[SatNews] Cobham SATCOM’s AVIATOR 300 SwiftBroadband terminal has received a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its use aboard Boeing 757 aircraft.
The STC, developed by Cobham SATCOM partner Scandinavian Avionics, includes the installation and activation of the AVIATOR 300’s built-in Wi-Fi option, which offers access to an extensive range of communications capabilities. The AVIATOR 300 features a compact and lightweight Intermediate Gain Antenna (IGA) to ensure a low profile on the fuselage. With data speeds up to 332kbps, the system provides for fast and reliable connectivity on Inmarsat SwiftBroadband services, supporting high quality, low-cost voice calling and the full complement of data services.
Cobham SATCOM's AVIATOR 300 SwiftBroadband terminal.
The AVIATOR 300 is part of Cobham’s SwiftBroadband product portfolio and provides a cost effective solution for a wide range of airframes, with a full range of features and options. In addition to the Boeing 757, the system has been certified for several key aircraft including the Airbus 319, 320 and 321, Cessna 550, 550 Bravo and S550, Citation X, G200, Embraer 135 (Legacy 600/650) and Bombardier Challenger 300. The full Cobham SATCOM AVIATOR range includes the revolutionary AVIATOR S series, AVIATOR 700 and 700D, AVIATOR 350 with High Gain Antenna (HGA), AVIATOR 300 with IGA as well as the exceptionally compact and lightweight AVIATOR 200 with Low Gain Antenna (LGA).
Additionally, Cobham SATCOM has introduced the AVIATOR 200S airborne SATCOM featuring the compact HELGA (combined HLD and Enhanced LGA) antenna.
Cobham SATCOM's AVIATOR 200S compact, “two box” solution.
Designed as the first Inmarsat Class 4 terminal by Cobham, the system allows for simultaneous transmission of safety and non-safety services over the same SwiftBroadband channel. The new system will also deliver the improved space and weight savings demanded by air transport aircraft operators. One of the key components of the AVIATOR 200S is the HELGA antenna, which reduces the number of LRUs (Line Replacement Units) from three in a current single-channel SwiftBroadband system to two for the AVIATOR 200S. This is achieved by incorporating the RF power amplifier and diplexer and the enhanced low-gain antenna into one single compact unit.
The antenna footprint is defined by the latest ARINC 781 Attachment 7 specification and is compatible with the existing ARINC 741 LGA mounting footprint for ease of installation for retrofits. The exacting environmental considerations have all been taken into account in this revolutionary design concept. The antenna achieves excellent low angle performance due to its multi-element phased array architecture.
Kim Gram, vice president of Cobham SATCOM’s aeronautical business unit, said, “The HELGA antenna has allowed a two-box solution, which makes the AVIATOR 200S so important for operators, potentially for many years to come. Previously, the amplifier had to be installed somewhere on the aircraft, but as it generated heat, it has to have appropriate ventilation, which limited the installation options. The space and weight savings achieved by the AVIATOR 200S represents a step change for the industry as this new solution is suitable for all aircrafts. The AVIATOR S series of SATCOM products is about making satellite communications equipment smaller and more powerful as well as more cost effective.”
Another key feature of the AVIATOR S is that the new CSDU (Compact Satellite Data Unit) allows secure data communication. The product segregates the cockpit and cabin domains, for safety reasons, ensuring the cockpit to ATC (Air Traffic Control) network is secure. This allows the simultaneous transfer of operational and flight data to ground maintenance and control facilities, or real-time weather and other flight relevant information, updates to EFBs or flight management systems. Depending on the antenna choice, the system can also provide high-performance connectivity to the cabin for passengers voice calls, email and internet browsing.
The AVIATOR S series is the latest addition to Cobham SATCOM’s AVIATOR portfolio of airborne satellite communication systems, ranging from the AVIATOR 200 to the AVIATOR 700D. AVIATOR S has been developed as a full family of SATCOM systems, ranging from the AVIATOR 200 unit designed for smaller aircraft right up to the AVIATOR 700D for large air transport aircraft. The system will meet the requirement of FANS 1/A operation and satisfy expected requirements for NextGen CNS/ATM applications.
For further information, please visit http://www.cobham.com/satcom.