Inmarsat is rolling out of a new high-speed system specifically designed to provide reliable connectivity services to rotorcraft. SwiftBroadband Helo X-Stream was developed to enable advanced streaming through intermediate and high-gain antennas, alleviating long-standing connectivity issues that have stemmed from rotor-blade interference.

Inmarsat said the system delivers additional power and effectively reduces packet loss and jitter. This significantly improves bandwidth, quality, and reliability of service, the provider further said, adding it enables consistent transmission of real-time data, including video streaming.

Testing earlier this year showed that the SB-Helo X-Stream service can achieve a 40 percent reduction in data packet loss and deliver up to 400 kbps per single channel. Multiple channels can be aggregated to enhance the overall performance of the system, Inmarsat said.

Todd McDonell, president of Inmarsat’s Global Government business unit, said the company has had a long-standing commitment to developing helicopter connectivity technology. “The introduction of this new solution will ensure government helicopter operators have reliable satellite connectivity, enhancing the capability of rotary-wing platforms by providing simultaneous voice and data communications.”

Inmarsat plans for the service to be transmitted through a variety of hardware options, permitting customers to select the most appropriate technologies for their platform and crew needs.