Boeing and ThinKom Complete High-Bandwidth Satellite Connectivity for Military Demo

ThinKom Solutions, Inc. (ThinKom) and Boeing have successfully demonstrated the integration of ThinKom’s ThinAir® GT 2517 antenna with advanced modem hardware, showcasing unrivaled network performance tailored for government customers. The joint demonstration highlights cutting-edge advancements that deliver secure, high-throughput connectivity essential for critical government operations.

Cutting-Edge System Demonstration

The test configuration integrated ThinKom’s flagship special mission antenna with Boeing’s WC-5000RU modem and the Newtec MDM5010 modem, creating a customer-specific setup.

Government officials witnessed a wide range of operational trials, including:

• High-definition video streaming

• High-speed file transfers

• System resilience under link interruptions and outages

A Future-Proof Communication Solution

“Support for multi-constellation, multi-orbit communications is now a requirement, not an option, and our ThinAir GT product line is the perfect solution. Combining our GT solutions with leading technology partners like Boeing’s modems and services delivers the best performance today while maintaining optionality to work with the next generation of commercial as well as protected satellite networks.” - Bill Milroy, ThinKom’s Chief Technology officer and Co-Founder

Demonstrating Compatibility Across Networks

The test utilized Viasat’s GX Ka-band satellite network, leveraging its HCX steerable beams and Military Ka-band frequencies, demonstrating compatibility across the full spectrum of communications channels. Additionally, performance was validated across a broad range of antenna elevation angles, simulating real-world conditions such as banking maneuvers critical in airborne missions.

The system demonstrated impressive throughput capabilities, achieving more than 250 Mbps on the forward link and 110 Mbps on the return link during ground-based tests.

Performance is expected to be even higher during airborne deployment, making the solution ideal for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications requiring reliable, high-throughput bidirectional communication.

“Our customers demand reliability and performance, without exception. By combining our fully managed multi-orbit satellite capacity with ThinKom’s GT 2517 antenna, we can offer a secure and scalable military-grade solution that is responsive to dynamic mission needs, under any conditions.” - Jeof McAllister, Vice President of Boeing Commercial Satellite Services

Advanced Features and Security

The integrated terminal deployment comes with advanced features that enhance functionality and security, including:

• DVB-S2X with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM)

• Encryption and traffic shaping

• Larger channel sizes for increased throughput

• Enhanced emission controls supporting anti-jam capabilities, including low probability of intercept and detection

Certification and Compatibility

ThinKom’s GT 2517 antenna is fully compatible with Viasat’s HCX service, with ongoing Category 4 Type Approval certification and Category 1 Type Approval for Viasat’s GX service. The system is also designed to be certifiable under Army Forces Strategic Command standards for Wideband Global SATCOM communications.

With this successful demonstration, ThinKom and Boeing have reaffirmed their leadership in delivering reliable, secure, and high-performance communication solutions, setting a new benchmark for government connectivity.

About ThinKom Solutions Inc.

ThinKom Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of ultra-low-profile broadband antenna solutions for government and military aviation applications. The ThinAir® GT product line supports X-, Ku-, Ka-, Q-, and V-band connectivity across various mission profiles, from small executive transport aircraft to large cargo planes. Its antennas offer high spectral efficiency and throughput within a low-drag design, ensuring fuel savings and extended operational range. ThinKom’s patented solutions are trusted globally for mission-critical government applications.