HAWTHORNE, Calif. - ThinKom Solutions in Hawthorne, Calif. and SNC in Sparks, Nev. have successfully integrated ThinKom’s ThinAir GT 2517 satcom antenna on SNC’s RAPCON-X aircraft, completing its inaugural flight. The aircraft is part of the U.S. Army’s Theater Level High Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR (ATHENA) program.
The RAPCON-X, based on the commercial Bombardier Global 6500 jet, is a rapidly configurable airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (A-ISR) platform designed for multi-domain operations against advanced adversaries. ThinKom’s GT 2517 phased-array antenna provides beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) network connectivity.
"As the primary communications pipeline deployed on SNC’s RAPCON-X aircraft, ThinKom's GT 2517 reliably and securely supports assured mission success whenever and wherever needed," said Bill Milroy, chairman and CTO of ThinKom. "The open-architecture platform provides robust and resilient command, control, and communications capabilities."
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SNC’s RAPCON-X is designed for rapid deployment, long-range operations, and reduced fuel consumption due to its aerodynamic, low-profile antenna radome.
RAPCON-X was designed using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), which reduces the time required to integrate new and different systems and capabilities. The aircraft features a functional mission interior that can be reconfigured for specific mission requirements without costly aircraft redesign. SNC’s family of systems approach also allows the company to apply its scalable RAPCON-X design to other aircraft types, including the Bombardier Challenger 650 and King Air 350ER aircraft.
“ThinKom provides us with a proven multi-orbit platform, delivering flexibility and high-throughput capability to enable a true paradigm shift for high-altitude A-ISR capabilities,” said Tim Harper, SNC’s vice president of business development.
The phased-array system allows seamless connectivity between geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite networks, supported by a U.S. military-compliant modem for secure, real-time data transmission.
