Dassault has unveiled at the show a new single-source, inflight connectivity management service called FalconConnect which is designed, it says, to make connectivity “as efficient and straightforward as possible” for operators, crews and passengers.
Olivier Villa, senior executive vice-president for the French airframer, says the business aviation industry has witnessed an unprecedented development in high-speed connectivity services which has dramatically increased cost and system complexity. “Integrating onboard communications into a single offering and providing a single source for hardware, services and technical support is a way of resolving this challenge and reinventing the connectivity experience,” he says.
Developed in partnership with Honeywell/GoDirect and available from the second half of 2018, FalconConnect offers a selection of all-in-one, competitively priced packages designed to fit the requirements of each operator. Offerings include classic and high-speed cabin internet (voip, e-mail, streaming, video conferencing), cockpit safety links (FANS, ACARS, ATC), standard ground communications and a wide range of value-added services designed to maximise data control and minimise costs.
The new service matches current Falcon fleet configuration requirements, including multiple networks, ground communications – 3G/4G and Ka, Ku and L-band satellite systems. It provides automatic handover between networks to ensure full high-speed data coverage at all times.
Dassault also announced at the show the sale of a fifth Falcon 2000 maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) to the Japanese Coast Guard. The aircraft, which is based on the 4,000nm (7,400km)-range, large-cabin 2000LXS business jet, follows recent orders with the service totalling four 2000 MSAs. The first example is scheduled for delivery in 2019, Dassault says.
Source: Flight Daily News
