Honeywell Aerospace discusses the JetWave X satellite communication (SATCOM) system, designed to provide secure, high-speed connectivity for military and government (MilGov) operators. Read more >>
JetWave X enables multi-orbit, multi-network SATCOM capability, ensuring continuous and resilient connectivity for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, uncrewed aerial systems, special mission aircraft, business jets, and transports.
The future of satellite communications systems depends on operators’ ability to move seamlessly between satellites in multiple orbits, frequency bands, and service providers.
As Tom Konicki, Honeywell’s Director of Business Development, stated, “Accessing the best available connection, regardless of orbit or service, will give operators the resilience and flexibility to succeed, even under contested or degraded conditions. As multi-network, multi-orbit capabilities evolve, operators will experience always-available connectivity across all domains.”
The multi-network, multi-orbit approach, developed by the military, enhances resilience and ensures uninterrupted communications in contested or denied environments.
JetWave X is said to be the first SATCOM system capable of connecting from Day 1 with current and future Ka-band satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO), highly elliptical orbit (HEO), and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). Supported networks include Global Xpress (GX) and the Viasat-3 constellation.
Initially, MilGov operators can connect with government-operated satellite networks using civilian Ka frequencies. Honeywell plans to deliver support for special military-government frequencies in 2026.
Connectivity Across Orbits & Networks
As low Earth orbit (LEO) networks come online, Honeywell intends to integrate Electronically Scanned Antennas (ESAs) to include LEO satellites, further reducing latency and improving resilience.
JetWave X’s advanced data control routing software enables operators to use multiple SATCOM systems to connect with various satellites across different orbits, ensuring seamless transitions between networks without any disruption to operations.
Konicki commented, “JetWave X is the perfect solution in cases where satellite signals are jammed, spoofed, or degraded for whatever reason, because it can jump from one network to another to find a valid signal.
“For example, with JetWave X, an aircraft can fly from Point A to Point B and back again, using the PACE approach to switch from ‘primary’ to ‘alternate,’ ‘contingency’ and ‘emergency’ satellite networks multiple times, without ever losing connectivity.”
Delivering download speeds of up to 200 Mbps in busy flight corridors and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, JetWave X provides a tenfold improvement over most in-service SATCOM systems.
Honeywell’s JetWave X has demonstrated success across multiple applications. For example, L3Harris has selected the system to upgrade the U.S. Army’s Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System (ARES), providing enhanced global connectivity, higher data rates for mission-critical operations, and a constant connection through a resilient, multi-network architecture.
