Hughes Demonstrates High Definition Video Over Satellite from Rotary Wing Aircraft

July 20, 2015

Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced that its Defense and Intelligence Systems Division (DISD) successfully demonstrated the transmission of real-time, high definition video through helicopter blades with no signal disruption using its unique beyond-line-of-sight (BLoS) technology. Conducted on July 6-8, the testing of the Hughes end-to-end SATCOM solution for airborne platforms was performed on a NorthStar Aviation Bell 407 multi-role helicopter (MRH), and was supported by Boeing, General Dynamics, DataPath, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. The test was the first of its kind in the Ka-band over the Inmarsat-5 (I-5) F2 satellite, part of the Global Xpress constellation.

"High definition video with zero packet loss through rotary blades is a significant new capability for satellite communications," said Rick Lober, vice president and GM, Hughes DISD. "The military and law enforcement personnel employing helicopters for BLoS communication have been limited in the past, but not anymore. This technology opens the door for pervasive use of SATCOM-enabled helicopters over mountainous terrain, open water, natural disasters, or anywhere that line of sight communication means are blocked or out of range."

A new, ruggedized modem was employed during a series of flight tests to assess the capabilities of relaying real-time video from helicopters to ground operatives who could potentially be hundreds or even thousands of miles away from the aircraft. Rotary wing aircraft applications using the novel Hughes waveform technology include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for military use, border security, search and rescue, wildfire response, news gathering and police patrol.  Though testing was conducted on the Ka-band over the Inmarsat Global Xpress system via its I-5 F2 satellite, the Hughes solution can transmit across all satellite frequency bands, and may be applied to fixed and rotary wing platforms built by Sikorsky, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics and others. Representatives from the DoD, several large aerospace prime contractors and commercial helicopter operators attended various phases of the testing to witness the new Hughes technology.