[SatNews] “We’re now positioned to serve the VVIP market by offering a complete solution, including both the airplane hardware and a worldwide connectivity service.”
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries, announced today that Astronics AeroSat, its wholly-owned subsidiary and manufacturer of satellite antenna systems, launched FliteStream™ VVIP, a satellite broadband service designed for the VVIP market.
FliteStream is the aviation industry’s first dedicated global connectivity solution for the VVIP fleet. It will leverage the services of Harris CapRock Communications, a premier global provider of managed communication solutions for remote and harsh environments. The one-stop FliteStream VVIP solution is designed for performance, growth and customer convenience, and features AeroSat’s highly efficient, patented Ku-band antenna technology and a Certification Assistance Program™ that includes a full installation design and STC data package. Worldwide, 24/7 AOG support with a single point of contact is also included.
FliteStream VVIP service plans include customer-selectable options for geographic regions and bandwidth requirements. These service plan options will ensure that each VVIP operator will receive the service level that meets the unique needs of his or her demanding business.
“Because the FliteStream VVIP solution is not shared with commercial airline passengers, the VVIP business executive’s connectivity experience will always be robust and predicable, not susceptible to choke points in areas of high density airline traffic,” according to Frank Blanda, Astronics AeroSat’s Chief Technology Officer.
“The strategic alliance with Harris CapRock, a well respected communications provider, enables Astronics AeroSat to take the lead in improving the quality of the VVIP passenger communications experience by offering this high level of global connectivity. We’re now positioned to serve the VVIP market by offering a complete solution, including both the airplane hardware and a worldwide connectivity service. We also offer the completion centers and MROs any level of support desired, from installation design through complete certification, or any level in between,” said Dennis Ferguson, President of Astronics AeroSat Corporation.
Harris CapRock has more than three decades of experience in delivering mission-critical communications for commercial and government markets. As the world’s largest provider of communications to extreme environments, Harris CapRock has the expertise and reach to deliver reliable, high-quality service worldwide, making them the ideal service provider for this elite aviation market.
“This agreement enables Astronics AeroSat to bring a powerful worldwide connectivity capability to the most elite business travelers in the world,” said Tom Eaton, President, Harris CapRock. “Harris CapRock’s existing global infrastructure and multi-band network already provide highly dependable managed communications to thousands of remote and harsh locations and we’re excited to extend those capabilities to support Astronics AeroSat in its services to operators of VVIP aircraft.”
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) provides advanced, high-performance lighting, electrical power and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries. Astronics’ strategy is to develop and maintain positions of technical leadership in its chosen aerospace and defense markets, to leverage those positions to grow the amount of content and volume of product it sells to those markets and to selectively acquire businesses with similar technical capabilities that could benefit from our leadership position and strategic direction.