Honeywell’s Antenna Advantage: A Legacy of Connectivity Leadership

In the aviation industry, where reliability is priority number one, Honeywell has built its reputation on engineering excellence. Yet one of our most important advances – antenna technology – is also one of the least talked about.

All that’s changing as open architecture connectivity becomes critical for both commercial and defense aviation. Today, antennas are no longer a background component, they’re the backbone of performance.

And Honeywell is leading the way.

A Legacy in Antenna Innovation

Our leadership in antenna technology goes back decades, but it took a major leap forward in 2011 with the acquisition of EMS Technologies.

That milestone gave Honeywell full control over the design and development of the high-efficiency antennas that enable the modern connected aircraft experience. Since then, our vertical integration has continued to set us apart.

“We do everything from building the hardware, including antennas, to delivering airtime and support,” said Jason Wissink, President of Honeywell Services and Connectivity. “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone doing all that better than Honeywell.”

Enabling the Future of Connectivity

Today’s next-generation satellite communications (satcom) systems require antennas that are equally advanced, with an open architecture design that’s compatible with numerous network providers. Honeywell’s new JetWave X system embodies this vision. It’s the first commercial satcom platform capable of seamlessly connecting across multiple satellite networks – Inmarsat Global Xpress, Viasat and virtually any Ka-band satellite.

“The antenna is definitely a piece of the system where you can add value if you design it well,” Wissink said. “A more efficient antenna requires less power from the satellite, which increases the satellite’s overall capacity and leads to a better experience for everyone. That level of efficiency has been a Honeywell strength since the EMS acquisition.”

A Product Portfolio Built on Performance

Honeywell’s current portfolio is the result of more than a decade of continuous innovation in antenna design:

• Aspire: A suite of connectivity solutions for business jets, helicopters and commercial aircraft. Aspire includes a rugged, low-profile Iridium antenna that delivers global coverage from 1610 MHz to 1626.5 MHz – supporting everything from commercial aviation to high-speed military missions.

• JetWave X: Built for tomorrow’s most demanding connectivity needs, JetWave X delivers true multi-network capability. It enables seamless transitions across different satellite networks and is ready for Viasat-3 and future satellite constellations.

What’s Next: Electronically Scanned Antennas and Beyond

Honeywell’s antenna roadmap includes pairing JetWave X with electronically scanned antennas (ESAs) to unlock even more dynamic performance. This will include connecting with low-Earth orbit (LEO) networks for a more robust connectivity solution that emphasizes resiliency –  essential for defense applications in congested environments.

Our recent acquisition of Cobham Aerospace (CAES), now Honeywell’s Electromagnetic Defense Solutions (EDS) division, has also strengthened this capability.

“With the addition of EDS, our expertise in RF capability, antenna design and power management has gotten even stronger,” Wissink said. “We have a long legacy there, and we think there’s so much more we can do. It’s an area we want to continue to be best-in-class.”