Key Takeaways
• Gilat’s ESR-2030Ku antenna achieved 195 Mbps downlink and 32 Mbps uplink in real-world aviation test flights.
• Gogo is the exclusive distributor for the ESR-2030Ku antenna in business aviation and defense markets.
• Production delivery is targeted for 2025, supporting Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) compliance for aircraft installation.
Gilat has taken a strong step forward in the world of aviation connectivity, announcing it has successfully completed a series of test flights for its new ESR-2030Ku antenna. This antenna is an electronically steered antenna (ESA), a type that relies on advanced electronics rather than moving parts to direct signals, making it both quick and reliable. The recent tests, performed in partnership with Gogo, showcased the antenna’s abilities on the Eutelsat OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network. This new step hints at better internet experiences for people flying in planes and major changes in how the aviation industry stays connected, even when soaring over remote places on Earth.
A Closer Look at the ESA Antenna Test Flights
The heart of the news is Gilat’s ESR-2030Ku antenna and its outstanding performance during test flights. The tests were carried out in real-world settings meant to push the equipment and ensure it can handle the challenges found during actual flight operations. The ESR-2030Ku is specially designed for mobile platforms, where both stable connectivity and efficiency must be balanced with size and power needs. These flight tests set out to prove that Gilat’s technology really meets the demanding needs of today’s aviation customers.
Key results from the testing include:
- The antenna delivered full-duplex connectivity. This means it could send and receive data at the same time—a very important feature for reliable communication.
- The throughput reached 195 Mbps for downloads (downlink) and 32 Mbps for uploads (uplink). These are strong numbers, especially considering they were achieved in the tough conditions of flight.
- The connection remained stable and reliable throughout all phases of the testing, showing the system is built for real-life aviation use.
- ESR-2030Ku is designed to be both compact and low power. Because of this, it is especially well-suited for the OneWeb LEO network, which is built on a large group of fast-moving satellites close to Earth.
Hagay Katz, who is the Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Gilat, summed up the company’s feeling about these achievements. “We are extremely pleased with the results of these flight tests. With the superior performance of the ESR-2030Ku, we are expanding our portfolio of market-leading electronically steered antennas,” he said. These words speak to both satisfaction with current progress and plans for future growth.
Why This Matters: The Changing Market for Aviation Connectivity
Gilat’s successful demonstration means more than just a technical step forward. It marks a strong position in what is becoming a very busy market for LEO-based ESA solutions in aviation and defense. Let’s break down the main reasons:
- The aviation and defense industries are looking for better, faster, and more reliable ways to keep planes, crews, and sometimes passengers linked to the world below.
- Old systems based on geostationary (GEO) satellites—those high above the Earth—can’t provide the speed and reach that airlines and the defense sector want today.
- The ESR-2030Ku antenna is joining Gilat’s growing group of products, which already includes another device called the Stellar Blu Sidewinder antenna. By adding this new ESA, Gilat can offer several options to meet the needs of customers with different requirements.
One major business move coming out of this announcement is the partnership with Gogo. Gogo will be the only company allowed to distribute the ESR-2030Ku antenna for business aviation and defense markets. This exclusivity gives Gogo and Gilat a strong business advantage, letting them focus on high-value customers and markets that stand to benefit most from new connectivity solutions.
Looking ahead, Gilat expects to start delivering its production hardware in 2025. These units will support customers in getting their Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs). STCs are official documents that prove a new device or system is approved for use on certain types of aircraft. So, Gilat’s timeline matches the long process airlines and aviation partners must follow before new technology can be widely installed.
The Role of OneWeb LEO Network for Aviation
Much of Gilat’s success is tied to the performance and availability of the OneWeb LEO network. This network stands apart from others because instead of using a few satellites far away from the planet (geostationary), it relies on hundreds of smaller satellites much closer to Earth.
What does the OneWeb LEO network bring to aviation?
- High-Speed, Low-Latency Connectivity: Unlike the slower, higher-latency connections of traditional satellite internet, the OneWeb LEO network offers speeds and response times similar to what you’d expect from the internet on the ground. This difference is very important for people who want to use video calls, stream movies, or play games during a flight.
- Expansive Coverage: The OneWeb constellation has 588 active satellites, with backups in place, all circling at about 1,200 kilometers above Earth. Because the satellites are always moving and there are so many of them, they can provide internet almost anywhere—including over polar areas and wide ocean spaces where planes usually have no coverage.
- Better Passenger Experience: With this kind of network, applications for work and fun simply work better. That means fewer delays when starting a video, fewer dropped calls, and a much more enjoyable online experience while flying at 35,000 feet.
Earlier this year, Eutelsat made another big announcement: its OneWeb LEO services for commercial and business aviation are not only available—they are already in use, with over 100 certified antenna installations completed. Eutelsat’s approach is based on working closely with other firms, including Intelsat, Hughes, and Panasonic Avionics. By combining skills and technology from various teams, Eutelsat aims to offer customers the best possible mix of LEO and multi-orbit solutions.
Gilat’s ESR-2030Ku antenna fits perfectly into this bigger system, making it easier for airlines and aviation partners to bring these new benefits to their fleets.
