Download PDF version

Satcom Direct (SD), the aviation solutions provider, has added a new Canadian state-of-the-art production campus to its global footprint in Ottawa, Ontario. The decision to develop the purpose-built engineering and production facility was driven by the industry shift towards the digitisation of aviation and the need to innovate hardware that provides robust connectivity to support communications and the practical applications of multi-faceted data generated by aircraft.

SD currently provides business and government aircraft with more cabin routers, along with datalink units and handsets, than any other supplier around the globe. The new facility has been designed to meet and exceed the growing demands and expectations of existing and future customers by setting new industry-wide hardware and manufacturing standards. The Ottawa-based SD team is also responsible for the ongoing development, and subsequent manufacturing of the SD Plane Simple™ antenna terminal systems, in partnership with Germany-based QEST, Quantenelektronische Systeme GmbH.

SD’s commitment and continued strategy

Advanced range of antennas will have a wider choice of flexible connectivity solutions for all sizes of aircraft

The collaboration is bringing to market a revolutionary antenna series including a Ku-band and Ka-band dual variant tail-mounted antenna, an electronically steered, fuselage-mounted phased-array antenna and a Certus hardware solution to support the global Iridium NEXT network. The advanced range of antennas will provide a wider choice of flexible connectivity solutions for all sizes of aircraft from light to heavy jets around the globe.

The world-class engineering laboratories, thermal and electromagnetic chambers, and production workshops are also equipped to produce and repair in-service hardware, including the high-tech SDR Series of cabin routers. The expanded footprint supports SD’s continued strategy of originating products and services specifically designed and evolved for the business and government aviation sectors. “Our investment reflects SD’s commitment to supporting pioneering product development, technical expertise, and quality manufacturing processes,” says SD Ottawa General Manager Joanne Walker. To this end, the new facility has already achieved AS9100 certification confirming the high-quality standards of its design, process and manufacturing capabilities.

Upgrade of SD’s NOC

The campus is located in Canada’s largest technology park, Kanata North, which has a long history of developing products for the communications industry. “Moving to this outstanding technology hub locates us amongst like-minded companies and will have the added benefit of attracting the right type of qualified professionals to work with us which is essential for continued success. The investment in the infrastructure and people ensures we continue delivering powerful solutions to enhance aviation operations globally,” adds Jim Jensen, SD CEO & Founder.

The announcement follows hard-on-the-heels of news about the upgrade of SD’s NOC at its global headquarters in Melbourne, FL., and further confirms SD’s ambition to transform business aviation connectivity by delivering an ecosystem integrating avionics, software, ground infrastructure and powerful cybersecurity services with award-winning customer support.

Download PDF version Download PDF version

In case you missed it

WinGD ammonia engine powers EXMAR LPG carrier
WinGD ammonia engine powers EXMAR LPG carrier

Swiss marine power company WinGD has become the first engine designer to bring an ammonia-fuelled two-stroke marine engine to market following the delivery and installation of its...

Fouling control technologies are even more important for vessel operators following recent IMO MEPC 83 session
Fouling control technologies are even more important for vessel operators following recent IMO MEPC 83 session

Marine industry pioneers gathered at Nor-Shipping in June, with a focus on the key challenges and opportunities driving the transition to a lower-carbon future. With regulations s...

New ABS notation boosts container ship flexibility
New ABS notation boosts container ship flexibility

ABS enhanced its CLP-V(PARR) lashing notation to include a seasonality factor, which gives additional operational flexibility to container ship operators. Introduced in 2024, the...

vfd