Thales is now an Iridium Certus aviation service provider. The company’s FlytLINK solution already provides avionics that use Iridium Certus, and Thales will now be able to offer Iridium Certus terminals and connectivity services for use on business, commercial, military and general aviation aircraft, as well as helicopters and UAVs.
Thales will begin delivering its FlytLINK terminal and antenna to customers in the first half of 2020. The solution is capable of 352Kbps transmission and 704Kbps receiving speeds. FlytLINK will provide global connectivity for cockpit and cabin communications using the L-band broadband platform. This includes a hybrid FlytLINK solution that combines Iridium Certus capabilities with Iridium’s traditional narrowband services, which will be available with its initial release. Its safety features include support for current and next-generation air traffic control systems, voice, ACARS and IP data up to 704kbps. It also supports electronic flight bag pairing, real-time weather, secure pilot and crew wi-fi access and calling.
“With their initial FlytLINK terminal for Iridium Certus, Thales has taken the proven reliability of Iridium’s existing safety services and paired it with the increased speed and power of the Iridium Certus service,” said Tim Last, vice president and general manager of aviation, Iridium. “This strategy enables full adoption of the new FlytLINK terminal, with safety services capabilities using Iridium Certus once those receive the necessary regulatory approvals. We’re excited to see this new terminal and service come to market from Thales, a company with a known expertise in global aviation.”
“We’re excited to provide 100% truly global connectivity to the people that depend on us,” said Craig Olson, vice president of connectivity solutions, Thales InFlyt Experience. “Being able to offer both a futureproof solution on board the aircraft as well as the airtime services for Iridium Certus provides Thales with a unique competitive advantage. Not only will Thales FlytLINK be first to market with a terminal capable of 704Kbps, but we will offer a one-stop comprehensive solution to all types of aircraft anywhere in the world.”
Image: Thales
