Cobham (chalet A106) is reinforcing its stance in the airborne connectivity market with a new product in its Aviator antennae series. The Aviator S terminal and antenna product family has been driven by the latest specifications formulated by the Air Transport Air-to-Ground-Communications working group (ARINC 781), along with anticipated requirements for safety services and network domain separation for air traffic control.

The first system to be made available will be the Aviator 200S - a compact satellite communication system which will exploit the Inmarsat SwiftBroadband packet data communication system.

Aviator 200S will combine the provision of SwiftBroadband Aircraft Communications, Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS) data services for Air Traffic Control and Aircraft Operation with an internet protocol data pipe for the transfer of operational and flight data to ground maintenance and control facilities, or real-time weather and other flight relevant information updates to electronic flight bags or flight management systems.

The system will meet the requirements for FANS 1/A operations as well as the support of anticipated satellite service requirements for LINK2000 in Europe and Next Gen in the USA.

Said Walther Thygesen, vice-president of Cobham SATCOM: "Cobham is committed to the concept of the 'connected aircraft' and understands the increasing requirements for real-time data connectivity between an airline and its fleet of aircraft for the purpose of air traffic control, aircraft operation and maintenance and passenger services."

Source: Flight Daily News