Hughes Defence and Intelligence Systems Division (DISD) has demonstrated 360 degree beyond-line-of-sight (BLoS) SATCOM capability for rotary blade platforms, including helicopters.
During the demonstration, HD video was continuously streamed through the rotating blades of a Bell 407 Multi-role helicopter.
Until now such platforms were only able to see approximately 200 degrees of sight, causing pilots to consider aircraft positioning to ensure continuous streaming of HD video and other data.
“Customers requiring real time SATCOM on helicopters will no longer have to worry about aircraft positioning in order to stream HD video or other data.”
According to Hughes, the technology is important for meeting the US' and its allies' goal of real-time, uninterrupted communications in critical missions like ISR gathering, search and rescue, and disaster relief.
The advancement integrates the Hughes HM200 airborne modem and two lightweight antennas mounted on top of the helicopter's weapons platforms via an easy Roll-on/Roll-off installation.
Wayne Marhefka, senior director at Hughes DISD said the two antennas seamlessly hand-off the satellite signal based on aircraft position, with little to no feed interruption.
“Customers requiring real time SATCOM on helicopters will no longer have to worry about aircraft positioning in order to stream HD video or other data.”
According to Marhefka, the two advanced airborne terminals have very low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints, enabling placement of the antennas at strategic low-risk locations on the helicopter without costly structural changes and re-certification.
Lopac consultant and Hughes local representative Bob Parker told ADM the technology a Bell 407 would be at the Avalon Air Show to demonstrate the technology.
He also said relevant parties within Defence had been approached regarding the technology, that there was interest and that further demonstrations were planned following the event.
“The HM200 modem is the same as the one embedded within a smaller terminal called Zebra, demonstrated at the MilCIS event in November last year,” Parker said. “We've also got a unit at the Land Network Integration Centre for testing.”