Panasonic Avionics Corporation Announces Acquisition of AirDat's Real-Time Weather Data and Superior Forecasting Technology

HAMBURG, Germany, April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC) today announced that it has expanded its product and service offering and its global communication network with the addition of AirDat's real-time weather data and superior forecasting technology.

Since 2003, AirDat's advanced technology has changed the way commercial airlines, governments, energy providers, and commodity investors use weather forecast modeling to make better operational decisions.

AirDat's core technology is its Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) sensor, a patented device designed to collect sophisticated weather data from the atmosphere during the flight of an aircraft. The data will be transmitted over Panasonic's global Ku-band aeronautical network and via the Iridium satellite network in real time to the AirDat operations center for analysis, distribution and assimilation into high-resolution models optimized for the real time data stream.  

TAMDAR is installed across a network of hundreds of commercial aircraft that are operated by more than a dozen partner airlines.  It collects thousands of highly detailed and accurate readings from the upper atmosphere each day.  In addition to the existing installed base, hundreds of additional aircraft around the world have been scheduled for TAMDAR installations.

Independent studies conducted by NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) scientists have found TAMDAR data quality and precision to equal or surpass those of weather balloon (radiosonde) data, which is the current global standard.

"At Panasonic Avionics, we see incredible opportunity in globally connecting aircraft," said Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer for Panasonic Avionics Corporation.  "Many industries such as aviation, energy, insurance and government will benefit from using the highly accurate real-time analysis of weather that will come from coupling AirDat technology with Panasonic's global aviation connectivity solutions"

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems. The company's best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 3,100 employees and operations in 80 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft. For additional information, please visit http://www.panasonic.aero.

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Steve Double
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SOURCE Panasonic Avionics Corporation