![Descend Into ‘Tunnels’ on the Meta Quest Next Month [Trailer]](https://i0.wp.com/bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tunnels.jpg?fit=900%2C580&ssl=1)
![Declarations of Independents: The Masterpiece You Missed [DOOMED LOVE]](https://jonathanrosenbaum.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/doomed-love.jpg)
![A Delta One Server at LAX Handed Me a Laminated Venmo Tip Card—With the Airline’s Logo on It [Roundup]](https://viewfromthewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/delta-one-lounge-lax.jpeg?#)
![Avis Gave Him A ‘Free Upgrade’—Then Sent A $2,000 Bill And Claimed He Drove 40,000 Miles In 5 Days [Roundup]](https://viewfromthewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/rental-car-at-msy-airport.jpeg?#)
-Mario-Kart-World-Hands-On-Preview-Is-It-Good-00-08-36.jpg?width=1920&height=1920&fit=bounds&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp#)
(1).jpg?width=1920&height=1920&fit=bounds&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp#)
.png?#)
Iridium VAMs explore integrating PNT service with avionics
Iridium’s value added manufacturers in aviation are exploring ways to bring another layer of safety to the flight deck by integrating the McLean, Virginia-based firm’s new positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service into their aero satcom solutions to complement and protect GPS. The alternative PNT service, now dubbed Iridium Satellite Time and Location (Iridium STL),... The post Iridium VAMs explore integrating PNT service with avionics appeared first on Runway Girl.
Iridium’s value added manufacturers in aviation are exploring ways to bring another layer of safety to the flight deck by integrating the McLean, Virginia-based firm’s new positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) service into their aero satcom solutions to complement and protect GPS.
The alternative PNT service, now dubbed Iridium Satellite Time and Location (Iridium STL), became part of the satellite operator’s portfolio last year when it acquired Satelles. Transmitted from Iridium’s cross-linked L-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, Iridium STL is billed as improving the resiliency and survivability of critical infrastructure when GPS or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are absent or disrupted. It has the ability to penetrate buildings and other hard-to-reach areas with only a receiver and small antenna.
In tandem, however, several of Iridium’s VAMs have already developed satcom solutions that support cockpit communications — and soon safety services — via Iridium’s next-gen Certus service, which runs over the Iridium LEO network. And so, Iridium STL “ends up being another layer on top of this whole safety part that we’re doing in aviation”, Iridium executive director of aviation John Peterson explained to Runway Girl Network at the recent SATELLITE conference and exhibition in Washington D.C.
The service would effectively provide a constant check on whether or not an aircraft’s GPS signal is being spoofed, in turn addressing a growing problem in aviation.
“Now what’s happening is our VAMs are starting to crack into the, ‘hey, what if’” realm, and explore “‘what if we put this in with our Iridium product?’ Then now all of a sudden I have something that adds another layer of safety for the pilots. And it’s included with the Iridium product,” Peterson revealed.
“And then we’re also starting to crack into, ‘all right, well, how do we take it from being something that is a product that is ‘reference only’, to something that’s integrated?’ And so how do we go do the technical standard orders (TSOs) for that? And so now all of a sudden we’re cracking into that next level that Iridium’s going to get into in terms of safety — where you buy an Iridium product, you buy an Iridium subscription, and this whole other thing is coming with it. So, we’re very excited about continuous improvement, always innovating.”
Peterson noted that company CEO Matt Desch “knew what he was doing” when he led Iridium in its purchase of Satelles, even though enhanced flight deck safety wasn’t the primary reason for acquiring the PNT specialist. Indeed, after the acquisition last year, Desch told RGN that Iridium was putting the wheels in motion to bring Iridium STL to aviation in a variety of ways, including to address the increased jamming and spoofing of GNSS systems like GPS.
“We expect to work with avionics partners to bring solutions to this market, but as with all things in the aviation domain, it may take them time to get their solutions approved and certified. Our technology is ready though and well tested in other domains,” Desch said at the time.
With Iridium’s aviation VAMs now taking the lead on that work, progress is afoot, Peterson confirmed to RGN at SATELLITE.
“What I’m seeing for me personally is this is the innovation that our VAM model brings. This is why we do what we do. We don’t try to lock it all up under us,” he said. Nor does Iridium force operators “to buy everything from us, because our VAM partners are the ones who are really calling us on the phone and saying, ‘I like what you’re doing here. I want to invest. Let’s crack the lid on that and take a closer look at the specs.’ So, I’m very excited about where we’re going there and what we’re doing.”
Related Articles:
- Iridium plans Certus safety flight trials aboard 767, 777 and 737
- GPS jamming in aviation underscores industry need for Iridium STL
- Iridium approves third Certus 700 satcom for aero; says more to come
- Press Release: Iridium completes Satelles acquisition
Featured image credited to Becca Alkema
The post Iridium VAMs explore integrating PNT service with avionics appeared first on Runway Girl.
