WASHINGTON — Aerospace manufacturer Boeing and satellite antenna maker ThinKom Solutions successfully demonstrated high-bandwidth satellite communications technology aimed at military aircraft, the companies announced Feb. 5.
The ground demonstration, conducted at ThinKom’s facilities in Hawthorne, California, tested the company’s “ThinAir” antenna integrated with Boeing’s satellite modems. The test evaluated key applications such as streaming video, high-speed file transfers, and the system’s ability to maintain connectivity despite link disruptions.
ThinKom’s antennas are already widely used in both commercial and military aviation. The company is now marketing its next-generation ThinAir GT line, designed for ultra-low-profile broadband connectivity. The upgraded antennas are engineered to work with satellites in geostationary and non-geostationary orbits, and to support hybrid networks that integrate commercial and government satellite infrastructure.
“The objective of this demonstration was to showcase high-performance satellite connectivity with minimal drag across a wider range of aircraft types and missions,” a ThinKom spokesperson said.
The demonstration utilized Viasat’s GX Ka-band satellite network, operating across both commercial and military frequencies.
“By combining our fully managed multi-orbit satellite capacity with ThinKom’s GT 2517 antenna, we can offer a secure and scalable military-grade solution,” said Jeof McAllister, vice president of Boeing Commercial Satellite Services.
The companies said there is growing demand for high-speed satellite communications in defense aviation as military operations increasingly rely on real-time data transmission.
