The Future of Multi-Network SATCOM with JetWave X

Paul Page, Director of Business Development at Honeywell Aerospace, has over 20 years of experience driving growth in the aerospace, defense and high-tech industries. With deep expertise across engineering, commercial strategy and operations, Paul has led high-impact customer engagement and business development programs across EMEAI and APAC. 

What sets JetWave X apart from other SATCOM terminals in the military and government space?

JetWave X was designed from the ground up to meet modern defense connectivity needs – not just to offer more bandwidth, but to deliver resilient, high-throughput connectivity that works wherever and whenever the mission demands. What truly differentiates JetWave X is its multi-network flexibility and global Ka-band performance. It’s designed to seamlessly connect to both commercial and military networks – including ViaSat, SES and regional sovereign systems – with automatic handover across orbits. It’s smaller, lighter and more power-efficient than legacy SATCOM terminals, yet delivers enterprise-class connectivity to tactical and strategic users alike. 

Can you break down the key features that make JetWave X mission-relevant for modern defense operations?

JetWave X is built around four key pillars: resilience, interoperability, compact design and ease of integration. It provides multi-orbit connectivity, meaning operators can move between GEO, MEO and HEO constellations without losing a data link. It’s interoperable with multiple Ka-band networks, supports high-speed IP data for C2, ISR and situational awareness applications.

How does JetWave X support C2 (command and control) in contested environments?

Reliable command and control links are the backbone of any modern mission. JetWave X leverages adaptive beam steering, anti-jam protection and encryption-ready interfaces to maintain connectivity even in degraded or contested spectrum environments. The system automatically prioritizes secure traffic and can switch between commercial and military satellites to maintain continuity. We’ve proven in live exercises that Honeywell’s JetWave SATCOM product line can sustain C2 links even when parts of the spectrum are denied.

Can you walk us through real-world military scenarios where JetWave X has been or could be a game-changer?

Absolutely. While JetWave X is still entering its operational lifecycle, we already have a compelling real-world anchor: the U.S. Army has selected JetWave X to upgrade its Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARES) demonstrator aircraft. In that context, JetWave X will enable much higher data-rate transmissions and resilient connectivity via its multi-network architecture – a capability that’s critical in contested environments where every second of situational awareness matters.

To bring that into mission scenarios:

• ISR / Reconnaissance Missions: Imagine a surveillance aircraft operating beyond line of sight, streaming full-motion video, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, signals intelligence and other sensor data back to command stations in real time. JetWave X’s ability to jump seamlessly across commercial and military Ka-band networks ensures that the data pipe remains open even if part of the spectrum is contested or denied.
• Electronic Warfare / EW Support: In joint operations, airborne EW assets often need to see and respond faster than adversaries can react. With JetWave X, these platforms can share threat maps, signal intelligence and maneuver data with strike, ISR and command platforms – enabling coordinated responses in near real time even in degraded communications environments.
• Command and Control of Air Assets in Theater: Whether orchestrating air refueling, close air support or airlift, having a robust, low-latency link is essential. JetWave X enables persistent C2 links from high-value airborne platforms down to ground or maritime nodes – even deep in the battlespace – maintaining continuity as aircraft move or switch networks.
• Sensor-to-Shooter / Kill Chain Compression: One of the real game-changer use cases is collapsing the sensor-to-shooter timeline. A reconnaissance aircraft could detect a threat, immediately share data with attack platforms or ground maneuver units, and dynamically re-task assets – all over the same secure, resilient SATCOM pipeline.

 What’s important is that JetWave X isn’t just a better radio in the sky – it’s the connective backbone that ties air assets into the larger joint fight in contested, multi-domain operations. With its network-agnostic architecture, it builds directly on Honeywell’s legacy SATCOM performance while positioning the air domain for the next wave of digital warfare operations.

What’s the feedback from military pilots or operators using the system in-theater?

JetWave X is still a new system and has not yet been deployed operationally in the field, but the feedback on our existing, in-service Honeywell SATCOM solutions has been consistently outstanding. Operators value the reliability, link stability and ease of use that our systems provide – they simply work when they’re needed most. JetWave X builds directly on that proven legacy, incorporating all the lessons learned from thousands of flight hours and operator experiences across multiple mission types. The expectation from our customers is clear: if it carries the Honeywell name, it must perform flawlessly – and JetWave X is designed to exceed that standard from day one.

JetWave X supports multiple networks. How important is this flexibility for governments with evolving SATCOM strategies?

Hugely important. Governments increasingly recognize that no single satellite network will meet all operational needs. Multi-network flexibility gives them resilience, sovereignty and cost control. JetWave X allows operators to dynamically select or blend services across military and commercial Ka-band networks. That means a sovereign force can maintain autonomy while still tapping into global coverage from commercial partners when needed.

How does JetWave X integrate with WGS, commercial Ka-band networks and future hybrid architectures like DoD COMSATCOM?

