BSN NAL HE7200A Antenna Kit (Cobham, TSO) (AN72A3KT)

BSN NAL HE7200A Antenna Kit (Cobham, TSO) (AN72A3KT)

In aircraft installations, the antenna system is not a simple accessory: it is a load-bearing part of the tracking architecture. The HawkEye 7200A reports aircraft position using GNSS and transmits reports over the Iridium satellite network, and reliable performance depends heavily on antenna placement, approved materials, and compliant installation practices. For that reason, aviation antenna kits are frequently sold as controlled “installation sets” rather than a-la-carte components.

Design and Features

Aviation-focused antenna integration for HawkEye 7200A

The AN72A3KT kit is described as an antenna kit compatible with the HawkEye 7200A tracking device. It is intended to provide a standardized, avionics-appropriate pathway for installing the antenna(s) and connecting them to the aircraft-installed tracker.

Combined Iridium + GNSS antenna function

Channel documentation for the HE7200A antenna kit describes an antenna that supports Passive Iridium plus Active L1 GPS and L1 GLONASS reception, reflecting a combined satellite communications and GNSS positioning antenna assembly. In practice, this is meant to support:

• Iridium L-band satellite link reliability (for tracking reports and event messages), and

• GNSS reception for accurate and continuous aircraft position determination.

Controlled aviation release documentation

Dealer listings for AN72A3KT emphasize inclusion of an FAA 8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate / Airworthiness Approval Tag for the antenna assembly.
FAA Form 8130-3 is an official release document used in the aviation supply chain and is widely referenced in FAA guidance for confirming that an article is approved for return to service or otherwise released in accordance with applicable rules and approvals.

“TSO” positioning for aircraft equipment

The kit’s “TSO” labeling reflects common aviation procurement language: TSO (Technical Standard Order) is an FAA-defined minimum performance standard used to evaluate specific categories of aviation articles, and authorization to manufacture to a TSO standard is known as a TSO Authorization (TSOA).
In plain terms, TSO language signals that the antenna is associated with recognized aviation performance requirements and traceability expectations (though installers still must comply with aircraft-specific installation approvals and procedures).

Technology and Specifications

Kit contents (published channel bill of materials)

A detailed channel listing for the HE7200A Antenna Kit (the functional kit corresponding to the AN72A3KT ordering code in dealer catalogs) states that it includes:

• FAA-Approved Passive Iridium; Active L1 GPS and L1 GLONASS Antenna (Part# 5GIRG3RR-AP-XST-1)

• 15 ft GPS coax cable (Part# DG15SR2-SR / PELX195-500 class)

• 15 ft Iridium coax cable (Part# C15TR2-SR / PFLX240-500 class)

• HawkEye 7200A Install Kit (Part# 200805)

This packaging approach matters operationally: fixed-length, known-compatible coax assemblies reduce integration errors and simplify compliance documentation in aircraft maintenance environments.

Why the cables are part of the “system”

Aviation SATCOM/GNSS performance can be impacted by:

• connector quality and impedance mismatch,

• cable attenuation at L-band,

• routing near other emitters and aircraft electrical systems, and

• installation workmanship (strain relief, grounding practices, and sealing).

By shipping standardized coax assemblies, the kit helps ensure the installation is repeatable and closer to the performance assumed by the equipment approvals.

Relationship to HawkEye 7200A tracking

The kit is explicitly described as compatible with the HawkEye 7200A tracking device. In a typical system architecture:

1. The HawkEye 7200A uses GNSS to compute position.

2. The Iridium link transmits periodic reports and event-driven messages.

3. Antenna performance and placement directly influence message success rate and time-to-connect.

Applications and Use Cases

ICAO GADSS-aligned aircraft tracking programs

The HawkEye 7200A is commonly deployed to support modern aircraft tracking expectations (often discussed in the context of GADSS-oriented tracking). The AN72A3KT antenna kit supports these programs by providing a standardized, aviation-oriented antenna subsystem appropriate for installed aircraft tracking.

Special mission, charter, and remote operations

Operators who fly in regions with limited terrestrial coverage—offshore routes, polar-adjacent corridors, remote landmasses, and large wilderness areas—often use Iridium-based tracking to maintain operational visibility. An aviation antenna kit is foundational in those deployments because handheld-style antennas and ad-hoc mounting are generally unsuitable for consistent airborne use.

Fleet standardization and maintenance traceability

In multi-aircraft programs, operators often prefer a single approved kit that:

• reduces configuration variance across the fleet,

• simplifies spares stocking (one antenna/cable set), and

• improves documentation consistency for maintenance records.

Advantages / Benefits

Installation readiness and reduced integration risk

Instead of sourcing an antenna, cables, adapters, and brackets separately, AN72A3KT is presented as a single procurement line item that includes the core pieces required for an HE7200A installation.

Aviation documentation alignment (8130-3)

Dealer descriptions specifically call out FAA 8130-3 inclusion. For aviation operators, this can reduce administrative friction compared with consumer-grade antenna sourcing, because 8130-3 is a standard document in regulated maintenance supply chains.

TSO-oriented procurement language

TSO concepts provide a shared vocabulary for aviation buyers and installers: TSOs define minimum performance standards and TSOA indicates a combined design and production approval pathway. While aircraft-level installation approval is still required, TSO terminology generally signals that the equipment is aligned with aviation certification expectations.

Supports reliable Iridium + GNSS performance

The combined antenna concept (Iridium + active GNSS) and matched coax assemblies are designed to support consistent airborne performance, which is critical for tracking systems that must report reliably across flight phases.

FAQ Section

What is the BSN NAL HE7200A Antenna Kit (AN72A3KT)?

It is an aviation antenna accessory package for the HawkEye 7200A aircraft tracking system that includes an Iridium/GNSS antenna assembly, coax cables, and an installation kit, and is marketed with aviation documentation such as FAA 8130-3.

How does the HE7200A Antenna Kit work?

The kit provides the aircraft-mounted antenna path needed for the HawkEye 7200A system: GNSS signals support accurate position, and the Iridium antenna path supports satellite transmissions. The included coax cables connect these antenna functions to the installed tracking unit.

Why is the HE7200A Antenna Kit important?

Aircraft tracking systems are only as reliable as their antenna installation. The kit standardizes the antenna + cabling configuration and is positioned for aviation traceability and performance expectations, including TSO context and FAA 8130-3 documentation.

What are the benefits of the AN72A3KT kit?

Key benefits include a defined, compatible bill of materials (antenna + matched coax + install kit), aviation-oriented documentation (8130-3), and procurement language aligned with FAA TSO standards for aircraft articles.

Summary

The BSN NAL HE7200A Antenna Kit (Cobham, TSO) (AN72A3KT) is a standardized aviation antenna-and-cabling package built to support installation of the HawkEye 7200A Iridium aircraft tracking system. By bundling a combined Iridium + active GNSS antenna assembly with matched coax cables and an install kit—and by emphasizing aviation supply-chain documentation such as FAA 8130-3 and TSO alignment—the kit targets operators who need repeatable installations, traceability, and dependable airborne tracking performance.