If we are talking about genuine flight following, for aircraft safety reasons - not tactical/operational - then why can't something like Skytrac be used?
SkyTrac.ca - Flight Following
Flight Following
SkyTrac’s comprehensive flight following solutions comprise on-board and ground-based components. On board the aircraft, the DSAT or ISAT automatically obtain position data from the GPS constellation and automatically transmit this information to the ground using the Iridium constellation. Position reports are sent at intervals that can be configured by the operator. The transmission of these reports happens without the need for intervention by the crew.
On the ground, position reports are sent from the Iridium gateway to the SkyTrac data centre from where they are forwarded to SkyTrac’s customers.
To turn the raw data of position reports into useful information, SkyTrac provides its customers with powerful software tools for monitoring/tracking, mapping and reporting:
I think forces already have systems that can tell a control room where resources are. The problem with those and as far as I can see also with Skytrac, is that if the ac has to land for whatever reason, how does it tell if the ac has landed or crashed? How would the control room staff interpret an aircraft symbol next to lets say the Malvern Hills? In the hover, orbit, landed or crashed?
IMHO safe flight following in this type of operation can only be obtained by means of 2 way radio communication, whether it is with an ATSU, control room or bobby on the beat.
I don't think anyone is suggesting Satracs 2 way communication ISAT solution x24 ...are they ?£$?
SkyTrac.ca - ISAT
Besides, who do you think will have to pay for the certification for the 135, 902 or future types?
SkyTrac.ca - Aircraft Types
On a more technical note;
SATCOM - More than the name implies | HeliMx
Since helicopters do not normally fly global missions, you might wonder why a helicopter operator would want to invest in the cost of such a system when so many other types of communications are available. In this instance, there is more than just voice and text communications involved. There is also the ability to track the helicopter’s progress and pinpoint its location anywhere in the world. The following is a telephone interview with Shane Meluck of SkyTrac Systems in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
The most common symptom found in helicopter installations is the antenna cable is not connected tight enough, and due to the helicopter’s high vibration environment, the cable has worked itself loose.
Like most systems that are transmitting and receiving RF energy, the local surroundings play a part in how well the system can transmit and receive. Mountains, deep valleys and proximity to metal structures such as a hangar all play a part in how well the system performs.
I bet there's an App for this
App Store - SkyWeb Mobile