The U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) have selected Honeywell’s JetWave communications system to outfit their fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
The JetWave system will be installed on 16 Boeing C-17 aircraft, split evenly between the two operators.
Honeywell’s JetWave Fuselage Mounted Antenna (FMA) system will provide reliable, fast and seamless mission communications between the deploying forces in the back of the Boeing C-17 aircraft and key personnel on the ground.
Most importantly, with JetWave FMA, the command and operations team of ANG and AFRC will benefit from beyond-line-of-sight communications on the reliable Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) network.
“Multidomain military missions have grown increasingly complex, and it is important that the command and operations team of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command are provided with accurate and timely information for an informed decision-making process,” said Matt Milas, President, Defense and Space, Honeywell Aerospace. “With Honeywell’s JetWave FMA system, airmen and soldiers onboard the Boeing C-17 aircraft will be able to send and receive secure messages; upload and download large-encrypted files including maps, intelligence reports and battle plans; conduct secure video conferences with ground units; and even livestream videos of a target area provided by unmanned aerial vehicles or military forces on the ground.”
According to Honeywell, the JetWave satellite communications system provides seamless and reliable Ka-band connectivity for militaries worldwide.
Additionally, the system is said to provide warfighters with unparalleled situational awareness, transforming the aircraft into a node in the battlefield network and enabling the warfighter to complete their mission safely.