Orbit Communication Systems, a developer of airborne satellite-tracking solutions, and Inmarsat, a provider of mobile satellite communications technologies, have announced the development of a new Ka-band multi-purpose airborne terminal. The Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) 30WGX is designed to deliver high-throughput wideband communications via the Inmarsat Global Xpress worldwide network for airborne platforms such as UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and drones.
The compact, lightweight terminal features a 30-cm (12″) antenna and is intended to fulfill “anytime, anywhere” connectivity requirements. It is a complementary product to Orbit’s 46-cm (18″) MPT 46WGX terminal, which is due to enter full-scale production in the near future. Once certified, the MPT 46WGX will also be optimized for use with Inmarsat’s Global Xpress system and will be interoperable with military Ka-band services.
Stav Gizunterman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Orbit, commented: “We are very pleased to continue partnering with Inmarsat to develop innovative new airborne capabilities. The new terminal, which complements our MPT 46WGX, will help open up service offerings to an expanded range of aircraft.”
Steve Gizinski, Chief Technology Officer at Inmarsat Government, commented: “Inmarsat is pleased to be working with Orbit to introduce innovative and forward-looking satellite solutions that support today’s complex missions. Orbit’s innovation and expansion of their MPT terminal line ensure that airborne users will have access to reliable wideband mobility for increased agility and worldwide portability.”
