Cobham is set to develop its AVIATOR S series, a new family of satellite communication systems, designed for future data-connected air transport aircraft such as regional turboprops and large jetliners.
The announcement was made at the 50th International Paris Air Show, held this past week at Le Bourget Airport.
The new terminal and antenna product line will join the existing AVIATOR portfolio of airborne satellite communication systems, which range from the AVIATOR 200 to the 700D.
Cobham said development of new systems was being driven by specifications set-out by the Air Transport Air-to-Ground-Communications working group, in addition to the anticipated requirements for safety services and network domain separation for air traffic control.
The AVIATOR S series will provide secure data communication for aircraft operation, maintenance and management services, allowing the company to serve internet protocol (IP) data-connected aircraft in the future.
In addition, it will support a wide range of communication applications in the cockpit and cabin, including voice dialling, in-flight calling and internet browsing, the company said.
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By GlobalDataThe AVIATOR S series is being developed by Cobham strategic business unit SATCOM.
Cobham is working closely with British satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat to launch the new generation of airborne satellite communication to the market in the near future after final safety services approval of SwiftBroadband.
Cobham SATCOM vice president Walther Thygesen said: "Cobham’s AVIATOR S series will significantly benefit aircraft operations by offering an extremely compact LRU and antenna configuration for safety services over SwiftBroadband, designed to the latest specifications for data segregation on the flight deck."
The ‘two box’ solution will be smaller, lighter and more cost-effective compared with the current generation satellite communication systems and is suitable for all sizes of air transport aircraft from regional to large oceanic crafts.
The first system to be introduced will be the AVIATOR 200S, a compact two line replacement unit (LRU) satellite communication system, which will have the features of the Inmarsat SwiftBroadband packet data communication system.
Cobham SATCOM develops, manufactures, sells and supports satellite and radio communication terminals and earth stations for land, marine and airborne applications.
Cobham offers a range of technologies and services to solve challenging problems across commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean.
Image: The AVIATOR S series will provide secure data communication for aircraft operation, maintenance and management services. Photo: courtesy of Cobham plc.
