International Workboat Show 2015, New Orleans - Size counts for Cobham SATCOM this December as it brings SAILOR 60 GX, a new super-light and compact Ka-band VSAT antenna, to Workboat 2015 (booth #3533). Cobham SATCOM has achieved the perfect balance between size and connectivity performance with this unique new 60cm antenna system designed for Inmarsat's new Fleet Xpress service, which from early 2016 will provide workboat owners with a new high-speed broadband option for operational and crew communication.

Weighing just 82 lbs/37 kg SAILOR 60 GX user terminal features one of the lightest Ka-band antennas and boasts leading radio performance to ensure a reliable link to the satellite and more availability of communication services. For workboats and offshore vessels with space restrictions a new SAILOR 60 GX combined with a SAILOR FleetBroadband system is the perfect on board hardware platform for Inmarsat's game-changing new maritime multi-band satcom service.

A key advantage of SAILOR 60 GX's small size and low weight is the ability to reduce installation time and costs, which could lead to better value monthly service subscriptions. It is also likely that vessels with existing FleetBroadband antennas will experience more value as they already have a core component of Fleet Xpress on board, making SAILOR the ideal companion for workboat operators aiming to achieve optimal ROI on maritime broadband.

"With thousands of SAILOR FleetBroadband systems operating in the Gulf of Mexico and other North and South American offshore locations, many workboat owners have a head start when considering a move to Fleet Xpress next year," said Sam McKee, Senior Sales Manager Americas, Cobham SATCOM. "SAILOR 60 GX and SAILOR FleetBroadband systems both terminate in the Network Service Device for out-of-band management, ensuring smooth operation for all parties from Inmarsat, to third party service providers and end users."    

SAILOR 60 GX will enable more workboats to operate smarter through harnessing the power of Inmarsat Fleet Xpress, by enabling significant data sharing capabilities and the drive towards smart operations. The optimal size/performance balance of SAILOR 60 GX is possible because Inmarsat Global Xpress satellites use spot beams instead of wide beams, so with advanced engineering and software design, antenna size is becoming less relevant and they can operate anywhere in the satellite footprint and provide a strong link.

Though based on an advanced new lightweight carbon fibre composites/aluminium design, SAILOR 60 GX retains the same performance and installation benefit that has established SAILOR VSAT antennas as clear technology leaders. Innovations include precision reflector dishes, Direct Motor Drives and the use of a single cable between antenna and below deck equipment for RF, power and data, Automatic Azimuth Calibration and Automatic Cable Calibration.

Additionally, as a world's first for satcom terminals, SAILOR 60 GX operates with triple-play positioning - Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for GPS, Glonass and BeiDou, making it relevant for markets that demand a specific GNSS service is used. The required GNSS service or combination of services can be configured easily from with the SAILOR 60 GX system itself.

SAILOR 60 GX comes pre-configured for Fleet Xpress and features 'one touch commissioning', meaning that during installation it can be online in seconds with no requirement to contact the Network Operations Centre (NOC). Additionally, the use of Dynamic Motor Brakes inside the antenna removes the requirement for mechanical brake straps, ensuring antenna balance in no-power situations at sea or during transport.

"The spot-beam architecture of Inmarsat Global Xpress encourages smaller reflector dish sizes and therefore reduces the size and weight of the antenna. By reducing the cost and complexity of installation and enabling the best RF performance, we are opening the door for a more diverse maritime VSAT market, especially for those smaller professional vessels that would benefit from enhanced communication capabilities that were not available to them before SAILOR 60 GX and Fleet Xpress arrived on the scene," says Jens Ewerling, Director, Maritime Broadband, Cobham SATCOM.

About Cobham SATCOM

Providing dependable communications and internet access anywhere under the most demanding conditions.

Our satellite and radio communication terminals perform in the most challenging and remote environments on land, at sea and in the air.

We design and manufacture these high performance products under the AVIATOR, EXPLORER, SAILOR and Sea Tel brands providing customers with outstanding performance, value and support through our global sales and service network.

About Cobham

The most important thing we build is trust.

We protect lives and livelihoods with our differentiated technology and know-how, operating with a deep insight into customer needs and agility. Our innovative range of technologies and services solve challenging problems in harsh environments across commercial, defence and security markets, from deep space to the depths of the ocean, specialising in meeting the growing demand for data, connectivity and bandwidth.

We employ more than 12,000 people on five continents, and have customers and partners in over 100 countries, with market leading positions in: wireless, audio, video and data communications, including satellite communications; defence electronics; air-to-air refuelling; aviation services; life support and mission equipment.

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