Inmarsat, Honeywell Launch SwiftJet to Enhance Government Aviation Capabilities

Inmarsat and Honeywell are setting a new benchmark in satellite communications with the launch of SwiftJet, the latest connectivity service for business and government airborne users. It will enter commercial service in the first half of 2023 and deliver high-throughput connectivity over L-band worldwide.

As one of the first new services to be introduced on Inmarsat’s ELERA satellite network, SwiftJet will offer seamless global coverage with maximum speeds of 2.6 Mbps supporting forward links to aviation platforms.

SwiftJet uses advanced hardware from Inmarsat’s partner Honeywell, which can be equipped on a broad range of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, including small and midsize jets, and also supports cockpit and safety services. Existing customers of Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband service will benefit from a natural upgrade path without needing to replace any externally-mounted aircraft equipment, while new customers will experience the same ease of installation as with any Inmarsat L-band terminal. It is available to pre-order through Honeywell, with additional incentives in an early adopter campaign.

Susan Miller, CEO of Inmarsat Government, said: “Through Inmarsat’s unique worldwide, mobile, highly-reliable ELERA network, Inmarsat Government continues to provide services that are relevant to government customers and are designed for every aspect of government and military on-the-move missions. With the introduction of SwiftJet, Inmarsat is now expanding narrowband capabilities, delivering faster, more advanced L-band offerings with our renowned characteristics of resilience, reliability, availability and information assurance, whenever and wherever our customers operate.”

Adam Sheppard, Honeywell Aerospace’s Director of Aircraft Connectivity, said: “With Inmarsat we have created a straightforward upgrade path for all our SwiftBroadband customers including government users. This upgrade not only provides a highly resilient link to the aircraft but also provides a return link capable of speeds up to 2.6 Mbps on a global network. This optimized forward and return link significantly expands the mission capabilities of an aircraft without having to change wiring or antenna hardware.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA global satellite network delivers the world’s most reliable and flexible worldwide connectivity, with full redundancy and unique resilience in all conditions. ELERA capabilities are being further enhanced with the addition of two Inmarsat-6 (I-6) satellites, the largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever built, both of which are scheduled to enter service next year and will support SwiftJet through the 2030s, reinforcing the service’s long-term value. The L-band capacity on each I-6 satellite will be substantially greater than Inmarsat’s 4th generation spacecraft, delivering 50% more capacity per beam in addition to unlimited beam routing flexibility.

The I-6 series of satellites will also play a crucial role in the ongoing growth of Inmarsat’s unique ORCHESTRA dynamic mesh network, which will bring existing geosynchronous (GEO) satellites together with low earth orbit (LEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, and terrestrial 5G to form an integrated, high-performance solution, unmatched by any existing or planned competitor offering.

ABOUT INMARSAT

Inmarsat is the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications. It owns and operates the world’s most diverse global portfolio of mobile telecommunications satellite networks, and holds a multi-layered, global spectrum portfolio, covering L-band, Ka-band and S-band, enabling unparalleled breadth and diversity in the solutions it provides. Inmarsat’s long-established global distribution network includes not only the world’s leading channel partners but also its own strong direct retail capabilities, enabling end to end customer service assurance.

The company has an unrivalled track record of operating the world’s most reliable global mobile satellite telecommunications networks, sustaining business and mission critical safety & operational applications for more than 40 years. It is also a major driving force behind technological innovation in mobile satellite communications, sustaining its leadership through a substantial investment and a powerful network of technology and manufacturing partners.

Inmarsat operates across a diversified portfolio of sectors with the financial resources to fund its business strategy and holds leading positions in the Maritime, Government, Aviation and Enterprise satcoms markets, operating consistently as a trusted, responsive and high-quality partner to its customers across the globe.

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ABOUT INMARSAT GOVERNMENT

The U.S. government has relied on and trusted Inmarsat satellite services since 1979. Inmarsat Government continues to deliver the world’s most advanced global, mobile satellite communication services to U.S. defense, intelligence, homeland security, public safety and civilian agencies, with highly reliable, secure and affordable connectivity. Built with government users in mind, Inmarsat Government provides resilient, flexible capabilities to complement government satellite resources, anytime, anywhere. Leveraging an industry-leading scalable multiband network infrastructure, Inmarsat Government offers a suite of managed network services and end-to-end communication solutions to support users on land, at sea and in the air, even in the world's most remote regions. Headquartered in Reston, VA, Inmarsat Government is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inmarsat Group Holdings Limited.  

ABOUT HONEYWELL

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft. The Aerospace business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.