PLEINFELD, Germany (March 30, 2017) – W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) is pleased to announce that starting this summer, GORE® Microwave Sealed Airframe Assemblies will be used to improve Wi-Fi internet access on European short-haul flights.

The European Aviation Network is a next generation platform from mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat that will provide a true in-flight broadband experience for millions of airline passengers across Europe. It is the first solution in the world to combine high capacity satellite coverage operated by Inmarsat and a 4G LTE ground network, operated by the telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom, to provide high-speed connectivity.

Passengers will benefit from this integrated approach by getting the speed that a ground network can deliver and the continual coverage that only a satellite can provide. To do this successfully, data transmission between satellite, ground towers and the aircraft must work seamlessly. This is where Gore’s assemblies come into play.

GORE® Microwave Sealed Airframe Assemblies are vapor-sealed to provide durable protection against the ingress of water vapor, jet fuel and other contaminants. The robust construction of Gore’s assemblies also provides outstanding shielding effectiveness against electromagnetic interference that can compromise signal integrity over long distances and reduce the quality of signal transmission.

GORE® Microwave Sealed Airframe Assemblies are installed onto the aircraft, connecting the antennae located on the belly of the plane to the transceivers on the ground.

Product specialist Jim Foreman said, "It's a challenging environment, considering that liquid contaminants will naturally flow to the lowest point in the fuselage where the antenna is located. For this reason, the cable assembly must be vapor-sealed to provide durable protection against water, vapor, jet fuel, hydraulic oils and other contaminants. Our product meets this strict requirement."

For more information about GORE® Microwave Sealed Airframe Assemblies and other high-performance solutions, visit Booth 2D60 at the AIX Expo or online at gore.com/aix2017.

About Gore

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Founded in 1958, Gore has built a reputation for solving complex technical challenges in the most demanding environments — from revolutionizing the outerwear industry with GORE-TEX® fabric to creating medical devices that improve and save lives to enabling new levels of performance in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and mobile electronics markets, among other industries. The company is also known for its strong, team-oriented culture and global recognition from the Great Place to Work® Institute. Headquartered in Newark, Del., Gore employs 9,500 Associates and generates annual revenues of $3.5 billion. www.gore.com

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