maritime information ecosystem to develop value-driven commercial and government applications and use cases for VDES.”

“The innovative VDES technology is gradually becoming established as the next generation of AIS. VDES will increase the maritime safety and contribute to a greener shipping industry. We are proud to be part of the AOS cooperation and look forward to having our first VDES satellite up in space next year”, says Johanna Gustafsson, Head of Transpondertech Saab.

Long term, the parties intend to create a global VDES communication network with low latency and a high, two-way bandwidth for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication everywhere on the globe.

AOS has been established as a brand for the continued development of VDES services and is co-owned between the parties. More information on AOS can be found at www.AOS-VDES.com.

In August 2020, AAC Group, Saab and ORBCOMM announced the development of a space-based VDES system, to which AAC will deliver a 3U demonstration satellite planned to launch in the second half of 2022. By adding space-based capability to VDES, the communication system’s range increases from the shoreline to anywhere in the ocean, converting what is currently a predominantly coastal system into a global maritime system. With up to 32 times more bandwidth than the current, widely used Automatic Identification System (AIS) communication, VDES can be integrated with e-navigation systems, enabling savings in fuel and emissions of up to 25 percent, aiding navigation, and increasing safety. The bandwidth also creates opportunities for a wide range of other services, such as delivery of weather data, messaging, etc.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please visit: www.aac-clyde.space or contact:
CEO Luis Gomes investor@aac-clydespace.com
CFO Mats Thideman, investor@aac-clydespace.com, mobile +46 70 556 09 73

ABOUT AAC CLYDE SPACE

AAC Clyde Space specialises in small satellite technologies and services that enable businesses, governments and educational organisations to access high-quality, timely data from space. Its growing capabilities bring together three divisions:

Space Data as a Service – delivering data from space directly to customers
Space missions – turnkey solutions that empower customers to streamline their space missions
Space products and components – a full range of off-the-shelf and tailor-made subsystems, components and sensors

AAC Clyde Space aims to become a world leader in commercial small satellites and services from space, applying advances in its technology to tackle global challenges and improve our life on Earth.

The Group’s main operations are located in Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South Africa and the USA, with partner networks in Japan and South Korea.

AAC Clyde Space’s shares are traded on Nasdaq First North Premier Stockholm. Erik Penser Bank AB, e-mail certifiedadviser@penser.se, telephone +46 8 463 83 00, is the Certified Adviser. The share is also traded on the US OTCQX- market under the symbol ACCMF.

ABOUT ORBCOMM INC.

ORBCOMM is a global leader and innovator in the industrial Internet of Things, providing solutions that connect businesses to their assets to deliver increased visibility and operational efficiency. The company offers a broad set of asset monitoring and control solutions, including seamless satellite and cellular connectivity, unique hardware and powerful applications, all backed by end-to-end customer support, from installation to deployment to customer care. ORBCOMM has a diverse customer base including premier OEMs, solutions customers and channel partners spanning transportation, supply chain, warehousing and inventory, heavy equipment, maritime, natural resources, and government. For more information, visit www.orbcomm.com. You can also connect with ORBCOMM at https://blog.orbcomm.com, on Twitter at @ORBCOMM_Inc, at https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbcomm or at https://www.youtube.com/c/ORBCOMM_Inc.

ORBCOMM Contacts
For Corporate Relations:
Michelle Ferris
VP of Corporate Communications
+1 703.462.3894
ferris.michelle@orbcomm.com
investorrelations@orbcomm.com

For Trade Media:
Lina Paerez
VP of Marketing
+1 613.875.1485
paerez.lina@orbcomm.com
mediarelations@orbcomm.com

ABOUT SAAB

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions within military defence and civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents around the world. Through innovative, collaborative and pragmatic thinking, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.