The leading business jet manufacturers were in the forefront of first-generation satcoms developments and are now repeating history with Swift64.
"Gulfstream does have active plans for high-speed data," says electronic systems engineering director Brian McCarthy. "We are currently in the process of installing Honeywell/Thales HS-600 on a flight-test GV-SP." Completion centre Duncan Aviation of Teterboro, New Jersey, fitted a Gulfstream IV operated by Computer Associates with EMS Technologies' HSD-64 earlier in the year.
Much of the impetus behind Gulfstream's satcoms programme comes from the extensive use of its aircraft in special-mission roles, highlighted here at the show. The Gulfstream IV (designated C-20) and V (C-37A) currently serve as executive transports with the US military and the Presidential fleet; examples have been fitted with EMS Technologies HSD-128.
High-speed
The other two leading business-jet manufacturers also see Swift64 capability going aboard their aircraft. EMS Technologies announced the first installation of its HSD-128 aboard a corporate aircraft – a Bombardier CL-604 Challenger – at the end of April. The system is also on a Global Express.
Dassault Falcon Jet successfully flight-tested HSD-128 on its Falcon 900EX demonstrator on 30 April, and a Falcon 50 has also been equipped.
Boeing is in on the act too. The first HSD-128 installation aboard a US military aircraft was completed last November, and since then the system has been added to a range of types: the
C-135, C-32A (757) and C-40B (BBJ). A pallet-mounted HSD-128 designated Viper is being used to confer ad hoc high-speed data capability on types such as the C-17 Globemaster II.
Other installations include an HSD-128 combined with a CMC Electronics high-gain antenna on a Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 for Swift64 demonstrations by Australian distributor TC Communications.
Source: Flight Daily News
