Contract represents step forward in development of next generation IP-based AVIATOR S
LYNGBY, Denmark - Cobham SATCOM has
reached an agreement to equip Hawaiian Airlines' fleet of Boeing
767-300 aircraft with its AVIATOR SwiftBroadband satellite
communications systems. The agreement represents an important
milestone for Cobham in the development of its next generation
product family, AVIATOR S, as the system will be used for Safety
Services data as well as for the provision of an IP pipe to the
cockpit.
The new Cobham SATCOM contract will serve to demonstrate how the
AVIATOR products can provide high speed IP data services and voice
communication not only for the cockpit, but also other domains of
the aircraft.
Installation of the Cobham systems on the Hawaiian fleet is a
significant step forward in the process of approval for
SwiftBroadband as a safety service by the aviation authorities,
which is a requirement for the operation of the AVIATOR S series.
This technology demonstration, under FAA supervision, will pave the
way for other airlines and equipment manufacturers. It will
eventually allow the fast, efficient transfer of ACARS data
messages over the SwiftBroadband link, as well as flight deck
safety voice services and IP connectivity to the flight deck,
enabling other flight operations and cockpit services.
During the SwiftBroadband safety evaluation period, the AVIATOR
SwiftBroadband system will be used for FANS and CPDLC messaging and
will also be used for data transmission in support of Hawaiian's
new eFLIE, Electronic Flight Bag program (EFBs).
Kim Gram, vice president of Cobham SATCOM's aeronautical
business unit, said: "Through this contract we confirm our market
leadership position in the development of the next generation
IP-based safety services which is represented by Inmarsat
SwiftBroadband Safety Services and our AVIATOR S product
family.
"Using SwiftBroadband IP connectivity for all domains of the
aircraft is new to the aviation industry and will provide safer and
more efficient flights due to better overall situational awareness
and transfer of operational data to and from of the aircraft."
Ken Rewick, vice president of flight operations for Hawaiian
Airlines, said: "We appreciate working with Cobham to install EFB
connectivity, while at the same time contributing to approval of
Safety Services over SwiftBroadband.
"SwiftBroadband enables us to provide our pilots with real-time
weather updates on their Electronic Flight Bags, allowing us to
efficiently navigate around Pacific storms, inclement weather and
storms in real-time while providing the most comfortable flight
experience for our passengers."
Hawaiian's B767s will be retrofitted with Cobham's current
generation AVIATOR SwiftBroadband SATCOM hardware, which includes
an IGA-5001 intermediate gain antenna. The system is capable of
providing both voice and data communications with the addition of
many enhanced features such as immediate aircraft tracking
information and Ethernet ports for connecting devices like Aircraft
Interface Devices (AIDs) and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) for the
pilots to obtain real-time information including graphical weather
updates. The connectivity will facilitate dynamic routing to
favorable winds and away from unfavorable weather.
These enhanced features will become the centerpiece of Cobham's
AVIATOR S product family which is designed specifically to leverage
Inmarsat's new SwiftBroadband Safety service and will ensure a
system configuration that can meet the requirements of all aircraft
types. AVIATOR S will be available early 2016 to coincide with
approvals for FANS 1/A services over SwiftBroadband.
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.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for
each of the past 10 years (2004-2013) as reported by the U.S.
Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast
Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have
all ranked Hawaiian the highest of all domestic airlines serving
Hawai'i.
Now in its 85th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is
Hawai'i's biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the
largest provider of passenger air service from its primary visitor
markets on the U.S. Mainland. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to
Hawai'i from more U.S. gateway cities (11) than any other airline,
along with service from Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New
Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides
approximately 160 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands,
with a total of more than 200 daily flights system-wide.
Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow updates on Twitter
about Hawaiian (@HawaiianAir) and its special fare offers (@HawaiianFares), and become a fan on its Facebook page.
- ends -
Contacts: