Honeywell’s JetWave MCS-8200 fuselage-mounted antenna for Inmarsat GX
Honeywell Aerospace’s JetWave wireless in-flight connectivity system has received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval for the Boeing 757.
Inmarsat
JetWave is the exclusive hardware for aircraft to connect to Inmarsat’s Ka-band Global Xpress (GX) high-speed satellite network.
The certification validates the reliability and capability of Honeywell’s hardware to connect to GX to provide passengers with the same high-speed Wi-Fi experience they get at home or in the office while traveling at 35,000 feet.
JetWave and GX Aviation will enable passengers to have seamless access to onboard Wi-Fi to browse the internet, check emails, stay connected on social media, watch videos and more, even on transcontinental flights.
It also simplifies the path for U.S. government approval for the use of JetWave hardware on other aircraft.
Jack Jacobs, Vice President of Safety and Connectivity at Honeywell Aerospace, said: “The ability to connect with others is not a luxury anymore; it’s an expectation of both passengers and pilots alike.
Honeywell JetWave
“This first commercial certification for Honeywell’s JetWave hardware is a leap forward in making the system available commercially and accelerating access to reliable and fast connectivity for airlines and passengers traveling across the world.”
Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat Aviation, added: “Airlines have previously struggled to meet the expectations of modern-day passengers for reliable, efficient, high-speed connectivity on board flights due to the lack of available technology.
“However, the entry into service of GX Aviation this year will mark an important turning point, allowing passengers in the air to browse the Internet, download files and watch videos online, just as they would on the ground.
Honeywell’s fuselage-mounted Ka-band MCS-8200 antenna for Inmarsat’s GX Aviation service.
“The certification of Honeywell’s JetWave hardware is a key milestone in the program and we congratulate our partner on this achievement.”
The certification of Honeywell’s JetWave hardware was achieved following more than 180 flight hours and multiple rigorous tests aboard Honeywell’s Boeing 757 test aircraft, which showed that the system would stay connected to Inmarsat’s GX network at various altitudes, angles and speeds, through several different types of weather, and over land and water.
In other news, Inmarsat has confirmed that it has opened a new office in Singapore to support its growing Asia Pacific customer base.
Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, said: “Demand for Inmarsat’s mobile broadband services is increasing across the region and this facility reflects our confidence in the growth potential of Asia Pacific.
“Through this new facility, we are confirming our on-going commitment to Singapore as the base for our regional operations.”
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