PETAH TIKVA, Israel and GERMANTOWN, Md., March
2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
(NASDAQ, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking
technology, solutions and services, and Hughes Network Systems, LLC
(HUGHES), an EchoStar company (NASDAQ: SATS) and the global leader
in broadband satellite technology networks and services, today
announced a new high-performance dual Ka / Ku-band aero antenna
agnostic to the underlying VSAT modem technology and service
platform. The companies have been working together for nearly two
years on the development of the antenna, which will be unveiled on
the first day of the Satellite 2017 show.
The new antenna from Gilat and Hughes supports both Ka- and
Ku-band on a single antenna platform while affording favorable
weight and drag characteristics versus the use of two separate
antennas. The dual band capability enables continuous
broadband connectivity for commercial aircraft traveling air routes
that require a combination of Ka and Ku coverage to serve the full
air route. The antenna further meets the volume requirements for
radome line-fit installations on both Airbus and Boeing aircraft,
while optimizing its aperture size under the available volume.
Gilat and Hughes are both offering the antenna to their
respective customers integrated with their own aeronautical VSATs.
The antenna was developed in accordance with Hughes' RF and
technical specifications and is compliant with open-standard
specifications. As such, it is fully interoperable with any
aero modem. As part of the Gilat -- Hughes partnership, Gilat is
responsible for the development and manufacturing of the antenna as
well as the KRFU (RF unit) and KANDU (networking data unit) and
related Part Manufacturing Authorization (PMA) licensing. Both
companies are pursuing multiple Supplemental Type Certification
(STC) partnerships with their customers.
"The Gilat/Hughes partnership has resulted in one of the most
innovative development projects in the global IFC space," said
Michael (Miki) Barak, VP Mobility
Division, at Gilat. "The antenna development is based on our long
standing expertise in mobile satellite antennas and our industry
leading aero transceivers and plays a key part in Gilat's IFC
strategy. We believe that the antenna will enable IFC service
providers to select the most efficient satellite solution for
global connectivity well into the future."
"The new dual band aero antenna is a valuable
and important addition to our global aeronautical system,"
said Paul Gaske, Executive Vice
President, North America at
Hughes. "With this new antenna, airlines will now be able to
enjoy uninterrupted connectivity for even the most challenging air
routes that span geographies that are not served by a single
satellite frequency band. This includes most trans-oceanic
routes as well as major continental regions of the world such as
Latin America, Asia and even Europe. The new dual band
antenna is a key component of our global aeronautical system and it
will enrich our IFC offering worldwide."
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems,
LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in broadband satellite technology
and services for home and office. Its flagship high-speed satellite
Internet service is HughesNet®, the world's largest satellite
network with over 1 million residential and business customers
across North America and
Brazil. For large enterprises and
governments, the company's HughesON® managed network services
provide complete connectivity solutions employing an optimized mix
of satellite and terrestrial technologies. The JUPITER™ System is
the world's most widely deployed High-Throughput Satellite (HTS)
platform by leading providers operating on more than 20 satellites,
as well as mobility and cellular backhaul applications. To date,
Hughes has shipped more than 5.5 million satellite systems to
customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50
percent market share.
Headquartered outside Washington,
D.C., in Germantown,
Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices
worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation
(NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations.
For additional information about Hughes, please visit
www.hughes.com and follow @Hughes_Corp on Twitter.
About Gilat
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ:
GILT, TASE: GILT) is a leading global provider of satellite-based
broadband communications. With 30 years of experience, we design
and manufacture cutting-edge ground segment equipment, and provide
comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services, powered by our
innovative technology. Delivering high value competitive solutions,
our portfolio comprises of a cloud based VSAT network platform,
high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high
efficiency, high power Solid State Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block
Upconverters (BUC).
Gilat's comprehensive solutions support multiple applications
with a full portfolio of products to address key applications
including broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise,
in-flight connectivity, maritime, trains, defense and public
safety, all while meeting the most stringent service level
requirements. Gilat controlling shareholders are the FIMI Private
Equity Funds. For more information, please visit:
http://www.gilat.com
Certain statements made herein that are not historical
are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "estimate",
"project", "intend", "expect", "believe" and similar
expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of Gilat to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements that may be expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements, including, among
others, changes in general economic and business
conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to
Gilat's products, inability to timely develop and introduce new
technologies, products and applications, rapid changes
in the market for Gilat's products, loss of
market share and pressure on prices resulting from
competition, introduction of competing products by
other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion, loss
of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain
qualified personnel, inability to protect the Company's
proprietary technology and risks associated with
Gilat's international operations and its location in Israel. We undertake no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for
any reason. For additional information
regarding these and other risks and
uncertainties associated with Gilat's business,
reference is made to Gilat's reports filed from time to
time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gilat-and-hughes-to-unveil-high-performance-dual-band-aero-antenna-for-in-flight-connectivity-ifc-at-satellite-2017-300417211.html
SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC