SB-S

Immediate operational efficiencies

SB-S has been flying, retrofit, with select airlines for several years and now offers linefit positions on both Airbus and Boeing aircraft with lightweight terminals, small antenna and pioneering data packages. Providing up to 1.7mbps of safety-certified IP-connectivity, SB-S can help airlines realise operational efficiencies and cost savings today. And the service is constantly evolving, as new applications become available, ensuring that customers always have access to the latest technology. 

Cost saving operational applications

Taking airlines beyond traditional safety satcom, SB-S unlocks new cost efficiencies with real-time, data-rich applications for enhanced aircraft operations. The open platform provided by SB-S allows airlines to access a constantly evolving array of connected applications through our Aviaton Certified Application Provider (CAP) programme. According to the London School of Economics (LSE), these could save the airline industry up to $15 billion year from reduced fuel burn (2.5-5.0% of current fuel consumption), expedited maintenance (5-8% reduced turnaround time) and a massive $7-11 billion in delay-related costs.

Some example of areas where cost efficiencies can be made include:

• Offering support for real-time medical emergency applications, (telemedicine), such as remote diagnoses which can help to avoid medical diversions.
• Providing real-time graphic weather, allowing aircraft to adjust their course to avoid bad weather as it happens.
• Enabling predictive MRO, flight data monitoring, quality assurance, exceedance alerts and fuel use monitoring, which can help reduce delays and therefore reduce unplanned maintenance, fuel bills, and even offer the potential for real-time intervention in developing safety or security situations.

ATM modernisation and improved sustainability

SB-S is also the backbone of the ground-breaking Iris programme, a satellite-based communication system developed by Inmarsat in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). Iris brings secure, high bandwidth data link communications over Europe to modernise air traffic management.

Iris allows airlines to benefit from near real-time reporting of 4D trajectory optimisation, whereby aircraft accurately report latitude, longitude, altitude, true heading and ground speed. It’s one critical component of the Single European Skies ATM Research (SESAR) masterplan to alleviate airspace congestion, reduce flight times and delays, and enhance safety and security.

This will result in the industry saving billions, and importantly, significantly reducing its emissions footprint. Such ATM enhancements are predicted to reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions by 2-5% per flight, shrinking aviation’s carbon footprint globally.

Committed technology roadmap

SB-S is the first and only system of its kind. As a financially secure partner, our commitment to sustained investment means customers can rest assured that SB-S will continue to evolve to meet their needs. Our visionary, fully-funded technology roadmap includes two revolutionary new L-band payloads. These are scheduled to be launched from 2021 and will be the most powerful L-band payloads ever launched. 

Always innovating for customers 

Our 40-year heritage affords Inmarsat insight into the specific requirements of mobile customers, resulting in the network and service evolution strategy that is wholly customer-driven. We have a history of breakthrough innovations. Classic Aero, SB-S and Iris are only a few examples of how we lead the way. 

We work closely with partners and customers to identify and anticipate the needs of the industry and respond by co-producing new capabilities.

We also play a central role in the development of today’s regulatory safety frameworks and continue to be a trusted advisor to global regulators, as well as an active participant in defining the future of safety policy and infrastructure. This helps us to ensure our services are future-proofed for customers.