Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed the delivery of dozens of SATCOM (Satellite Communication) terminals with a conformal electronically-steered antenna for fighter aircraft. The SATCOM terminals are based on AESA (Active Electronic Scanned Array) technology, and are installed on advanced 4.5 generation Western fighter jets. The ground-breaking technology is currently on display at Satellite 2022, in Washington D.C.
IAI’s beyond line-of-sight solution ensures seamless voice and data communications, at any location, and even during fast, low-altitude flight. Utilizing a unique flush-mounted antenna, the compact AESA SATCOM system eliminates antenna and radome drag, and is therefore optimally suited to a fighter aircraft’s aggressive flight envelope, as well as to other platforms requiring low-drag performance. By relying on a single LRU phased array, the technology is installed and integrated smoothly and ensures a low life cycle cost. With a high-performance and robust network design, the system connects hundreds of registered users, and switches seamlessly between frequencies, at any given moment, according to the mission scenario and requirements.
IAI’s airborne SATCOM systems are pioneers in the market with decades of operational experience. The systems have been deployed worldwide on hundreds of fighter jets in a variety of models.
Adi Dulberg, General Manager of Intelligence Communications and EW Division at IAI-ELTA, said that the conformal SATCOM does not affect the fighter’s aerodynamics of the fighter and allows it to stay connected even when performing very sharp manoeuvres. “Completing the delivery of dozens of these systems to our customer is an important milestone for IAI. Conformal terminals are the future of airborne SATCOM, and are enabled through IAI’s leadership in AESA technologies. By utilizing our AESA expertise to provide a breakthrough in airborne beyond line-of-sight communications, IAI is highlighting its innovative spirit and cutting-edge capabilities.”
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
