JetWave X Marks the Spot Where Satcom’s Future Begins for MilGov Operators

The future of satellite communications hinges on the ability of military and government operators to shift seamlessly between satellites in multiple orbits using different frequency bands and service providers.

“Accessing the best available connection, regardless of orbit or service, will give operators the resilience and flexibility to succeed, even under contested or degraded conditions,” said Tom Konicki, Honeywell Director of Business Development. “As multi-network, multi-orbit capabilities evolve, operators will experience always-available connectivity across all domains.”

Honeywell’s groundbreaking JetWave X satcom system ushers in the future of connectivity in the second half of 2025. It is ideal for military and government operators of large uncrewed aerial systems, special mission aircraft, business jets and transports, or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms.

For example, L3Harris chose JetWave X to upgrade the U.S. Army’s Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARES) and provide soldiers with improved connectivity around the globe. JetWave X will enable the Army to transmit mission-critical information at higher data rates than currently available while ensuring a constant connection through JetWave X’s resilient, multi-network architecture.

ARES is a U.S. Army demonstrator aircraft owned and operated by L3Harris. The Bombardier Global 6000/6500-class business jet features technologies that represent the future of airborne ISR.  

Multi-Network, Multi-Orbit Capabilities Drive Resilience

The military pioneered the multi-network, multi-orbit approach to connectivity years ago to improve resilience and ensure secure, uninterrupted communications in contested or denied environments. Advanced data control, open architecture and other innovations, along with the proliferation of new satellite constellations in low, medium and geostationary orbits, are now ready to take connectivity to new levels.  

JetWave X is the first satcom system able to connect – beginning Day 1 – with current and future Ka-band satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). This includes commercial networks such as Global Xpress (GX) and the new Viasat-3 constellation.

Military and government operators will be able to use JetWave X to connect with government-operated satellite networks in the civilian Ka frequencies initially. 

Honeywell is on a path to deliver JetWave X, including special military-government frequencies, sometime in 2026.

LEO Networks Are On the Horizon

As low Earth orbit (LEO) networks come online, Honeywell plans to use Electronically Scanned Antennas (ESAs) to also integrate LEO satellites, which will reduce latency and improve resilience in contested environments, according to Tom Konicki, Honeywell Director of Business Development.