32 OH-58D Kiowa Warriors conduct a flyover above Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Photo: DOD, Kenneth Kassens.

Orbit Communications Systems intends to expand the development of its new Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) for airborne satcom to include helicopters. According to the company, a global provider of defense products and services placed an order valued at approximately $3 million for the delivery of helicopter systems between 2018 and 2022. This is the first time Orbit’s new multipurpose terminal for airborne satcom will be developed for the rotary-wing platform.

Built to Military Standard (MIL-STD), the 30-cm antenna will deliver data communications via satellite to a range of military helicopters. Orbit specifically designed the system overcome the challenges posed by helicopter installations, such as constant vibration and the need for a self-cooling mechanism when placed behind the exhaust systems.

“Our decision to extend the development of our multi-purpose terminals to helicopters was prompted by market demand,” said Eitan Livneh, CEO of Orbit. “Time to market is a key factor and our ability to tailor our technology to customer needs is proving to be a very attractive and marketable commodity.”

This story was originally published in Rotor & Wing International, a Via Satellite sister publication. It has been edited to better serve our audience.