Astronics subsidiary Astronics AeroSat (Stand 664) has received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for its new T-200 series satellite communications system. The entire system consists of the tail-mounted antenna as well as the low-power satcom transceiver, antenna control and modem unit, power amplifier and diplexer.

The launch customer aircraft is a Gulfstream G-IVSP, on which the Astronics FlightStream T-210 system was installed. The system is approved for all G-IV-family jets. Astronics expects to add more aircraft with follow-on STCs beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

The Ku-band FlightStream satcom enables Internet browsing, email, voice-over-IP telephone calling, VPN service and hundreds of channels of Direct Broadcast Service television, including “dual capability of switching between DBS-TV and broadband internet connectivity in a single antenna package,” according to Astronics.

The tail-mounted antenna facilitates airborne connectivity at high latitudes with low-angle satellite coverage, and it also provides full reception while the aircraft is maneuvering, even at high latitudes. The FlightStream satcom allows passengers to connect using mobile devices such as laptop computers, tablets and smartphones.