-- Compact antennas that can be installed on commercial airliners and business jets
-- This design will reduce the weight and drag of the aircraft, thereby lowering fuel and maintenance costs
Shanghai, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell Aerospace (NYSE:HON), Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L) and innovative satellite communications flat panel antenna manufacturer Kymeta are collaborating to design, develop, and test a new high-speed Ka-band airborne wireless antenna for global commercial and business aviation customers. The antenna's uniquely advanced capabilities will deliver faster internet speeds and higher-quality broadband services on board.
With a more compact and lightweight design, this antenna can be installed on a broader range of aircraft types, including smaller business jets. The lighter flat-panel antenna reduces the weight and drag of the aircraft, thereby lowering fuel and maintenance costs.
"Honeywell’s collaboration with Inmarsat on GX Aviation has enabled airlines and operators to offer cutting-edge, high-speed, globally available connectivity," said Jack Jacobs, vice president of Marketing and Product Management at Honeywell Aerospace. "Kymeta’s participation allows us to stay at the forefront of next-generation antenna technology, making the antennas more efficient and compact, and delivering even faster global connectivity to our customers."
The three companies will work together to bring a faster, lighter new antenna to the commercial and business aviation markets. Kymeta will supply its mTenna™ antenna to Honeywell, which will test and integrate it into the JetWave product line. Honeywell’s JetWave is the exclusive hardware for supporting Inmarsat’s GX Aviation service.
"When Inmarsat and Honeywell announced the launch of GX Aviation in 2012, it changed the landscape of in-flight connectivity by offering fast, reliable airborne internet," said Dr. Nathan Kundtz, president and CEO of Kymeta. "Today, with Kymeta’s mTenna technology, Honeywell’s terminal solutions, and Inmarsat’s global network service offerings, we’re further delivering on the promise of extending high-speed airborne connectivity across the global aviation market."
"There is no doubt that the aviation industry today needs stable, high-speed connectivity. Business jet users, airlines, and passengers all expect access to premium broadband services at any time," said Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat Aviation. "Inmarsat has a long history of providing trusted, reliable services to the cockpit, and we’re applying that expertise to GX Aviation, scheduled for launch later this year, to provide high-speed, stable, and reliable broadband services to the cabin as well."
Mondale added, "We’re creating the first truly high-performance connectivity antenna product at a reasonable price point. The partnership between Honeywell and Kymeta turns an exceptional technology into the ideal aviation solution. We’re excited to collaborate on integrating this innovative product into Inmarsat’s portfolio and bringing it to market."
Mondale stated that this collaboration reflects Inmarsat’s commitment to continuously improving technology to offer operators lower-cost, lighter, and more efficient next-generation hardware and services.
Staying connected with Honeywell
Global demand for high-speed airborne connectivity is growing, and Honeywell offers comprehensive air-to-ground and satellite-based solutions to meet the needs of passengers, pilots, and maintenance and operations centers around the world.
Honeywell is dedicated to integrating its electrical, mechanical, and connectivity solutions with robust system integration capabilities to build connected aircraft for general aviation, commercial flights, and business jets—delivering the most extensive and stable high-speed connectivity to passengers, pilots, and operators worldwide.
Related Resources
- Learn more about Honeywell Aerospace’s connectivity solutions
- Learn more about Honeywell Aerospace
- Follow @Honeywell_Aero on Weibo
- Subscribe to Honeywell Corporate RSS feed
- Follow @InmarsatGlobal
- Learn more about GX Aviation
About Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace’s products and services are found on nearly every commercial, defense, and space aircraft in the world. Honeywell turbochargers are also used by virtually every automobile and truck manufacturer globally. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative solutions and technologies—including aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, in-flight connectivity, logistics, and more—to improve fuel efficiency, increase on-time performance, enhance flight and runway safety, and deliver safer, more efficient, and more comfortable experiences for customers worldwide. For more information, visit http://aerospace.honeywell.com, follow @Honeywell_Aero on Weibo, or follow @Honeywell_Aero and @Honeywell_Turbo.
Honeywell International Inc. (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified multinational company that leads the world in technology and manufacturing, providing the following businesses globally: aerospace products and services; building, home, and industrial automation control; automation products; turbochargers and specialty materials. For more company information and news, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
Honeywell and the Honeywell logo are trademarks of Honeywell International Inc., registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries, either registered or pending. All other Honeywell product names, technology names, trademarks, service marks, and logos are registered or pending in the United States or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 Honeywell. All rights reserved.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat is a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has delivered reliable voice and high-speed data communication services, as well as a range of land, sea, and air services, to governments, enterprises, and other organizations. With nearly 1,600 employees across more than 60 locations worldwide, Inmarsat maintains a presence at major airports and commercial centers on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (International Stock Exchange). For more information, please visit the Inmarsat website at www.inmarsat.com.
AboutKymetaCompany
Kymeta is commercializing innovative, software-enabled, flat-panel satellite antennas based on metamaterials. Kymeta has been named one of CNBC’s Top 50 Most Disruptive Companies for two consecutive years. Kymeta was also selected as a 2014 FiRe Starter company by Future in Review.
Whether on ships, planes, or vehicles—wherever you are and wherever you’re moving—Kymeta antenna solutions keep you connected.
Kymeta is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, and operates globally.