PHOENIX, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE:
HON) was selected to provide the JetWave™ satellite communications
system for 70 C-17 aircraft as a part of the Fixed Installation
Satellite Antenna program for the U.S. Department of Defense
(DoD).
The beyond-line-of-sight communications system will support and
improve the en route communication capabilities for the U.S. Air
Force's fleet of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. JetWave's Ka-band
hardware and Inmarsat's Global Xpress satellite network combine to
deliver the most extensive global coverage for a reliable
command-and-control link, including over water, on nontraditional
flight paths and in remote areas.
"Honeywell is driving the era of the Connected Aircraft for
military operators, and broadband connectivity anywhere on the
globe is now a mission-critical requirement in the modern
battlespace," said Steven Williams,
vice president, Defense Americas, Honeywell Aerospace.
"The United States military has
been at the forefront of connectivity technologies. JetWave
supports real-time situational awareness for the aircrew, soldiers
on board, and ground-based command leadership, ultimately enabling
better decision-making and enhancing safety."
Honeywell's JetWave satellite communications system allows users
to connect to the Inmarsat Global Xpress network, which delivers
Ka-band satellite coverage around the globe. This provides
real-time weather, video conferencing, large file transfer,
encryption capabilities, in-flight briefings, intelligence
surveillance reconnaissance video and secure communications. It has
true broadband-class connectivity comparable with typical speeds in
the home or office. This allows aircraft in transit to be linked
with command elements and forces anywhere in the world. The result
is improved situational awareness and the ability to assess and
adjust to the battlefield environment, en route and in real
time.
"The system's reliable connection allows the aircraft to
transform into a mobile communication hub en route to the
battlefield, even in high-traffic areas," said Steve Hadden, senior director, Defense
Connectivity, Honeywell Aerospace. "JetWave has the bandwidth to
support multiple users communicating and sharing sensor data to
ensure mission-critical information can be transmitted at every
step of the mission."
The C-17 Globemaster III is critical for airlift capability,
delivering troops and cargo to bases in any environment. JetWave
provides the DoD's C-17 aircraft with global, seamless,
high-data-rate communications while travelling to overseas
locations. The system's interoperability and real-time updates
enable the DoD aircraft to remain in continuous communication with
ground elements as they deploy.
Honeywell reached a similar agreement in 2017 with the Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) to provide a fuselage-mount antenna on
a C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft. That agreement was
expanded in April 2019 as the RAAF
announced plans to include JetWave on five additional Hercules
aircraft. These planes are frequently used to deliver disaster
relief in Australia and the
Pacific region. JetWave successfully demonstrated on the first
C-130J its ability to use several secure military applications that
previous technology couldn't enable due to bandwidth restrictions,
including live video streaming and encrypted file transfer.
The initial order of 10 JetWave systems will be delivered to the
U.S. DoD by June 2019, and the
overall program runs through 2021. Booz
Allen Hamilton is the primary contractor on the project.
About Honeywell:
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually
every commercial, defense and space aircraft. The Aerospace
business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin
electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components
and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more
fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer
skies and airports. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com
or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology
company that delivers industry specific solutions that include
aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings
and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies
help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants,
supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world
smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and
information on Honeywell, please visit
www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
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SOURCE Honeywell