[Satellite TODAY 07-27-10] Hughes Network Systems has completed a demonstration of its commercial-off-the-shelf-(COTS)-based advanced airborne video solution to an unnamed government agency, the company announced July 26.
    The demonstration, which took place on Row 44’s flying test-bed aircraft, confirmed the solution’s ability to produce full D-1 video resolution at air-to-ground user data rates of more than 2 megabits per second. The solution was outfitted with Tecom Industries’ KuStream 1000 bi-directional Ku-band antenna and Streambox’s highly secure video coding and viewing sub-system.
Intelsat General provided the communications link for the demonstration via its Horizon-1 satellite at 127 degrees West. Hughes’ HX routers and HX ExpertNMS management system supported the solution.
    “Our airborne technology has advanced rapidly. Our new airborne video solution features speeds five times greater than what is currently available — delivering groundbreaking performance at an affordable cost. Founded on a proven COTS-based platform, this progressive solution will truly enhance situational awareness for users in the military and government,” Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division Vice President and General Manager Rick Lober said in a statement.