ViaSat recently announced that it has demonstrated a high-performance Ka-band satellite communication system that delivers broadband for rotary wing aircraft through a flight test at Patuxent River, Maryland using a Sikorsky H-3 Helicopter.
Despite very high shock and vibration and inherent repetitive signal blockage from rotating blades, this advanced system provided sustained data rates of 4 Mbps from the helicopter to a ground station and 8 Mbps to the helicopter.
The antenna used in the flight test was the new ViaSat VR-12 Ka antenna, which is a form and fit alternative to the VR-12 Ku-band antenna. The VR-12 Ku has achieved milestones of 500 deliveries and over 500,000 mission hours.
This new system builds on proven ViaSat mobile Ku and Ka technologies using a modified waveform optimized for efficient broadband communications, enabling new operational concepts for military and civil helicopter missions.
For further information contact Peter Weissmann at Viasat on 02 6163 9210 or by email: peter.weissmann@viasat.com