Rockwell Collins gets contract for satellite broadband Internet provider

CEDAR RAPIDS — Rockwell Collins has announced two significant business developments this week.

The Cedar Rapids-based avionics, communications, and information management company has signed a memorandum of understanding with OneWeb Ltd. to be the exclusive developer and provider of satellite communication terminals for OneWeb's global aviation high-speed broadband Internet service.

Under the agreement, Rockwell Collins also will be an authorized value added reseller of OneWeb services.

OneWeb is building a constellation of more than 600 satellites that, when launched, will be the largest telecommunications system in orbit. It will provide approximately 10 terabits per second of high-speed broadband to people around the globe.

OneWeb will team with Rockwell Collins to develop and certify the satellite communication terminals, which will use electronically scanned array antenna technology developed by Rockwell Collins.

'The antenna is a fraction of the size and weight of a traditional airborne satellite communication antenna, which means significant long-term cost savings for airlines from reduced fuel consumption,' said John Borghese, vice president, Advanced Technology Center for Rockwell Collins, in a news release.

Separately, Rockwell Collins has been awarded a seven-year contract by the Federal Aviation Administration to its oceanic data link service to enable real-time, data communications between pilots and air traffic controllers. That will allow airlines to fly more efficient routes to save fuel and enhance safety.

Rockwell Collins' ARINC data link service enables standard requests, like altitude changes, to be communicated using data transmissions between the FAA's air route traffic control centers.

The ARINC data link service also allows aircraft to automatically transmit periodic position reports. That will enable the FAA to track an aircraft's location when traveling over the ocean and out of radar range.