Electronically steered antennas will be a major part of the next generation of connectivity for the business aviation world. Both Satcom Direct and Gogo made progress on that front this week, offering updates to their terminal development and testing.
Hughes
Delta selects Hughes to complete Wi-Fi upgrades
Delta Air Lines will add diversity to its inflight internet supply and Hughes has a launch customer for its new Jupiter in-flight service offering. The two will pair up to bring Wi-Fi to more than 400 aircraft across Delta’s fleet.
Airbus, OneWeb team for biz jet connectivity boost
Airbus Corporate Jets plans to offer a new inflight internet option, delivered over OneWeb’s LEO constellation, for its line of business jet installations. Eventually. With as yet undisclosed hardware.
Gogo adds AirSprint as first Canadian 5G fleet customer
The Gogo 5G network is set to take flight north of the border. The company announced that AirSprint Private Aviation will fit its business jet fleet with the updated systems, including options to add satellite connectivity on some aircraft.
CesiumAstro ESA successfully connects in SES, Hughes tests
CesiumAstro successfully tested its active phased array antenna terminal solution with SES’s geosynchronous satellite network, a key milestone as the company works to deliver hardware to the government and commercial aviation sectors.
Hanwha Phasor, OneWeb formalize ESA terminal development efforts
Another antenna option will soon join the fold for OneWeb’s aero customers. Hanwha Phasor announced it has signed a User Terminal Development Agreement, enabling the two companies to collaborate on an in-flight connectivity solution. A certified solution is anticipated in 2025.
Another regional connectivity deal is done
No one is willing to spill the beans completely, but it appears ThinKom has secured an airline launch customer for its Ka1717 regional jet inflight internet solution.
Hughes signs on as OneWeb partner, launches new IFC options for airlines
Hughes Network Systems is not new to the inflight internet world. But the company is getting more aggressive in its pitch to airlines. Hughes is now a global distribution partner of OneWeb’s LEO constellation services. The deal was announced this week at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023.
EchoStar, SkyFive team for S-band dual-link drone control
How do you deliver multiple, diverse command and control links to a small, uncrewed aircraft, fully integrated in controlled airspace? SkyFive and EchoStar have successfully concluded a series of flight tests, in partnership with Airbus, to combine S-band satellite and terrestrial links and deliver that functionality.
Gogo Galileo branding launched for LEO services
Gogo’s upcoming LEO satellite service has a new name. Now branded Galileo, the company also expanded the antenna options, enabling even higher speeds on larger business jets.