Infotech Lead America: Honeywell and Boeing have signed a technical services agreement to jointly research and develop technologies for the next generation of high-speed, in-flight wireless connectivity on Boeing platforms including the 787, 777, 737NG and 747-8.
Under this agreement, Honeywell and Boeing seek to address passengers’ increasing demands for faster, more reliable in-flight connectivity on iPads, smartphones, tablet devices and laptops while over land and crossing oceans.
Travelers will be able to use broadband just as they at home or in office, whether it is to use social media or to develop videoconferencing and multimedia presentations while in flight, virtually anywhere in the world.
Boeing and Honeywell will work together to research, test and develop the hardware, software and potential services that will utilize GX Ka-band satellites, powered by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress constellation, and begin the necessary activities to support GX Ka-band equipment installation aboard new aircraft in 2015.
Global Xpress will offer reasonable data rates and bandwidth, backed by Inmarsat’s quality standards, performance and global reach, to provide the same experience as terrestrial broadband. It is the only Ka-band network designed to provide consistent global coverage.
The Honeywell-developed hardware and system for GX Aviation will shortly introduce new services to aircraft operators, airlines and air traffic control such as predictive maintenance and better aircraft communications. These new features will take advantage of a fast, reliable and global connectivity service, to create a truly “connected aircraft.”
Carl Esposito, VP, Marketing and Product Management, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “The current in-flight connectivity landscape offers only a narrow field of overland flight paths in the U.S. and select international markets, is unreliable, and does not adequately address passengers’ burgeoning desire for a true global in-flight connectivity offering. Both Boeing and Honeywell understand this demand for global connectivity and are collaborating to ensure that airlines are equipped to provide passengers with the fastest and most reliable global in-flight connectivity experience possible through GX Aviation.”
