Multi-orbit ESAs got a boost this week, with Gilat announcing a $60 million order for its Stellar Blu Sidewinder terminal. Gilat does not name the customer, noting instead it is a “leading satellite operator.”
The deal calls for delivery in the next 12 months to support “support new airline fleet awards in retrofit and the first production run of Sidewinders for the eventual OEM linefit terminal for Boeing.”
SES seems the most likely customer. It is the main Ku-band IFC player that is also a satellite operator and has experience with Sidewinder, thanks to its acquisition of Intelsat. The company has also talked extensively in recent months about efforts to secure line-fit offerability at Boeing for the terminal. That work builds on a Technical Services Agreement Stellar Blu signed with Boeing in 2023.
The timing in this announcement also aligns with indications Boeing offered at AIX 2025 about its plans for supporting the ESA offerings on factory deliveries and retrofits via a Service Bulletin rather than STCs.
Intelsat previously shared it held a signed agreement with a customer for installation of the Sidewinder terminal on 787s for retrofit. It also disclosed orders from JAL and SkyMark for MAX aircraft to carry the kit, including line-fit installations.
Now it appears to have the hardware contracted to deliver on those deals.
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I just don’t see Intelsat being a preferred IFC provider. There is lots of Starlink momentum, meanwhile Intelsat/ SES is dealing with issues from legacy Stellar Blu’s Sidewinder.