SmartSky Networks has appointed David Claassen to the newly created position of Chief Technology Officer. Claassen will direct SmartSky’s technology strategy and execution, including development and delivery of innovative technical solutions from its portfolio of patents, as the company moves forward to empower the growing connected aircraft market.
Classen was previously Vice President of Network and Service Architecture at SmartSky, leading the successful design, development and integration of many key aspects of the company’s core technical capabilities, including subscriber devices, Radio Access Network, IP core, cybersecurity, voice and data services, all which ultimately led to the deployment of the aviation industry’s first virtualized nationwide network architecture.
SmartSky is launching its advanced inflight connectivity service later this year. As part of its offering portfolio, the company is developing pioneering aviation data products through its open digital applications platform, Skytelligence, to improve safety and efficiency while providing the industry with novel ancillary revenue sources. SmartSky’s unique single-beam-per-aircraft in-flight communications approach is backed by more than 200 patents and over 1,000 hours of flight testing.
