[Satellite Today 06-17-09] Cobham received a contract from Airbus to supply high-gain satellite antennas for use on single-aisle and long-range A320 passenger jets, the company announced June 16.

    The HGA-7001 antenna will enable long-range communications between air traffic control and the flight deck. The antenna supports Inmarsat services for cabin applications, including internet, virtual private networks, e-mail and telephone. The high-gain antenna complies with Inmarsat SwiftBroadband inter-modulation suppression specification.

    "The selection of our high-gain satellite antennas by Airbus, following a rigorous evaluation and selection process, is a further endorsement of our leading-edge technology. It is the smallest in its class, reducing drag and fuel consumption and consolidates our position as the market leader for [satellite communications] antennas,” Cobham Chief Executive Allan Cook said in a statement.