The most terrible reality is that the capability for tracking virtually all long-haul airframes (99.999%) already exists. It's called Inmarsat FANS-1/a ADS-C,

The most terrible reality is that the capability for tracking virtually all long-haul airframes (99.999%) already exists. It's called Inmarsat FANS-1/a ADS-C, which is now being offered to all airlines for free, post-MH370. It was present on the MH370 airframe (but for a cost), and could've located it to within tens of square miles instead of millions. http://www.inmarsat.com/news/inmarsat-provide-free-global-airline-tracking-service/ http://www.inmarsat.com/news/inmarsat-provide-free-global-ai... http://www51.honeywell.com/aero/common/documents/FMS_DirectTo_3rd_Editionrev1.pdf.pdf http://www51.honeywell.com/aero/common/documents/FMS_DirectT... http://members.optusnet.com.au/~cjr/CPDLC.htm http://members.optusnet.com.au/~cjr/CPDLC.htm