The Edinburgh based Sofant Technologies, a leading innovator in advanced antenna technologies, and Inmarsat Government, the leading provider of secure, global, mission-critical telecommunications to the U.S. Government, are pleased to announce a joint development aimed at revolutionising the communication capabilities of aircraft.

Together, the two companies will collaborate on a state-of-the-art phased array antenna designed to enhance connectivity, reliability, and performance in airborne operations.

The collaboration will combine their respective expertise to develop an innovative solution that addresses the Government airborne users’ growing demand for efficient, low-profile communication systems.

The new phased array antenna will leverage Sofant’s core technology to produce a compact, lightweight, and low-power terminal, which will enable reliable, seamless high-speed global coverage on a wider range of aircraft through Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) network, the world’s first and only high-throughput commercial wideband network available worldwide. 

This includes seamless switching on the GX commercial network’s global service beams and Inmarsat’s high-capacity, global military Ka-band (Mil Ka) network’s steerable beams.

David Wither, CEO, Sofant Technologies, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Inmarsat Government on this development program. By leveraging our leading-edge antenna technology, we aim to deliver a transformative solution that will redefine communication capabilities for airborne platforms. 

This collaboration aligns with our vision of revolutionising connectivity in the aerospace industry and beyond. We are confident that our joint efforts will yield exceptional results.”

Steve Gizinski, President, Inmarsat Government, said: “We are dedicated to providing cutting-edge communication solutions that empower our customers to excel in their missions. Collaborating with Sofant Technologies allows us to push the boundaries of innovation further, and together, we will develop a phased array antenna that sets new industry standards. 

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in meeting the Government’s growing demand for secure and reliable connectivity worldwide.”

The development collaboration between Sofant Technologies and Inmarsat Government underscores their commitment to driving advancements in airborne communication technology. By combining their strengths and expertise, they are poised to reshape the future of connectivity for airborne platforms, ensuring safer and more efficient operations in the sky.