Lightweight Satcom System Provides Worldwide Communications From The Cockpit

Honeywell has received TSO-C159 certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) for its Aspire 400 Satellite Communications System. Honeywell's Aspire 400 offer's connectivity via Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) service. Aspire 400 is reportedly a clean slate design.

The Aspire 400 system provides a more secure data pipe to and from the aircraft, delivering safety services and high-speed voice and data communications for cockpits and cabins in a compact, lightweight and low-powered package. Using the Aspire 400 system, an aircraft can communicate more securely with Air Traffic Control and the Airlines Operation Center. The systems also offer broadband data rates that enable Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) and other applications.

"The achievement of the TSO certification for the Honeywell Aspire 400 system is a major milestone for the aviation industry as the system can significantly increase safety and efficiency of air travel," said Mark Goodman, director, product management, Honeywell Aerospace. "Aspire 400 provides pilots with improved voice communication with Air Traffic Control as compared with high-frequency radio. Additionally, Aspire 400 increases efficiency by enabling real-time data transfer between aircraft and the ground. This can help in situations where rerouting is necessary to avoid bad weather."

Aspire 400 enables all the functionality supported by previous satcom systems but in a much smaller, lighter package that uses less power. The Aspire 400 TSO certification facilitates installation and certification for Future Air Navigation System operation on multiple aircraft platforms, including line fit and aftermarket upgrades. Aspire 400 meets current industry standards related to communications safety and security requirements for aircraft products of this type, ensuring better protection of critical cockpit communications.

With a small antenna and overall footprint, the Aspire 400 has the potential to replace legacy high-frequency radio systems to improve operational performance.

The successful development and certification of the Aspire 400 system was a global team effort involving countries such as Canada, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, India and the United States. One of the newest and most significant features of the Aspire 400 that was not available in Honeywell's legacy satcom products is the introduction of Internet Protocol-based safety and operational communications using Inmarsat SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S).

FMI: www.honeywell.com