Boeing subsidiary Insitu, in collaboration with aviation Wi-Fi company Gogo, has successfully tested a military unmanned aircraft using satellite connectivity. For the test, a modified Gogo Galileo HDX antenna was integrated onto the Insitu Integrator, a Group 3 unmanned aircraft.
The Integrator is used by military customers for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. During the test, the system provided the drone with high-speed global internet connectivity through Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit satellite network.
The companies said the system will not be subject to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which could simplify its export to international customers.
According to John Kelly, Insitu’s vice president of growth, satellite connectivity is intended to extend the drone’s command-and-control range and accelerate the transmission of data from its onboard sensors from the battlefield.
The companies did not say when they plan to deploy the system.
Satellite connectivity is being used for military drones operating over longer distances. One of the best-known examples is Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite network, which is also used by military customers. The company also offers Starshield, a separate service for government and military applications.
At the same time, European governments and some Pentagon officials have raised concerns about excessive reliance on Starlink. Against this backdrop, Gogo and Insitu have tested an alternative satellite connectivity option using the Eutelsat OneWeb network.
