Aloft AeroArchitects is developing a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of a Eutelsat OneWeb satcom system in the Boeing 737 series. This STC will enable owners of Boeing Business Jets to install the OneWeb system in their airplanes, and Aloft's first installation will be in a BBJ.
The OneWeb satcom includes an electronically steered antenna developed by Stellar Blu Technologies and delivered by Satcom Direct, which is Eutelsat OneWeb’s distribution partner. Total system weight is 98 kilograms (216 pounds), and the antenna measures 213 centimeters (84 inches) by 105 centimeters, with a height of 9.25 centimeters.
With system speeds of up to 195 Mbps download and 32 Mbps upload, the OneWeb low-earth-orbit constellation—with more than 630 satellites—is available worldwide. Orbiting at an altitude of 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), the OneWeb satellites provide lower latency than geostationary satellites at nearly 36,000 kilometers.
“Our BBJ customers expect their aircraft to be as comfortable and capable as their homes and offices,” said Colby Hall, Aloft director of integrated technology. “This expectation now includes high-speed connectivity and being able to remain connected through their personal devices—all the time. Thanks to the connected ecosystem that Eutelsat OneWeb and their partners are deploying in the business aviation market, our VIP customers will be connected, entertained, and productive like never before—able to work, stream, and trade as they choose.”