Nova Systems has selected wireless air-ground communications system AeroSync Max for more than 20 additional installations on its airborne C4ISR mission systems solution for Leonardo AW139 and AW189 and Sikorsky S-92 European SAR helicopters. It has also chosen SkyTrac to provide mission-critical satcom solutions in support of a series of Leonardo helicopter-supported European Coast Guard programmes.

Astronautics Corporation of America's AeroSync Max acts as a secure data gateway that within seconds captures, filters and converts mission system data into data formatted for the aircraft's flight management system (FMS), acting as a secure pipeline towards the FMS. Similarly, AeroSync Max acts as an avionics data gateway between surveillance equipment and the mission system.

"Astronautics is proud to continue supporting Nova Systems with a tailored AeroSync Max solution that enhances mission capabilities for the C4ISR system on Leonardo AW139/189 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters," says Matt Frei, Astronautics' director of connected aircraft solutions. "The AeroSync Max will provide critical and timely mission data and security needed to support life-saving SAR efforts."

Astronautics and Nova Systems first partnered on an airborne C4ISR mission system solution for operational service with Leonardo AW139 helicopters deployed on a SAR and airborne law enforcement role with a European customer.

Nova is also providing next-gen mission solutions on aircraft operating for multiple Coast Guard programmes that streamline SAR capabilities for multiple aircraft, including AW189 and AW139 helicopters. Its upgraded mission system includes SkyTrac's SDL-350 satcom system and MTC-100 control unit, enabling the next-gen satcom capabilities.

The integration, which Nova Systems will complete on behalf of its client, features SkyTrac's SDL-350 Iridium Certus broadband satcom system and its MTC-100 touchscreen control unit. This new system provides critical connectivity for the various mission systems aboard AW139 and AW189 aircraft.

"At Nova Systems, we are always looking for ways to help meet our client's needs by incorporating leading-edge technology into their systems, and SkyTrac's SDL-350 provided us a great opportunity to do so," says general manager of aerospace integration Ronnie Trasler. "The powerful capabilities the SDL-350 enables are a wonderful fit for this mission."

The SDL-350 is SkyTrac's flagship Iridium Certus broadband system, which boasts global satellite connectivity with speeds up to 704Kbps downlink and 352Kbps uplink, as well as 4G LTE cellular connectivity. The SDL-350 will utilise these powerful capabilities to provide automated flight following, Iridium push-to-talk, EO/IR video transmission and Iridium Certus broadband internet connectivity. This system will provide onboard mission computers, crew devices and supporting equipment with reliable internet connectivity supporting Coast Guard search and rescue operations.

SkyTrac's continued development of the SDL-350 is currently underway, with planned support for real-time flight data monitoring and real-time health and usage monitoring. These features can wirelessly offload data post-flight and provide real-time in-flight notifications of exceedances or anomalies. Introducing these new capabilities will allow customers to meet the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers 690 standards for offshore helicopter operations.

"We are proud to be able to support this programme and work alongside Nova Systems to provide next-generation mission systems for multiple programmes," says director of business development Jeff Sherwood. "The SDL-350 provides unmatched performance and mission-critical connectivity for rotorcraft operators involved in Coast Guard and SAR operations."