Emma Kelly/LONDON
Iridium is in talks with avionics manufacturers following AlliedSignal's decision to drop its involvement in the new satellite system operator's aeronautical services for airlines.
AlliedSignal is the sole supplier of avionics for Iridium's aeronautical services for the airline and general aviation markets. The manufacturer's single-channel Iridium equipment - Airsat-1 - provides voice communications for use on corporate and general aviation aircraft and will be available next month.
But the avionics manufacturer is dropping development of the five-channel Airsat-5 and the eight-channel Airsat-8 systems, designed to provide Iridium voice and data services to the cockpit and passenger cabin of airliners to compete with the Inmarsat satellite communication services.
AlliedSignal says it dropped the multi-channel development because "crucial and proprietary satellite link technology needed to support the multi-channel systems features were not ready. There was no schedule being worked on for that development".
Simon Glenister, Iridium's director of aeronautical marketing, says: "We have recognised this situation for a while, so we are already in discussions with other vendors."
Iridium hopes to introduce multi-channel equipment for airlines in the middle of next year. o
Source: Flight International
