Cobham Aerospace Communications, in partnership with Inmarsat, launched an SB-Helo X-Stream helicopter satcom for Cobham Aviator SP systems, promising improved communication and reduced packet loss of up to 40 percent. The new satcom is designed to tackle issues with the transmission of data such as video imagery that stem from rotor interference.

Inmarsat and Cobham have conducted extensive testing on a protocol in network Quality of Service (QoS) selection that enhances the Inmarsat’s L-band Swiftbroadband X-Stream service. The protocol allows data from rotary-wing aircraft to be transmitted to the Inmarsat satellite network via dedicated modulation schemes, the companies said, adding that the resiliency of the transmission will provide “an improvement in throughput of around 37 percent.”

A free software update will enable helicopters in remote locations to transmit a significantly improved video or data stream, they noted, saying this is particularly important for missions such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, and military forces.

“Having worked with Cobham in the development of this new protocol, we are very pleased with the results we have seen from the trials and foresee that this cost-effective solution will be greatly sought after in the growing government helo market,” said Todd McDonell, president of global government at Inmarsat.

Willem Kasselman, the v-p of sales, marketing and support at Cobham Aerospace Communications, called the launch a breakthrough, “solving a long-standing problem in helicopter satcom communications. The partnership between Cobham Aerospace Communications and Inmarsat is an important one for us and we look forward to building on this announcement and expanding and improving other related services over the coming months.”