Connectivity provider Iridium Communications is rolling out its low-earth-orbit satellite Certus service for wide-scale applications, offering secure voice and data capabilities in commercial, business aviation, helicopters, private aircraft, and uncrewed vehicles.
Iridium Certus uses L-band frequencies to provide secure services in the flight deck and can complement Ka/Ku-band services used for passengers on airliners. It also can be a primary service for small and midsize business jets, as well as an option for electronic flight bags, flight-critical data, and passenger communications during oceanic flights.
Iridium is working with value-added partners, which are offering a variety of tiered Certus products and services. These include the Certus 100, which is optimized for smaller low-gain antennas, and the 700, optimized for speed and solid-state antenna options. Certification work is underway, with flight testing anticipated later this year and approvals following in 2024.
“The aviation industry is forecasting a period of unprecedented growth, where reliable connectivity has become crucial for both passenger and cockpit communications,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “Iridium Certus perfectly fits these applications due to the combination of its size, weight, and power, as well as the outstanding reliability of our global network. With our upgraded constellation, we have significantly improved and expanded our offerings, delivering air traffic control services, weather, and critical information to cockpits worldwide more affordably than ever before.”