March 19 2015 – Inmarsat and Honeywell have reported successful tests of over-the-air performance for Honeywell’s JetWave MCS 8200 hardware on Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite network.
During the tests, conducted on March 4, the team was able to demonstrate how Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network can support multiple file transfers and video streaming, meaning that the company can now start higher data rate testing.
Honeywell’s JetWave MCS 8200 terminal, which enables aircraft to connect to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite network, is in full certification testing, proceeding through DO-160 environmental and electromagnetic interference certifications, in preparation for the start of flight testing in the second quarter of 2015. In addition, work is being done to ensure that the equipment is available for installation on new Boeing aircraft, Airbus A350s and Bombardier’s Global family of business jets.
GX is already operational in the Indian Ocean Region for government, maritime, and enterprise customers over the first Global Xpress satellite, which was launched last year. The successful launch of the second satellite in February 2015 means Inmarsat’s Ka-band network now covers the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean Region. The third satellite is scheduled for launch in the second quarter; it will cover the Pacific Ocean Region, completing the Global Xpress network and providing worldwide coverage.
