
Aircraft SATCOM system interoperable with current and future commercial and military satellites
PARIS / TAMPA, FL / HERNDON, VA -19 January 2022 - Eclipse Global Connectivity, Smiths Interconnect and ST Engineering iDirect (iDirect) today announced their collaboration to deliver an integrated airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (A-ISR) satellite communications (SATCOM) capability for military and government aircraft. The solution, drawing on the extensive expertise of the three companies, will initially address the beyond-line-of-sight connectivity requirements for an EMEA government unmanned platform.
Marc Pinault, CEO of Eclipse Global Connectivity, elaborated on the collaboration, Bringing together our collective expertise allows us to deliver innovative solutions with a turnkey approach. We share a common commitment to delivering satellite connectivity solutions that enable military and government customers to achieve their mission objectives, and we are pleased to partner with Smiths Interconnect and ST Engineering iDirect, two industry-leading organizations.
The new Ka-Band solution operates across military and civil frequencies and is suitable for manned and unmanned platforms. The recognized and proven iDirect Evolution Defense platform features military-grade security and advanced mobility capabilities for tactical operations. The iDirect 9800 AE airborne modem combined with the Smiths Interconnect KaStream 5000 MK II, a next-generation 30cm parabolic antenna, provides a complete solution for Airborne ISR Operations.
Eclipse Global Connectivity is the end-to-end systems integrator, providing the aircraft radome, platform integration/certification and military-grade encryption. Lightweight and compact, this new capability enables high data rate connectivity, enabling HD full-motion video to support A-ISR missions. Given that the solution is interoperable with a wide range of current and future civilian and military Ka-band satellite constellations, the operator can fly missions anywhere in the world, with truly global connectivity.
When three companies of this calibre team up, you can be sure that an innovative solution will emerge, said Ralph DeMarco, vice president of sales at Smiths Interconnect. Our Ka-5000 two LRU configuration offers a lightweight airborne satellite connectivity solution while simultaneously providing continuous high data rate bandwidth, helping to ensure mission success. Through the technology collaboration with Eclipse and ST Engineering iDirect, we deliver a new capability that meets the customer's needs and enhances our product offering of high reliability, high performance solutions for satellite communications.
Our heritage in the government, defense and mobility sectors has given us an innate understanding of their unique user requirements, said Jerome Clapisson, regional vice president of sales, Europe at ST Engineering iDirect. We strive to provide the products that will enable our best-in-class ecosystem partners to merge the most innovative components that result in a state-of-art solution. We are delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with Eclipse and Smiths Interconnect.
About Eclipse Global Connectivity
Eclipse Global Connectivity is an airborne-connectivity system-integration expert. Decades of experience and a rigorous understanding of satellite communications (SATCOM) infrastructure and the aircraft ecosystem ensure the delivery of innovative communication solutions. Government, military, business and commercial aircraft operators rely on Eclipse and engineering division Eclipse Technics for solutions that help them accomplish operational and business goals. Operators trust the company for its full range of services including engineering and system design, SATCOM hardware, innovative software applications, satellite airtime, Supplemental Type Certificates and installation kits, and operational support. Established in 1996, with its headquarters in the vicinity of Paris, France, Eclipse offers flexible, bespoke solutions that meet requirements, are certified and maintain safety. Visit www.eclipseglobalconnectivity.com to learn more.
About Smiths Interconnect
Smiths Interconnect is a leading provider of technically differentiated electronic components, subsystems, microwave, optical and radio frequency products that connect, protect and control critical applications in the commercial aviation, defense, space, medical, rail, semiconductor test, and industrial market segments. Smiths Interconnect is synonymous with exceptional performance whenever a technologically advanced, high quality solution is required to ensure reliability and safety.
Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, communications and engineered components. Smiths Group has a presence in more than 50 countries.
About ST Engineering iDirect
ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering North America, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. Through the merger with Newtec, a recognized industry pioneer, the combined business unites over 35 years of innovation focused on solving satellite's most critical economic and technology challenges and expands a shared commitment to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded under the names iDirect and Newtec, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is the world's largest TDMA enterprise VSAT man
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
09/03/2026
Contains all six dual-ensemble libraries
VSL's Duality Strings series offers an intriguing alternative to your average string library, capturing two str...
09/03/2026
Outstanding Contribution To UK Music
Photo: Samuel Bradley
Ahead of their upcoming MPG Awards, the Music Producers Guild (MPG) have revealed the latest win...
09/03/2026
Two new high-quality DI boxes announced
Boasting some impressive technical specifications and versatile routing options, Strymon's latest active DI boxe...
