Thales has chosen NBAA 2016 to unveil global connectivity platform FlytLink, built around the Iridium Next satellite network that is expected to come online next year. FlytLink availability will follow shortly thereafter.
According to Thales Link managing director Adam Marks, “Thales has a long-standing relationship with Iridium, and our sister company builds those satellites. FlytLink will be one of the major verticals in the program, part of a larger company strategy that also includes land/mobile and maritime elements.”
FlytLink is structured as a dedicated satellite-based communications system aimed at cockpit crews. “With FlytLink, customers can now receive an optimized solution that connects the front of their aircraft without relying on ad hoc network solutions,” according to Thales. Prospective customers include operators of military aircraft, commercial transports, unmanned systems, rotorcraft and business jets.
Pending the deployment of Iridium’s Certus broadband service via the 66-satellite Iridium Next constellation, the first iteration of Thales’s enhanced broadband service for aviation use will be called FlytLink Certus. “It will be truly global coverage,” said Marks, “with 100-percent coverage of the planet, including poles and oceans.” FlytLink Certus will offer mobile and essential voice, text and Internet connectivity. Safety features include optional flight data streaming, push-to-talk voice, ACARS SBD and other embedded safety services.
On the operational side, the system will enable enhanced in-air reporting, service logging, flight crew scheduling coordination, aircraft dispatch monitoring and other offerings. The Certus system architecture is compatible with electronic flight bags, real-time weather services, active aircraft tracking, secure crew access to Wi-Fi and enhanced calling.
“We’re also looking to improve on cost and weight in the equipment/service bundle,” said Marks, adding that he lists price competitiveness among the benefits Thales brings to customers that set it apart from its competition. “We intend to become a dedicated communications management leader,” he said, “It’s part of the long-term business strategy for Thales.”
Marks also stressed that customers can install the Thales system today and operate using the existing Iridium network, enabling data-transfer capabilities at the current system speeds. The system will then seamlessly transfer to the much faster Certus network once it comes online.
The Thales electronics hardware package includes antennas that will accommodate the fastest upload and download speeds available through the Iridium Certus network. The FlytLink system is also “future proofed” for easy software upgrades to match new services as they become available. Thales plans to make FlytLink available for customers with other service providers in the “near future.”
