737 Max

Boeing has signed a contract with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems to produce a new radome, the Boeing Tri-band, which will advance its suite of connectivity offerings.

A radome, which combines radar and dome, is a weatherproof structure that protects an aircraft’s antenna to enable reliable satellite communications.

The Boeing Tri-band radome will support Ku and K/Ka wideband commercial and military satellite communications.

It is planned for use as a line-fit option on Boeing 737s, 747s, 777s and 787 Dreamliners, and will also be available for retrofit.

It will be available for both retrofit and production airplane installation in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The Boeing Tri-band radome will offer safe and reliable passenger services, such as in-flight use for cell phones, internet access via Wi-Fi connectivity and live satellite television broadcasts.

It has a maximum weight of 80lb and is approximately the size of a car-top luggage carrier.

It is compatible with antennas from multiple manufacturers and with data services from all current providers, offering more passenger connectivity choices for Boeing airplane operators.

The new design is based on Boeing’s proven Ku-band radome design. It has been designed to exceed current Ku-band radome performance and also provides industry-leading performance for Ka-band operators, the company said.

"This Ku/K/Ka tri-band system will offer the flying public better in-flight entertainment and connectivity over current single band Ku systems."

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales vice-president Rick Anderson said: "Airlines are telling us that the Boeing Tri-band’s affordability, flexibility, wide range of capability and compatibility with all current data services make it ideal for their Boeing fleets, which have to quickly and economically adopt new technology to better serve passengers."

The radomes will be supplied by General Dynamics.

Advanced Materials for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems vice-president and general manager Jim Losse said: "This Ku/K/Ka tri-band system will offer the flying public better in-flight entertainment and connectivity over current single band Ku systems."

The Tri-band radome can be mounted on new or existing airplane mounting plates and supports satellite communications at all frequencies currently used and planned for use, in the Ku-band and extended K and Ka-bands.

It will meet all FAA environmental and safety requirements, including the recently revised FAA regulations for bird strike survivability.

Image: The Boeing Tri-band radome is planned for use as a line-fit option on Boeing 737s, 747s, 777s and 787 Dreamliners. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.