JetWave X is built on open standards and can be configured to be fully interoperable with Inmarsat GX, SES O3b mPOWER, ViaSat Constellations and emerging regional systems like Space42 or TIBA-1. It’s ready for hybrid architectures such as the U.S. DoD’s COMSATCOM Integration (CSI) model, where commercial and military bandwidth merge into a single, managed resource. We see that hybrid model becoming the global norm, and JetWave X is already aligned with that future.

Can you tell us more about Honeywell’s role in enabling interoperability across allied forces?

Honeywell has always been an enabler of interoperability and coalition readiness. We work closely with OEMs, system integrators and ministries of defense to ensure our hardware can connect seamlessly across allied networks. Our systems are deployed on U.S., NATO and partner-nation platforms, which means interoperability isn’t theoretical – it’s happening every day. JetWave X’s software-defined architecture also means that if an allied partner upgrades its SATCOM gateway, our systems can evolve in sync.

How does Honeywell ensure JetWave X is cyber-hardened for contested or denied environments?

At Honeywell, cybersecurity is treated as an integral part of the system architecture rather than an afterthought. JetWave X leverages multiple layers of protection – both at the hardware and network levels – to ensure mission data remains secure, even in contested or denied environments. When operating on the Viasat GX network, all data transmissions are protected with AES-256 encryption, ensuring a robust level of confidentiality and integrity across the data flow. Additionally, JetWave X supports true end-to-end encryption, meaning customers can integrate their own Type 1 or sovereign encryption devices inline before data even enters the terminal. This gives operators complete control over data protection policies in line with their national defense standards. Honeywell’s broader cybersecurity approach also includes rigorous testing and hardening against cyber-intrusion, secure boot features and continuous software assurance processes – all aligned with both U.S. DoD and NATO cyber accreditation frameworks.

Are there features built-in for jamming resistance or spectrum agility?

JetWave X has been engineered with an open architecture specifically to support mission-tailored resilience enhancements – including anti-jam and spectrum-agile capabilities when paired with the right external modem. While the baseline terminal provides highly reliable, high-throughput Ka-band connectivity, its design allows seamless integration with advanced, government-furnished modems such as L3Harris’s HAAM-R, which implements the protected tactical waveform (PTW). This modular approach ensures that JetWave X can deliver robust anti-jam performance when required. In fact, Honeywell has already proven this concept. In 2023, we successfully demonstrated anti-jam performance on a commercial network using our larger JetWave MCX terminal. With JetWave X, we’re taking that a step further – leveraging the same flexible architecture, higher data throughput and improved RF performance to enable the next generation of resilient airborne SATCOM. We’re currently in active discussions with L3Harris to integrate JetWave X on ARES and replicate the HAAM-R anti-jam capability – which will showcase the full capability of the JetWave X terminal operating in a contested spectrum environment.

 In short, JetWave X provides the hardware and software foundation for advanced anti-jam and spectrum-agile operations, allowing operators to adapt the system to evolving mission needs and future waveforms across multi-orbit networks.

How has the threat landscape changed the way JetWave X is being developed or deployed?

We’re seeing a clear shift from static, single-network SATCOM to multi-domain, multi-orbit resilience. The reality is that communication links will be targeted in any peer-level conflict. Our response has been to embed autonomy through our advanced data control capability, AI-based link management and reconfiguration in the terminal itself. This reduces reliance on external network management and keeps the operator connected – even under attack.

What types of aircraft, UAVs, or ground vehicles are best suited for JetWave X today?

JetWave X is ideal for ISR aircraft, small transports, and MALE and HALE UAVs. It can also be integrated into hatch mounts for C-130s and C-17s – essentially any platform with smaller SWaP characteristics that needs reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity for mission systems or crew applications.

What are some of the challenges and innovations around installing JetWave X on legacy military platforms?

Legacy fleets present integration challenges – from structural constraints to power budgets. We’ve addressed that with a compact, lighter system, modular LRUs and multiple STC data packages. That minimizes downtime and cost. We also designed JetWave X to use existing aircraft wiring and power systems wherever possible, making it a realistic upgrade even for older airframes.

Can JetWave X be integrated quickly in theater or at the point of need?

Yes – that’s one of the biggest advances. The modular design allows rapid installation and field reconfiguration. This is achieved through roll-on/roll-off kits where a system can be installed and operational within hours. That agility is critical for forward-deployed forces who can’t afford long depot cycles or a complex fixed installation.

Closing thoughts:

SATCOM is no longer a niche enabler – it’s mission-critical. JetWave X represents the next generation of resilient connectivity for defense and government operators. Whether the mission is humanitarian relief, ISR, or combat air support, reliable data links are non-negotiable. Honeywell is proud to be at the forefront of that transformation, bringing together the best of aerospace engineering, network innovation and operational insight.