Honeywell has been awarded an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) to install its Aspire 200 satellite communications system on the Airbus Helicopters AS350 and the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. An STC for the Bell 429 is pending, as the installation has already received approval on that helicopter from Transport Canada. EASA approval for the three types is also anticipated, as the agency recently approved the system for the Leonardo AW139.
According to the manufacturer, the Aspire system provides reliable connectivity services for rotorcraft, enabling constant communication, even when operating in remote areas. When combined with the SwiftBroadBand high data rate package, it will bring high-bandwidth connectivity to helicopters for the first time.
“There has always been a need for in-flight connectivity on helicopters, particularly to support VIP, air ambulance, police and military ISR applications,” said Mark Goodman, product director, Honeywell Aerospace. “The small, lightweight Aspire 200 provides a robust, reliable link that works through helicopter rotors.”