Airframe Designs Collaborates in Satellite Comms Technology

Key Takeaways

• Airframe Designs collaborates with Reliasat and 21Aero to develop a groundbreaking satellite communications antenna
• The new antenna offers low weight, low drag, low power, and low cost, with a single-beam ESA capable of very low beam switch times
• The technology reduces carbon footprint and minimizes cost of ownership through an affordable Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) package
• The antenna features a flat, low-profile geometry, ideal for modern communication systems, including satellite, aviation, and ground communications
• The ESA panels are designed for robust aviation mobility, providing capabilities exceeding 400Mbps

Introduction to Airframe Designs Collaboration

Airframe Designs, in collaboration with UK JV partners Reliasat and 21Aero, has unveiled a revolutionary satellite communications antenna at the recent Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. This joint venture brings together over 100 years of combined experience in aviation and In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC), aiming to disrupt the market with innovative solutions.

Technical Specifications and Benefits

The new antenna boasts a single-beam ESA with very low beam switch times, maintaining a significant operational advantage with over 60 degrees viewing angles and minimal signal loss. This technology reduces the carbon footprint by lowering the weight and drag of traditional systems, while also minimizing the cost of ownership. The antenna's technical excellence is evident in its flat, low-profile geometry, ideal for modern communication systems, including satellite, aviation, and ground communications.

Comparison of Antenna Technologies

Advanced Capabilities and Sustainability

The ESA panels are designed for robust aviation mobility, utilizing LEO Ka networks and providing capabilities exceeding 400Mbps. The panel size and number of elements are scalable based on use case, bandwidth requirements, network specifications, link budget, modem type, and power input, supporting even portable applications. This antenna system represents a leap forward in antenna technology, with its ultra-low profile design significantly reducing drag and optimized for commercial aircraft deployment.

Conclusion and Future Implications

Airframe Designs has earned a reputation for delivering optimal engineering solutions for mechanical structures, with a strong emphasis on new design, modifications, repairs, and reverse engineering, as well as providing advanced additive manufacturing services. With the development of this groundbreaking satellite communications antenna, Airframe Designs is set to reshape the IFEC landscape, offering unparalleled performance and sustainability in satellite communications.

Bottom Line

The collaboration between Airframe Designs, Reliasat, and 21Aero has resulted in a revolutionary satellite communications antenna that offers significant performance advantages compared to existing solutions. With its advanced capabilities, low weight, low drag, and low cost, this technology is poised to disrupt the market and set new standards in the environmental and economic sustainability of aviation technologies.