Boeing and the US Navy have successfully completed an in-flight demonstration of a satellite communications (SATCOM) system that, if implemented, will enable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews to conduct two-way, secure voice and data communications with other SATCOM-enabled aircraft, ships, ground forces and command centres.

The test took place at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Advanced Weapons Lab at China Lake, California, and was conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31. The SATCOM system was installed on a Navy EA-18G Growler—a variant of the F/A-18F that includes a SATCOM antenna.

During the flight testing, the VX-31 aircrew conducted satellite- enabled secure voice and data transmissions with a groundbased team at China Lake and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

“Using the existing EA-18G architecture allowed Boeing and the Navy to demonstrate this capability less than 90 days after the initial request,” said Mike Gibbons, Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18 Programmes Vice President. “This approach significantly reduced risk, cost and testing schedule, while demonstrating this important communications capability for the Navy.”