Gilat Satellite Networks has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Wavestream has been awarded an exclusive contract by Honeywell to supply Ka-band transceivers for integration into airborne antenna systems to provide in-flight connectivity to the Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) network. Scaled production for the transceivers is expected to begin in 2014.

Honeywell and Inmarsat signed an agreement in April 2012 to provide global in-flight connectivity services to business, commercial and aviation customers around the world. Honeywell is developing and distributing the on-board hardware to enable users to connect to Inmarsat's Global Xpress (GX) Aviation network, a high speed Ka-band system.

"The combination of field experience and innovative technology was a critical factor in our selection of Wavestream's Ka-band transceivers for integration into our Global Xpress antenna system," said Chris Webster, Senior Subcontracts Manager at Honeywell Aerospace.

"We look forward to working closely with Wavestream in the integration and implementation of their transceivers into our on-board hardware in support of this project."

Wavestream is an industry leader in the development and worldwide deployment of BUCs and amplifiers for use in military and commercial satellite communications applications. Wavestream's Ka-band products have been successfully used in defense satellite systems, with over 5,000 deployed worldwide in just the last three years.

"Wavestream is an established vendor in the aviation market and is well positioned to support the rapidly growing in-flight market," said Francis Auricchio, CEO of Wavestream.

"We are excited with the opportunity to work with Honeywell and to play an integral part in enabling airlines to improve passenger experience and generate additional revenues from the Global Xpress Aviation network."

Based on the company's patented Spatial advantEdge technology, Wavestream's Ka-band product family provides high output power, greater efficiency and field-proven reliability in smaller, lighter weight product packages suitable for fixed, mobile, and flyaway antenna systems.

Each product is designed and thoroughly tested for use in extreme environments, helping provide uninterrupted connectivity to support mission-critical defense operations as well as demanding consumer broadband applications.

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