HOOK-3 handheld rescue radio. Under the cover of night in the enemy controlled area, a parachuting pilot took out a handheld device from his life-saving kit and began calling for rescue. Soon, the identity information and location of the pilot were displayed on the screen of the search and rescue command center hundreds of kilometers away, and a rescue operation began. The device that the pilot took out from the life-saving kit is a handheld life-saving radio. In recent years, some countries have focused on building and improving pilot search and rescue systems, with profound considerations behind them. One is to cultivate a mature fighter pilot, which has a long cycle and high cost. To rescue them is essentially to protect the country's important military assets. The second is the existence of this search and rescue system, which can dispel the concerns of pilots and give them confidence and willingness to carry out some high-risk tasks. Thirdly, search and rescue itself is also a process of obtaining enemy intelligence information, which is conducive to the development of subsequent combat operations. In the search and rescue system, handheld rescue radios are one of the key equipment. When the pilot launches a parachute, the handheld rescue radio contained in the rescue kit will also be launched. When the parachuting pilot lands, it can be used to report the danger, location, and contact rescue personnel. The United States was one of the earliest countries to develop and use such equipment. In the Vietnam War and Kosovo War, many parachuting pilots were rescued due to being equipped with handheld rescue radios. In the 21st century, with the development of global satellite positioning and navigation systems and the maturity of application terminals, American companies have developed the HOOK-3 handheld rescue radio with smaller size and more complete functions based on the HOOK-2 handheld rescue radio. The performance of this handheld rescue radio can to some extent reflect the level of development in this field. The HOOK-3 handheld rescue radio weighs approximately 680 grams (including battery) and integrates multiple functions, such as providing multiple communication and positioning services for distressed pilots in complex battlefield environments. The value of HOOK-3 handheld rescue radio lies in its ability to serve as a node embedded in the search and rescue system. It has multi-mode communication capability and can send distress signals in complex environments. The encrypted communication function can prevent the transmitted information from being intercepted by opponents. In addition to being compatible with other global satellite positioning and navigation systems, it can also provide positioning information by sending signals to global satellite search and rescue systems, helping distressed pilots obtain rescue. However, any equipment system has its vulnerabilities, and handheld rescue radios and the search and rescue networks behind them also have their weaknesses. The most prominent point is that under strong electromagnetic interference, the satellite communication signals it relies on may be blocked. In recent years, some military cases have shown that the search and rescue system is facing increasing challenges in strong confrontation scenarios. This means that handheld rescue radios can only become true electronic "lifebuoys" when pilots are in distress by keeping up with the pace of technological development and continuously improving their performance. (New Society)