Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Sanswire Invites Public to US Debut of Its STS-111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle


Demonstration of Cutting Edge Airship to Take Place at Sanford International Airport, Orlando, FL
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - 12/29/09) - Sanswire Corp. (OTC.BB:SNSR - News), through its joint venture Sanswire-TAO Corp., today announced that it opened requests to cordially invite interested parties to the US unveiling of the STS-111 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle tentatively scheduled for the second quarter of 2010 at Sanford International Airport (SFB) in Orlando, Florida. Exact dates will be promulgated at a later time. Sanswire has posted a special request form on www.sanswire.com/invite where shareholders, investors, members of the media, aerospace industry executives, US military personnel, as well as federal and state government officials can request a formal invitation to the event.
The demonstration of the STS-111 UAV will take place on runway 9R-27L at Sanford International Airport, and will feature flight tests and systems presentations that showcase the unique capabilities of the STS-111 and demonstrate how the airship could be deployed in various global and homeland security applications. In addition, attendees can participate in a "hands-on" inspection of the STS-111 and the craft's onboard systems.
The STS-111 is a Mid Altitude Long Endurance (MALE), lighter-than-air UAV designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The STS-111 airship is a low-cost unmanned platform designed to be rapidly deployed, and ideally suited to work in tandem with currently deployed heavier-than-air UAVs in global operations. The STS-111 incorporates Sanswire-TAO's patented segmented design, which utilizes a non-rigid articulating structure. Under gust loads, this proprietary design allows the airship's segments to articulate and relieve stress, greatly enhancing the craft's stability. The increased stability of this design provides all of the benefits associated with a lighter-than-air vehicle to be employed in Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions.
Captain David Christian, CEO of Sanswire, said, "We are pleased with the progress of our airship program and are looking forward to the opportunity to share this long awaited event with our supporters and the general public. Following this demonstration, we plan to deliver the STS-111 to our systems integrator and operations partner, which we strongly believe is a major milestone for lighter-than-air aviation, as well as for Sanswire-TAO."
The public demonstration of the STS-111 in Orlando, FL, will be similar to an earlier private viewing held on December 18, 2009, in Stuttgart, Germany. To view video of that event, or to download the Sanswire STS-111 invitation request form, please visit www.Sanswire.com.
About Sanswire-TAO Corp.
Sanswire-TAO exclusively owns and markets all the technology and intellectual property associated with TAO's lighter-than-air (LTA) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), including the Stratellite(TM) high-altitude airships, the STS-111 Mid-altitude airships, the low-altitude SAS-51 airship, and the PADDS (Precision Air Drop Delivery System) in the US, Canada and Mexico. Sanswire-TAO Corp. is jointly owned by TAO Technologies GmbH and Sanswire Corp. For more information, visit www.sanswire-tao.com.
About Sanswire Corp.
Sanswire Corp. (OTC.BB:SNSR - News) is a developer of integrated aerospace communications products and services. The company specializes in the design and construction of autonomous, lighter-than-air UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) capable of carrying payloads that provide persistent security solutions at low, mid, and high altitudes. Sanswire's airships and auxiliary products are designed for use by commercial and government-related entities that require real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support for homeland defense, maritime, and border missions. The company's long-term objective is to develop and deliver state-of-the-art airship technology that provides surveillance sensor suites and other advanced wireless broadband capabilities to the broader commercial markets.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "forecast," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," and similar expressions and all statements, which are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, any of which could cause the Company's previously reported actual results, performance (finance or operating) to change or differ from future results, performance (financing and operating) or achievements, including those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no, and hereby disclaims any, obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release
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Contact:
Contact:The Investor Relations Group

212-825-3210
Jason Strominger (Investor Relations)
Mike Graff (Media Relations)

TeleCommunication Systems on Pace to Power Nearly 700 Billion Text Messages in 2009; Averaging Over 2 Billion Messages per Day

