SEATTLE, June 4, 1996 -- The Boeing Company has completed flight-testing a full-scale prototype of its phased-array communication antenna system to demonstrate the technology's suitability for commercial and military operations.

Military and commercial users have long sought an affordable means to allow aircraft and other mobile platforms to transmit and receive digital, real-time information directly or via satellite. However, high-data-rate satellite communication has not been available to mobile platforms because the use of conventional, high-gain reflector antennas has not been physically practical.

The Boeing phased-array technology provides high bandwidth communication, from super-high-frequency (SHF) to extra-high-frequency (EHF), that is needed to move massive volumes of information via satellite. Unlike conventional, mechanically steered antennas that are bulky, heavy and slow, thin, lightweight phased-array antennas can steer beams electronically, permitting instantaneous connections between satellites and mobile platforms.

The 1,500-element antenna itself measures about 2 feet by 3 feet, and is about 1 inch thick. During the tests, which were conducted last month at Boeing Field near Seattle, the antenna was mounted atop the fuselage of a Cessna 206-model aircraft.

The tests were aimed at demonstrating the antenna system's ability to automatically acquire and track direct broadcast satellites, and display video signals on board the aircraft while in flight. The aircraft was flown at about 10,000 feet through a series of maneuvers, including flight paths toward and away from the satellite, and at varying bank and turn angles.

Digital satellite system television reception was demonstrated on an experimental basis from the DIRECTV satellite constellation at 101 degrees west longitude, positioned over the equator, south of Houston, Texas; and from the EchoStar Communications Corp. Echo 1 satellite at 119 degrees west longitude, positioned over the equator, due south of Seattle.

Results have been excellent, with the antenna system meeting or exceeding the company's performance expectations, said Stuart Buchan, Boeing phased-array development manager. High-quality video was received on-board the aircraft, he said.

For commercial airlines, the phased-array communication antenna system provides for the simultaneous communication of data and television signals. With a Boeing phased-array communication antenna system on board, as well as a modified receiving system, passengers potentially will have access to the entire spectrum of commercial television channels and other services available from direct-broadcast satellites. The antenna's potential will be fully realized when agreements are in place with direct broadcast satellite service providers, receiver manufacturers and airlines.

For military customers, the communication antenna system will enable them to receive broad-band, high-data-rate Global Broadcast System (GBS) information by on-the-move platforms such as aircraft, surface ships, submarines, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground vehicles. With the ability to simultaneously receive and transmit to an alternative satellite, such as Milstar, the antenna system allows theater commanders to inject theater information into the overall communication network, and also permits two-way communication between mobile platforms. The basic antenna technology is compatible with the current Milstar satellite and planned GBS system.

The antenna system will be installed on board the U.S. Air Force chief of staff's aircraft, a Boeing C-135 transport known as "Speckled Trout," for the 1996 Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (JWID '96) that will be held in August. During a series of JWID exercises, the Boeing phased-array antenna system will be used experimentally to receive satellite TV-transmitted video and military data for distribution on board the aircraft.