PR NEWS

Iridium satellite phones for use by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan

ITT Corporation has reportedly received a contract from the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division to supply 1,450 Iridium-based handheld tactical satellite communication devices for use by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to ITT officials, as per the fixed-price contract, valued at $9.7 million, the company will manufacture and deliver the Distributed Tactical Communications Systems – Radio Only (DTCS-RO) transceivers by March 2010.

Iridium Communications Inc. is a mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe.

NSWC in June awarded Iridium a five-year development contract valued at up to $21.7 million for Phase Two of the DTCS program, also known as “Netted Iridium.”

Earlier in 2006, in Phase One, Iridium worked with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and industry partners under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to demonstrate the feasibility of using Iridium’s satellite network to support a multicast architecture for tactical voice and data communications.

The DoD tested proof-of-concept units, and has successfully deployed early prototypes and low-rate production devices in combat operations.

According to Iridium officials, under Phase Two, the company is making in-orbit upgrades to the satellites and ground infrastructure to expand the footprint of DTCS nets from 100 to 250 miles, and to permit more than 2,000 nets to be activated simultaneously on the satellite network.

The upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of December 2009.

1,000th High-Bandwidth Maritime Satellite Terminal Activated By Iridium.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) informed the activation of the 1,000th Iridium OpenPort(R) marine satellite terminal aboard the Euronav tanker MV Fraternity.

Iridium’s service provider AND Group plc installed and commissioned the Iridium OpenPort unit, which utilizes AND’s IPSignature communication management software for voice and data calls.

Wouter Deknopper, Iridium’s director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, presented a framed certificate to the shipowner on December 3 commemorating the event.

Fraternity is a new double-hull Belgium-flagged 159,000 deadweight ton tanker just provided to Euronav from the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea. It is the 13th Euronav vessel to be fitted with Iridium OpenPort, and the company is currently installing the Iridium satcom terminals on 20 more ships.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. and international government agencies. The Company’s customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., U.S.A. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units).

About Euronav

Euronav (www.euronav.com) is one of the world’s leading independent tanker companies engaged in the ocean transportation of crude oil and petroleum products. The company operates a modern fleet of ultra-large and very-large crude carriers and smaller Suezmax-size tankers. Euronav manages its fleet through three wholly owned subsidiaries: Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd., based in Piraeus, Greece, and Euronav Ship Management SA and Euronav SAS, both French companies with headquarters in Nantes and a major branch office in Antwerp.

About AND Group

Founded in 1974 in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, U.K., AND Group plc (www.and-group.net) is an internationally recognized provider of communication services to the marine and offshore sector. The company provides design, management, consulting and installation services across the mobile satellite service sector to a wide variety of clients operating in the marine and oil and gas industries. The company’s recently launched IPSignature software platform is designed to optimize satellite communication and costs while providing a flexible administration-free access for crew.

ITT Produce “Netted Iridium” Tactical Radio Handsets To Support U.S Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) and ITT Corporation (NYSE:ITT) informed that ITT has received a contract from the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division to supply 1,450 Iridium-based handheld tactical satellite communication equipment for use by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under the firm, fixed-price contract, valued at $9.7 million, ITT will produce and deliver the Distributed Tactical Communications Systems – Radio Only (DTCS-RO) transceivers by March 2010. The DTCS-RO handheld push-to-talk radios use the Iridium satellite network to deliver over-the-horizon, beyond-line-of-sight tactical networks for warfighters on the move.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. and international government agencies. The Company’s customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., U.S.A. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units).

About ITT Corporation

ITT Corporation (www.itt.com) is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management; global defense and security; and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2008 sales of $11.7 billion.