Cobham to supply satellite antenna for Emirates Airlines' connectivity upgrade programme
The airline plans to retrofit more than 50 of its B777 aircraft with the Cobham antenna sub-system, enabling SATCOM connectivity for cabin and cockpit. Emirates Airline has already selected the Cobham HGA-7001 for its new production B777s, of which 37 are in active service, and a further 96 are expected to enter service over the next nine years.
Fred Cahill, vice president of Cobham Antenna Systems said: “This is a landmark opportunity for Cobham in the retrofit market, and we are delighted to be working with Emirates Airline."
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Airline Executive Vice President Engineering and Operations, in charge of the antenna selection process, said: “Providing Swift Broadband connectivity on board our B777 aircraft is part of a major retrofit programme for Emirates.
“We selected the Cobham antenna due to its superior technical performance and light weight, low drag characteristics. We look forward to working with Cobham on this opportunity.”
Cobham is developing a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to enable the HGA-7001 to be retrofitted to the B777.
Other STCs are in progress to certify the Cobham antenna sub-system for retrofit on a range of aircraft platforms.
Cobham SATCOM equipment has been certified for forward fit new production aircraft on Boeing platforms: 737, 747, 777, Airbus A320 family, and A330/A340. Airbus A400M and A380 certification is expected to be completed later this year. Cobham has also been selected as standard fit aboard the 787 and A350. Cobham’s HGA-7001 SATCOM antenna sub-system has been selected by more than 20 airlines.