09/03/2026
Latest MPE-capable Soundbox library released
The follow-up release for Sonora Cinematic's Pure Nylon has arrived, and becomes the latest addition to the...
09/03/2026
Popular wireless mic head design revived
Sennheiser have revealed that the MD 9235, a cardioid mic head designed to pair up with their handheld wireless sys...
09/03/2026
Captures two sought-after Dumble combo amps
The latest TONEX release captures a pair of sought-after Dumble amplifiers from IK Multimedia's private amp ...
09/03/2026
Flexible all-analogue insert matrix joins line-up
HUM Audio Devices don't tend to do things by halves - even the quickest of glances at the likes of the...
09/03/2026
Captures three sought-after pianos
Rhodes latest software release brings together a collection of three virtual pianos: a concert grand, an acoustic upright...
09/03/2026
Flagship compressor gets an upgrade
Techivation's flagship compressor plug-in has just been treated to a ground-up rebuild that kits it out with some po...
09/03/2026
Profiler OS 14.0 enters open beta
Kemper's amp-modelling systems already have a great reputation, but the latest update to their systems' underlying...
09/03/2026
Procedural stems smasher & recomposition engine
Blinksonic have recently launched a new Reaktor-based tool which they say takes a radical departure from yo...
09/03/2026
13 - 15 March 2026 at University of Warwick Conference Centre
The Institute of Professional Sound (IPS) have announced that The IPS Training Weekend 2026 wi...
09/03/2026
Rohde & Schwarz and NETGEAR collaborate for next generation Wi-Fi 8 access point...
09/03/2026
UKTV has agreed a new partnership deal with Samsung that makes UKTV's free linear channels available to internet-only Samsung TV viewers in the UK for the f...
09/03/2026
Monday 9 March 2026
Sky reveals first look trailer and sets premiere date for S...
09/03/2026
Monday 9 March 2026
Sky Appoints Damian Saunders as Managing Director of Sky Business
Sky has today announced the appointment of Damian Saunders as Managing D...
09/03/2026
Bill O'Reilly Announces New Weekly Podcast We'll Do It LIVE! We'll Do It LIVE!' A Bold, Fresh Presentation from Bill O'Reilly
New York...
09/03/2026
MOSOLF SE & Co. KG Relies on green.screen from Arvato Systems for Strategic Ener...
09/03/2026
A powerful new national initiative supporting people living with dementia launch...
06/03/2026
Ten years after its release, South African hip-hop artist Kwesta's DaKAR II is still making waves. With 51.8 million streams on Spotify, the album continues...
06/03/2026
06 Mar 2026
VEON and JazzWorld Advance Pakistan's Digital Financial Future ...
06/03/2026
Friday 6 March 2026
Teaser revealed for Saturday Night Live UKTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy options and select Accept All'.
Privacy...
06/03/2026
Discover how the F1 sound team turned a real Grand Prix into a cinematic experience.
Director Joseph Kosinski and his team worked directly with the Formula On...
06/03/2026
Arvato Systems Joins Initiative D21 e. V.
Shaping digital transformation together
Collaboration in Germanys largest network for the digital society
Membersh...
06/03/2026
The Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) is a global initiative dedicated to c...
06/03/2026
We are deeply saddened to hear the very sad news of the death of our friend and colleague, John McHugh. John was an exceptionally talented creative leader who s...
06/03/2026
First exclusive look at RT 's promo as Ireland prepare to take on Czechia
Every Moment, Every Generation
https://youtu.be/2ijo96EadLU
36 years after Geor...
05/03/2026
A little over a year ago, Spotify introduced the quarterly Creator Milestone Awa...
05/03/2026
Rohde & Schwarz enables rapid validation of next-gen Wi-Fi 8 networking platform...
05/03/2026
Rohde & Schwarz acquires Software Radio Systems (SRS), specialists in software d...
05/03/2026
5. March 2026 Radmila Stoltz
In March, Reimagining DAM 2026 will welcome an extraordinary group of industry leaders who are defining the next era of Digital...
05/03/2026
Celebrating 21 Years of the RT Choice Music Prize
RT Choice Music Prize
In association with IMRO and IRMA
RT Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2...
05/03/2026
Thursday 5 March 2026
Sky News secures ninth News Channel of the Year award as ...
05/03/2026
Thursday 5 March 2026
Sky Sports launches first ever nationwide creator competi...
05/03/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 5, 2026 - At the 2026 NAB Show, Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT)...
05/03/2026
Comscore and Yahoo DSP Partner to Advance CTV Political Advertising with Proximi...
04/03/2026
For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...
04/03/2026
In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...
04/03/2026
Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we...
04/03/2026
Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...
04/03/2026
Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...
04/03/2026
KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...