Photo: Sitaonair

[Via Satellite 10-20-2016] Inmarsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to appoint Sitaonair as a distribution partner for its next generation SwiftBroadband-Safety aviation service. The agreement follows the recent announcement of Rockwell Collins’ Letter of Intent (LOI) to also distribute the aviation product.

SwiftBroadband-Safety is an “always-on and always-secure” solution based on IP-based broadband connectivity. The solution enables “Black Box in the Cloud” flight data streaming, real-time Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications such as networked graphical weather, and other applications. Furthermore, SwiftBroadband-Safety meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS) requirements, including flight tracking. As a distributor of Inmarsat’s Classic Aero satellite communications service, Sitaonair will now be able to provide migration options for existing customers to SwiftBroadband-Safety.

“Through our engagement with the airlines, Sitaonair believes the industry is ready to embrace SwiftBroadband-Safety’s secure IP-based services to the cockpit. We are developing services and applications that will leverage this secure IP-based communications services platform to enhance both safety and operational efficiency,” said David Lavorel, CEO of Sitaonair.

SwiftBroadband-Safety hardware is currently available for initial retrofit installation on existing aircraft, and is scheduled to become a standard option on new aircraft deliveries starting in 2018. Hawaiian Airlines is currently trialing the Inmarsat service, and Airbus has selected the solution for its A320 and A330 aircraft families.