Boeing to offer Gilat Sidewinder as line-fit option

Boeing and Gilat have reached a milestone that will make Gilat's Sidewinder electronically steered antenna available as a line-fit option for in-flight connectivity service providers. The agreement focuses on offering the multi-orbit terminal during aircraft production.

Boeing will provide line-fit Sidewinder installation through in-flight connectivity integration partners, allowing service providers to have the equipment installed during assembly rather than through later retrofit work.

Line-fit installation is closely watched in the in-flight connectivity market because airlines and service providers have long relied on retrofit programmes to add broadband systems after delivery. Installing equipment before an aircraft enters service can shorten deployment timelines and avoid taking aircraft out of operation later for major cabin and fuselage work.

Sidewinder uses a compact electronically steered antenna design that simplifies installation, reduces long-term maintenance needs and removes the cost and downtime associated with retrofit programmes.

The move also reflects a push towards more open supplier models in the aviation connectivity sector. Gilat said the Sidewinder offer is based on an open model without lock-in for in-flight connectivity service providers, a potentially important point in a market where airlines, satellite operators and hardware providers often enter long-term arrangements with tightly defined equipment choices.

Open model

Rather than tying an airline to a single network structure, multi-orbit systems are designed to work across more than one type of satellite orbit. In aviation, that can give service providers more flexibility in building coverage and managing bandwidth, particularly as demand for onboard internet access grows for both passenger and operational use.

Boeing's decision to offer Sidewinder as a line-fit installation could broaden the route to market for Gilat's aviation hardware. Aircraft manufacturers have significant influence over which systems are available at the factory, and securing that status can help suppliers reach connectivity providers earlier in the aircraft procurement cycle.

The arrangement is aimed at in-flight connectivity service providers rather than direct airline sales. Those providers typically combine antenna hardware, satellite capacity, network management and airline service agreements into a single package for commercial aircraft operators.

For airlines, the commercial appeal of a line-fit option often comes down to aircraft availability and installation planning. Retrofit projects can require aircraft to be taken out of service, while a factory-installed system can enter operation as part of the aircraft's initial delivery configuration.

Gilat also said the system is intended to support growing onboard connectivity demand. Airlines are under pressure to improve passenger internet access while also supporting cockpit and operational data links, increasing demand for systems that can handle heavier data use across fleets.

Aviation focus

Sidewinder is part of Gilat's broader push into mobility and aerospace communications. The company is known for satellite networking equipment and services across commercial and defence markets, and in-flight connectivity has become an increasingly competitive segment as airlines seek faster, more reliable broadband options.

Electronically steered antennas are drawing interest across aviation because they can offer a flatter form factor than mechanically steered systems. That can affect installation, aerodynamic profile and maintenance planning, although adoption has depended on certification progress, production economics and access to aircraft manufacturer channels.

The line-fit milestone indicates progress in certifying the Sidewinder platform for use in Boeing's production environment. Certification and integration are key steps before any aircraft system can be offered as a standard or optional fit on new aircraft.

"Partnering with Boeing for this line-fit program is a true honor and reflects our focus on bringing advanced connectivity solutions to the aviation market," said Ron Levin, president of Gilat's commercial division.

He added: "Sidewinder stands out as the industry's leading multi-orbit ESA terminal, and we are proud to be certifying it for line-fit for IFC Service Providers."