LYNGBY, Denmark - For the first time at Farnborough Airshow, Cobham SATCOM is introducing the AVIATOR 200S airborne SATCOM featuring the exceptionally compact HELGA (combined HLD and Enhanced LGA) antenna. Designed as the first Inmarsat Class 4 terminal by Cobham, the system allows for simultaneous transmission of safety and non-safety services over the same SwiftBroadband channel. The revolutionary new system will also deliver improved space and weight savings demanded by air transport aircraft operators.

One of the key components of the AVIATOR 200S is the HELGA antenna which reduces the number of LRUs (Line Replacement Units) from three in a current single-channel SwiftBroadband system to two for the AVIATOR 200S. This is achieved by incorporating the RF power amplifier and diplexer and the enhanced low-gain antenna into one single compact unit.

The antenna footprint is defined by the latest ARINC 781 Attachment 7 specification and is compatible with the existing ARINC 741 LGA mounting footprint for ease of installation for retrofits. The exacting environmental considerations have all been taken into account in this revolutionary design concept. The antenna achieves excellent low angle performance due to its unique multi-element phased array architecture.

Kim Gram, vice president of Cobham SATCOM's aeronautical business unit, said: "The revolutionary HELGA antenna has allowed a two-box solution which makes the AVIATOR 200S so important for operators, potentially for many years to come.

"Previously the amplifier had to be installed somewhere on the aircraft, but as it generated heat, it has to have appropriate ventilation which limited the installation options. The space and weight savings achieved by the AVIATOR 200S represents a step change for the industry as this new solution is suitable for all aircrafts. The AVIATOR S series of SATCOM products is not only about making satellite communications equipment smaller and more powerful, but also more cost effective."

Another key feature of the AVIATOR S is that the new CSDU (Compact Satellite Data Unit) allows secure data communication. The product segregates the cockpit and cabin domains, for safety reasons, ensuring the cockpit to ATC (Air Traffic Control) network is secure. This allows the simultaneous transfer of operational and flight data to ground maintenance and control facilities, or real-time weather and other flight relevant information, updates to EFBs or flight management systems. Depending on the antenna choice, the system can also provide high-performance connectivity to the cabin for passengers voice calls, email and internet browsing.

"The AVIATOR S series is a family of systems based around a revolutionary new Compact Satellite Data Unit, which is designed around a proprietary in-house core radio module and all the data security protection needed for secure and reliable cockpit communications," added Gram.

"The AVIATOR S represents a real breakthrough in communications because of the increase in versatility from being able to use professional levels of internet protocol connectivity with a high level of data integrity."

The AVIATOR S series is the latest addition to Cobham SATCOM's highly-regarded AVIATOR portfolio of airborne satellite communication systems, ranging from the AVIATOR 200 to the AVIATOR 700D.

AVIATOR S has been developed as a full family of satcom systems, ranging from the AVIATOR 200 unit designed for smaller aircraft right up to the AVIATOR 700D for large air transport aircraft. The system will meet the requirement of FANS 1/A operation and satisfy expected requirements for NextGen CNS/ATM applications.

For further information about Cobham SATCOM's AVIATOR portfolio, please visit Chalet 16-18 during this year's Farnborough International Airshowor visit www.cobham.com/satcom.

About Cobham

Cobham protects lives and livelihoods with its differentiated technology and know-how, operating with a deep insight to customer needs and agility. The Group offers an innovative range of technologies and services to solve challenging problems across commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean. It has market leading positions in air-to-air refuelling; aviation services; audio, video and data communications, including satellite communications; defence electronics; life support and mission equipment. The most important thing Cobham builds is trust.

About Cobham SATCOM

Cobham SATCOM develops, manufactures, sells and supports satellite and radio communication terminals and earth stations for land, marine and airborne applications. With the ever increasing demand for communication, our products and services are used to satisfy the needs of a wide variety of commercial, governmental and recreational applications.

Cobham SATCOM uses state-of-the-art technologies to design affordable, highly reliable high performance systems that have decreased over time in terms of size, weight and power consumption. Our products enable people to stay in touch under the most challenging and demanding conditions. When traditional communication technologies fail, Cobham SATCOM's products will keep providing our customers with high quality voice, data, and multimedia communications.

Our product designs have evolved tremendously during their decades in service in use around the world in a variety of domains and environments. We market under the AVIATOR, EXPLORER, SAILOR® and Sea Tel brands. Please refer to our websites for our list of global distributors and partners. Cobham SATCOM has design, development and manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Norway, South Africa and the USA.

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