FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. and STUTTGART, Germany, Feb. 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Sanswire Networks, subsidiary of GlobeTel Communications Corp. (Pink Sheets:GTEM), and TAO-Technologies GmbH today announced that they've begun testing a lighter-than-air (LTA) platform capable of operating at altitudes of approximately 65,000 ft. The program's ultimate goal is to produce long endurance, LTA vehicles that provide various security- and communications-related services from the stratosphere for extended time periods.
The current phase of the program consists of several untethered air- and ground-based tests of the proprietary components and systems. Future phases will include the unveiling of the stratospheric vehicle, and testing at gradually increasing altitudes that would lead to the vehicle's launch into the stratosphere. Development and testing is ongoing, with the ultimate goal being one of the first controlled stratospheric flight and, as important, controlled return and recovery.
"We believe that with GlobeTel's market entrees and the vast knowledge from years of research and development by TAO, in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart, that we have put together a very specialized team with the capabilities to accomplish our high altitude goals," said Dr. Bernd Kroplin, president of TAO-Technologies.
Jonathan D. Leinwand, Chief Executive Officer of GlobeTel, stated, "Both of the teams at GlobeTel and TAO share the same goals and vision, and believe we can expedite the process to deliver a stratospheric solution to our partners for applications that are demanded globally."
On September 26, 2007, GlobeTel and TAO announced that they had reached an agreement in principle to form Sanswire-TAO GmbH, which will own the intellectual property associated with the design of high altitude airships. GlobeTel and TAO have since entered into an exclusive airship licensing agreement for territories including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Chile, and are working toward completion of Sanswire-TAO GmbH.
About Sanswire Networks and GlobeTel Communications Corp.
GlobeTel Communications Corp. (Pink Sheets:GTEM) develops and provides an integrated suite of terrestrial and aerospace telecommunications products and services, leveraging its advances in VoIP and Wireless Access technologies. Sanswire Networks is focused on the construction of airship platforms capable of carrying payloads that transmit various types of wireless communications and security solutions. For more information, please visit www.globetel.net.
About TAO Technologies GmbH
TAO Technologies GmbH, in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart, led by Professor Dr. Bernd Kroplin is highly regarded throughout the world for research, design, development and flight testing of various designs of aerial vehicles.
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