Collins Satellite Link in Dassault Falcon 900 First

Announced by Rockwell Collins on the opening day of the convention was the first installation of its high-speed data communications system. Michigan-based Pentastar, an authorized Collins dealer, is installing the HST-900 high-speed transceiver on a Dassault Falcon 900EX, with completion scheduled for later this month.

Designed for simple integration with Collins SAT-906 satellite communications system, the 2MCU, 8.5-pound HST-900 provides 64 kilobits per second connectivity, enabling airborne Internet/e-mail access. On the Falcon 900EX installation, the HST-900 will interface with the aircraft's existing SAT-906 and EMS Technologies AMT-50 Aero H/H high-gain antenna.

Additionally, the HST-900 is equipped with Ethernet, ISDN and RS-232 interfaces for maximum flexibility and permits simultaneous use of high-speed datalink and Aero H/H+ services through a 60-watt, high-power amplifier. Once installed, the HST-900 can be upgraded for new generations of high-speed datalink without affecting SAT-906 functionality.