Honeywell has received the first certification for its JetWave hardware for Inmarsat’s new Global Xpress high-speed broadband network. Inmarsat achieved commercial service introduction for the new Ka-band Global Xpress network at the end of 2015 with an initial constellation of three Ka-band communication satellites. Plans call for a fourth to be launched in the second half of this year.
Honeywell is the exclusive hardware provider for both business aviation and air transport hardware for Global Xpress and has a master distribution agreement with Inmarsat for the business aviation services (known as Jet ConneX).
Honeywell’s first U.S. FAA certification involved equipment installed on a Boeing 757. Certification followed more than 180 flight hours aboard Honeywell’s Boeing 757 test aircraft. Honeywell said the certification validates the capability of the hardware to connect to the Global Xpress service, as well as paves the way for approvals of systems on other aircraft, including business jets.
“The ability to connect with others is not a luxury anymore; it’s an expectation of both passengers and pilots alike,” said Jack Jacobs, vice president of safety and connectivity at Honeywell Aerospace. “This first certification for Honeywell’s JetWave hardware is a leap forward in making the system available commercially.”