Signs Multi-Quarter Contract With Leading Wireless Carrier to Support Messaging Efforts
ANNAPOLIS, MD--(Marketwire - 12/29/09) - TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS - News), a leading provider of mission-critical wireless communications, today announced the company's Short Message Service Center (SMSC) application running on platforms in wireless carriers' networks is set to process close to 700 billion text messages by the end of 2009 and is poised to handle the tremendous surge in messaging forecasted for this holiday season. TCS' messaging software has already powered approximately 480 billion messages through the third quarter of this year, surpassing the expected two billion messages per day mark. The company expanded its deployed messaging platform base by nearly 30 percent in 2009, as TCS wireless carrier customers continue to experience and forecast strong growth in text messaging. According to a recent report from Frost and Sullivan, the text messaging demand is estimated to increase by more than 50 percent in 2010.
Based on latest growth trends, TCS messaging software in carrier customers' networks is expected to power well over two and a half times the volume it handled in 2008 by the end of 2009. Additionally, TCS expects the upcoming 2009 New Year's Eve busiest hour spike to be nearly three times the spike of last year.
TCS is also pleased to announce that it has signed another multi-quarter capacity agreement with its largest commercial customer to extend support for the continued rapid rate of text messaging growth. This agreement, as well as record license sales for TCS in 2009, illustrates that text messaging is seemingly recession-proof, with continued significant growth expected in 2010.
"Our largest commercial customer has again shown its confidence in our messaging applications by committing to purchase a large amount of capacity through the end of 2010," said Drew Morin, TCS Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President. "This validates the reliability of our messaging platform and its ability to easily scale to support rapidly growing text message volumes within the world's largest carrier networks. This solution is performance engineered to withstand extremely high spikes in traffic. We look forward to setting a new record in messages processed over the holiday season, as well as enabling new innovative applications over the coming year."
A key driver of text messaging growth is social media. Social networking applications are playing a large role in driving Short Message Service (SMS) growth beyond rates initially envisioned, as more and more consumers have recognized the power of SMS integrated with social media applications as a cost effective and timely method of communicating with their network of friends, family and business associates. Twitter is one such application that TCS expects will continue to play a major role in driving future SMS growth. According to a recent statement by the co-founder of Twitter, "There are over one billion people with Internet access on the planet but there are more than four billion people with mobile phones and Twitter can work on all of them because even the simplest of these devices feature SMS."
TCS' next-generation Short Message Service Center (SMSC) offers flexible deployment options and allows operators to configure its systems to meet customer messaging traffic needs. The TCS next-generation SMSC supports store and forward, first delivery attempts and voting capabilities over standard air interfaces and over mobile broadband.
About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS - News) engineers and delivers highly reliable wireless communications technology. TCS is a leader in wireless text messaging and location-based technology, including E9-1-1 services and commercial applications like navigation that use the precise location of a wireless device, and secure satellite-based communications systems and services. Customers include leading wireless and VoIP carriers around the world, cable MSOs, automotive telematics vendors, and agencies of the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security. TCS is one of six primary vendors on a $5 billion Army Worldwide Satellite Systems Contract vehicle. For more information, visit www.telecomsys.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon TCS' current expectations and assumptions that if incorrect would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Risks include without limitation the possibility that the contract will not be fully funded, and those detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise.

Contact:
Company Contact:
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
Meredith Allen
410-295-1865
Media Contact:
Welz & Weisel Communications
Evan Weisel
703-218-3555
Investor Relations:
Liolios Group, Inc.
Scott Liolios
949-574-3860

Saab Signs Contract With LIG Nex1 For Localisation of Signal Intelligence Systems for Submarines

STOCKHOLM, Sweden-- December 29, 2009, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:
Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with LIG Nex1 for the localisation of Saab’s naval ESM system for the South Korean second batch of Class 214 submarines. The order value is close to MEUR 11 (approximately MSEK 114).
The contract, which sees LIG Nex1 localise parts of the Saab ESM (Electronic Support Measures) system, is for the delivery of ESM systems to Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW) for the South Korean Navy’s second batch of Class 214 submarines.
“This contract underlines our capabilities in naval ESM systems and our good relationship with both LIG Nex1 and HDW. It also creates a new promising partnership with one of the biggest defence companies in South Korea,” says Micael Johansson, business unit manager, Saab Avitronics.
As the main contractor LIG Nex1 takes full responsibility for the ESM system. The co-establishment of an Integrated Test Bench, used for system acceptance and maintenance, at the LIG Nex1 production facilities in Gumi, South Korea, will also ensure future support of the system.
“This fruitful partnership with the South Korean industry and excellent relationship with the South Korean Navy creates a foundation which in partnership with LIG Nex1 will ensure continued success,” says Micael Johansson.
Saab was contracted in 2002 and successfully delivered ESM systems from its South African operations to HDW for the first batch of Korean Class 214 submarines. This second contract once again confirms Saab’s position as a world leader in ESM and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) systems for non-nuclear submarines. Saab’s submarine ESM systems have been sold and delivered to Greece, South Korea, Portugal and South Africa.
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
The information is that which Saab AB is required to declare by the Securities Business Act and/or the Financial instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on December 29 at 10.30.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

China eyes big jetliner test flight by 2014 -paper

SHANGHAI, Dec 29 (Reuters) - China aims to conduct its first test flight of a domestically developed large commercial jetliner by 2014 and to begin deliveries in 2016, the China Business News reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed executives from aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).
The company broke ground on Monday on an aircraft assembly plant near Shanghai that the executives said would be capable of producing 20 of the large jetliners, code-named the C919, and 50 regional ARJ21 jets per year by 2016, the newspaper reported.
Beijing has made public an ambitious goal of manufacturing large passenger jets with more than 150 seats and freighters capable of handling more than 100 tonnes of cargo to take on Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA) (EAD.DE).
After the delivery of the first C919 passenger jet, China will start working on larger jets with 250 seats, COMAC executives were quoted as saying.
China has not yet announced any orders for the C919 but has 208 orders for the ARJ21, including five firm orders from General Electric's (GE.N) aircraft leasing arm, GE Commercial Aviation Services. (Reporting by Fang Yan and Edmund Klamann)