Press Release

Issued by Thales Group.

November 1, 2016

Today at the NBAA Exhibition, Thales, a leading provider of flight deck avionics and passenger connectivity solutions, announced the expansion of its global aviation connectivity offering with FlytLINK. This offer ensures that Thales has the most comprehensive suite of aviation connectivity solutions serving the entire ecosystem.

FlytLINK will provide dedicated satellite-based communications capabilities primarily aimed at connecting aircraft cockpit and crew operations. With FlytLINK, customers can now receive an optimized solution that connects the front of their aircraft without relying on ad-hoc network solutions.

The solution will deliver essential communications for enhanced safety features and critical operations ensuring that customers have the most reliable capabilities for their aircraft's safety-critical domain. It has been purpose-built with network security in mind to meet the unique challenges of the aviation community and it can be equipped on all aviation platforms, including commercial transport, business jets, rotorcraft, UAS and military applications.

FlytLINK, enabled by Iridium Certus, is expected to be the first of the product line offering available to aviation customers and it will operate using broadband services over the Iridium NEXT constellation of 66 satellites that cover 100% of the globe, including poles and oceans. Thales is currently targeting product availability in line with Iridium Certus' full service deployment schedule which is anticipated for completion in 2018.

The Iridium enabled FlytLINK solution provides highly reliable, mobile and essential voice, text and Internet communications. Its safety features include optional flight data streaming, Push-to-Talk voice, ACARS and other embedded safety services. Operationally, it enhances in-air reporting, service logging, flight crew scheduling, aircraft monitoring and other operational service needs. It also supports electronic flight bag pairing, real-time weather, active aircraft tracking, secure pilot and crew Wi-Fi access and enhanced calling.

The FlytLINK product offering will be available to customers with different service provider packages in the future.