Honeywell and Inmarsat are celebrating the successful over-the-air performance test of Honeywell’s JetWave MCS 8200 hardware on the Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) satellite network, conducted from Honeywell’s Tewkesbury, UK facility on 4 March 2015.
The success of this test brings us one step closer to enjoying next generation truly global high-speed in-flight connectivity, say the two companies.
The test proved that the GX Aviation network can support multiple file transfers and video streaming–giving passengers the same Wi-Fi experience at 40,000 feet as they enjoy on the ground.
“This is not only a milestone for the whole GX Aviation programme, but it’s also a great demonstration of what GX Aviation brings to the table,” said Leo Mondale, President, Inmarsat Aviation. “We are delighted with the performance shown by this round of testing. Both the GX network and Honeywell’s terminal have met and exceeded our high expectations. We’re another step closer to bringing a true broadband experience to both commercial airlines and business aviation.”
Carl Esposito, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management, Honeywell Aerospace said: “The successful testing of Honeywell’s JetWave terminal proves that we are truly making global high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi a reality. The combination of Honeywell’s airborne hardware and Inmarsat’s GX Ka-band global network will allow for a seamless experience of connectivity and capability from the time you walk on the airplane until you get off on the other side of the world.”
Honeywell’s JetWave MCS8200 terminal is in full certification testing, going through DO-160 environmental and electromagnetic interference certifications, and will start flight testing in the second quarter of 2015. The company is working to ensure that the equipment is ready for installation on new Boeing aircraft, Airbus A350s, and Bombardier’s Global family of business jets, the company indicates.
Inmarsat’s GX satellite network is already operational in the region of the Indian Ocean available to government, maritime and enterprise customers, with communications over the first Global Xpress satellite launched last year. A second satellite launch this February was successful and provides additional Ka-band coverage over the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean Region. A third satellite will launch in the second quarter of 2015 to cover the Pacific Ocean Region and giving the Global Xpress network worldwide coverage.