Connected Aerospace

​From in-flight internet access for passengers through to preventing unauthorised access to logistics networks, the cybersecurity challenges facing aviation are as varied as they are difficult to guard against.

As Gogo continues the rollout of its latest satellite-based inflight internet technology, it is also working to upgrade its air-to-ground system with faster speeds.

Inmarsat still expects the European Aviation Network (EAN) to be operational by the end of the year, despite an attempt by rival satellite operators to block it.

Siemens President/CEO Tony Hemmelgarn weighs in on smart airplanes, 3D printing, cybersecurity and the gaps in IoT.

In announcing last month a high throughput satellite service for business aviation, Gogo Business Aviation is expanding its broadband connectivity to become a true global provider.

“The next few months may be rather stressful for most deal-makers in the A&D sector,” say some who should know.

A new regulation addresses cybersecurity at defense primes and their suppliers, or better yet, the lack thereof, which has led to problems in the past.

High-bandwidth connectivity inside aircraft and between aircraft and the ground is driving the need to add sensing to systems and share the data.

Airservices Australia is looking to Aireon’s space-based ADS-B as the next evolution in air-traffic control surveillance.

Air traffic management optimization looks like low-hanging fruit for fuel efficiency, given the results of recent extended arrival management tests in Europe.

As airliner connectivity broadens to benefit passengers, a cybersecurity threat may be opening to more crucial aircraft systems.

Inflight Internet provider Gogo said it is working with Delta Air Lines to provide wireless seatback inflight entertainment (IFE) on the airline’s new Bombardier C Series aircraft, provided via mounted tablets.

Environmental responsibility is part of business aviation and is shown by the reduction in engine emissions realized by the growing use of flight simulators for pilot training rather than by deploying the actual aircraft.

Honeywell has launched a commercial infrastructure inspection service using Intel's Falcon 8+ industrial drone.

Inmarsat signed a strategic agreement with Rockwell Collins for the global distribution of its next-generation SwiftBroadband-Safety flight deck connectivity technology.

European Aviation Network to begin commercial service on a British Airways Airbus A321 later this year with service that uses ground and space-based assets.

There is virtually no overlap between the two companies, and OEMs may seek commercial concessions but are unlikely to block the transaction.

In this week's Washington Outlook: Lawmakers pounce on inspector’s findings regarding FAA’s next-gen ATC modernization program; Congress makes a deal to keep the government open; and a view of why it is so hard to buy military space gear.

Advanced human-machine interfaces and new technologies are set to make ATC workstations as jaw-dropping as the newest flight decks, if not more so.

The next phase of Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777-300ER retrofit program will allow the carrier to begin the introduction of its onboard Wi-Fi service.

With the introduction of nearly every technological advance in aircraft, unintended consequences have come along for the ride.

Super-smooth touchscreen control, unique human-machine interfaces and connections to “open world” applications highlight Thales’ new flight deck.

Avionics used to be closed systems, but the coming of broadband connectivity on board has prompted a rebirth of new architectures to reap the benefits of an open system.

Cyprus-based airline Cobalt Air plans to fit its fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft with an onboard Wi-Fi system to allow passengers to download content onto their personal electronic devices.

Tighter regulations for carry-on electronic devices provide an opportunity for manufacturers of carry-on baggage scanners.