The General Dynamics HOOK3 Combat Survival Radio team recently joined an Air Force Operational Unit Evaluation which included a simulated search and rescue mission to locate a downed NASA crew.
The exercise simulated a NASA Commercial Crew Program launch abort and subsequent splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, out of range and out of reach of existing planned rescue resources. This weeklong test event was held at Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Using an Air Force C-17 serving as the rescue vehicle carrying pararescue jumpers (PJs), rafts and gear, the craft flew to the last known position of the capsule and began the search.
Our HOOK3 radio team joined in the week of testing, culminating in simulated rescue efforts. General Dynamics technical team member Jon Wootten was on board the space capsule with our HOOK3 radio. He successfully communicated with fellow team member Tom Hams who was using our QuickDraw2 Interrogator inside the C-17 aircraft.
