Aeronautical Satellites

DEVELOPMENT of satellite systems for aircraft use has now reached a stage at which operators and manufacturers will be given a wide choice of communications terminals to suit their requirements. Companies on both sides of the Atlantic are pursuing a variety of different approaches so that operators have a freedom of choice to select appropriate antenna and avionics units. Flight testing is to begin during this year, notably involving the products of Racal in the UK and Collins, Ball and E‐Systems in the USA.