The Thuraya Aeronautical Satellite Data Unit (SDU) is a one or two channel unit in an ARINC 600 / two MCU size or flange mount chassis. It is the master of the ThurayaAero system providing the SatCom modem and control functionality. It also includes the SDU Configuration Module (SCM) which is located in a removable tray in a slider inserted into the SDU front panel. The identification information is stored on SIM modules inside the SCM.
The ThurayaAero SDU offers the same reliability and power Thuraya customers expect on the ground, but from a moving aircraft. It makes high-speed data applications possible such as surveillance video streaming, video-conferencing, access to e-mail, instant information (e.g. e-commerce), large file transfer, Voice over IP, etc. It can connect to multiple peripherals such as: camera turrets to deliver real-time high-definition video streaming; laser range finders and designator transmission to provide signals intelligence; or synthetic aperture radar for command and control applications. Through a WLAN Access Point, it is possible to use WiFi onboard for personal devices like tablets/smartphones or a notebook. Furthermore, a direct connection to the aircraft´s intercom system is easy.
Applications such as ISR, Search and Rescue, disaster relief, firefighting, pollution monitoring, fishery monitoring, tele-medicine, tele-engineering, special operations, border patrol, media news gathering, VIP "office in the sky", and many more are possible with the Thuraya Aero system.