Outerlink partners with MCSO

According to MCSO Aviation Unit Commander Darren Bruner, the department ‘agreed to let Outerlink use our newest 407’ to achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certification (STC) after it ‘exceeded our expectations’ when trialing the product.

Outerlink’s Air IP system can deliver high-definition video from helicopter to ground with a half-second delay, as well as simultaneously streaming data and video from the internet.

“We have a long history of developing aircraft satellite communication products and services,” said Outerlink VP Jeff Warner. “We are fully aware of satellite limitations for helicopters, so we decided to build a system that could keep the customers connected and provide them with a triple redundant bonded network that would minimize any loss of service or interruption during flight. The Air IP capability allows simultaneous video and data streaming to and from the helicopter. It has even allowed a customer to conduct an uninterrupted Zoom meeting during flight.”

Outerlink stated that the solution was developed to provide stability under average use – it noted that customer operational data showed an average of ‘five devices logged in, and an average of 7–20Mbps of bandwidth for the entire flight duration.

Outerlink plans to acquire additional STC-type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) in the near future.

Fellow downlink company Vislink recently received multiple orders for its airborne video downlink system from several North American law enforcement agencies.