Collins Aerospace expects to install a lot more in-flight connectivity systems on business jets. The company agreed to purchase an additional $11 million worth of antenna systems from Astronics, extending the relationship between the two companies.
Improved connectivity for the business jet market has become an imperative and we are committed to providing the best connectivity capability available for aircraft with our technologies.
– Michael Kuehn, Astronics CSC President
The T-311 antenna is a tail-mount solution delivering Ku-band satellite connectivity to the business aviation market. In conjunction with the Collins integration and SES satellite capacity it enables internet browsing as well as video conferencing and streaming entertainment on configured planes.
Michael Kuehn, Astronics CSC President, suggests that the deal “validates the success of Collins Aerospace connectivity services and the performance of Astronics connectivity hardware.”
Last July Astronics CEO Peter Gundermann suggested that the company was “giving everything we’ve got to this one” BizAv antenna program, part of a transition away from other antenna programs in the commercial aviation segment.
In November Gundermann doubled down on that position, noting “very good success from a performance perspective” on the antenna. But the company still awaited a firm order commitment from Collins to begin producing the gear in volume.
With that order in hand Astronics now has a target for manufacturing volumes.
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