The Broader Impact: How Gilat’s Test Results Might Shape the Industry
When one company proves that high-speed, low-latency connections are possible in flight with equipment that is both efficient and compact, it sets a new standard for others. Gilat’s successful collaboration with Gogo and the positive ESR-2030Ku test flights are likely to influence several different groups and trends within aviation and satellite communications:
Airlines and Business Aviation
For airlines—whether flying large passenger jets or smaller business aircraft—reliable high-speed internet is becoming a “must have” rather than a luxury. Customers expect to stay connected for work and fun. Airlines stand to gain from increasing satisfaction (and possibly new income) by accepting these next-generation solutions. Business aviation, in particular, benefits because executives often need smooth internet access to hold meetings or send files while traveling.
Military and Defense
The defense industry also has special needs, often requiring secure and quick communication between planes and ground teams. A robust ESA designed for LEO networks means defense officials can rely on steady connections even in areas where old systems struggled, such as above the poles or far out at sea. With modern threats demanding quick decision-making, even small improvements in communication speed and coverage are important.
The Equipment and Technology Market
By setting a new standard with its ESR-2030Ku, Gilat is helping push the technology landscape forward. Competitors will look for ways to match or improve on these achievements. Customers, in turn, will benefit from more choices and better products as the technology race continues.
Satellite Providers
The success of Gilat’s antenna brings attention to the strengths of the OneWeb LEO network—a service that relies on massive investments and careful planning. Other providers might use these results to improve their own services or explore new ways to combine LEO, geostationary, and perhaps even advanced ground-based networks to meet every possible customer need.
Addressing Possible Concerns and Open Questions
As with any big leap in technology, some observers may have questions or concerns about cost, rollout speed, and reliability. While the test flights are a big proof point for Gilat, turning these promising results into large-scale commercial deployment takes careful planning and steady support from industry partners. The timeline for production hardware—pointing to 2025—means that passengers and airline staff shouldn’t expect to see these new antennas everywhere overnight.
Another important point to note is that, even though the OneWeb LEO network offers lower latency and broad coverage, it takes a complex dance between satellites, ground stations, and antenna hardware to keep everything running smoothly at all times. Installation on airplanes also requires meeting very strict rules and checks to ensure safety.
Gilat, alongside Gogo, seems prepared to address these challenges. By moving forward with Supplemental Type Certificate support and production scaling plans, they’re working to make sure safety, compatibility, and reliability stay at the forefront.
How Gilat’s Progress Aligns with Larger Trends
Gilat’s push into ESA antennas for aviation comes at a time when the broader connectivity market is changing quickly:
- Passengers expect smooth, always-on internet from boarding to landing, no matter the route.
- Airlines want the best mix of efficiency, reliability, and cost control, pushing suppliers to offer more—sometimes partnering with satellite and service providers like Intelsat, Hughes, and Panasonic Avionics.
- Regulators and aviation authorities require any technology added to planes to pass strict safety and compatibility tests, which means only the best products—and teams—will succeed.
- The global demand for flight—both for business and leisure—remains strong, putting even more pressure on airlines and tech companies to keep up with expectations.
In this busy world, Gilat’s demonstration of a working ESR-2030Ku antenna on the OneWeb LEO network is more than a technical story; it shows real readiness to meet new market challenges head-on.
Where You Can Learn More
Anyone interested in the official process for approving and installing antennas and other modifications on aircraft, or who wants to understand how aviation regulations work, can find more information through the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) page. Here, you can read about the rules and steps needed before new technology like Gilat’s antenna can be installed on planes.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Gilat, ESA Antennas, and the OneWeb LEO Network?
With the successful completion of these flight tests, Gilat is ready to supply hardware that holds up in real-world situations. As production hardware starts rolling out to help airlines and defense customers secure their STCs in 2025, the stage is set for a new era in aviation connectivity.
Eutelsat’s choice to work with partners, large-scale testing, and the quick setup of working antenna installations show that the race to deliver high-quality in-flight internet is well underway. More airlines and business jet operators are likely to adopt these new systems, possibly giving rise to new ways passengers and crew connect and work during flights.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these advancements highlight the strong move toward seamless, reliable, high-speed connectivity no matter where you are in the sky. The combination of Gilat’s engineering expertise, Gogo’s exclusive distribution, and the far-reaching coverage of the OneWeb LEO network points to a future where flying means you are just as connected as you are on the ground.
In summary, Gilat’s tested and proven ESR-2030Ku antenna, working alongside the OneWeb LEO network and a group of industry partners, is helping shape the next chapter in global aviation connectivity. With more people expecting strong and reliable internet while traveling, and with business and defense sectors demanding ever-better tools, the results from these flight tests are not just a technical success—they are a signal of how rapidly the world of aviation is changing, one innovation at a time.
Learn Today
Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) → Antenna type that uses advanced electronics, not moving parts, to steer signals for faster, reliable connectivity.
OneWeb LEO Network → A satellite network of over 588 satellites in low Earth orbit, providing global, high-speed internet coverage for aviation.
Full-Duplex Connectivity → A communication capability that allows devices to send and receive data simultaneously, enhancing reliability and speed.
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) → An official approval from aviation authorities for modifications or new equipment, such as antennas, on aircraft.
Throughput → The amount of data sent or received over a network, measured in megabits per second (Mbps), indicating speed performance.
This Article in a Nutshell
Gilat has advanced aviation connectivity with its ESR-2030Ku antenna, showcasing real-world test success on the OneWeb LEO network. With high-speed, reliable internet achieved mid-flight and exclusive Gogo distribution, Gilat positions itself to revolutionize the in-flight experience as production hardware becomes available and industry standards evolve by 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
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