Boeing, Gogo Test Satellite-Linked Military Drone in Challenge to Starlink

Post by : Saif

Boeing’s drone subsidiary Insitu and aviation communications company Gogo have tested a military drone connected through satellites, opening another option for defense forces that want alternatives to SpaceX’s Starlink.

The companies said Tuesday that they successfully tested Gogo’s satellite communication technology on Insitu’s Integrator drone. The system is designed to give the uncrewed aircraft high-speed internet through Eutelsat’s OneWeb low-Earth-orbit satellite network.

The test comes as military forces are using drones more widely for surveillance, reconnaissance and battlefield operations. Longer-range missions are increasing the need for reliable satellite communications that can work beyond traditional radio links.

Insitu Drone Uses OneWeb Satellite Network

Insitu integrated a modified version of Gogo’s Galileo HDX antenna onto its Integrator drone.

Integrator is a mid-sized uncrewed aircraft used by military customers for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The satellite system is designed to provide the drone with high-speed global internet access through Eutelsat OneWeb satellites.

Satellite communication can allow military drones to operate over longer distances and send information back to operators more quickly.

John Kelly, vice president of growth at Insitu, said the ITAR-free satellite communications option would be important for the company’s international customers.

The companies did not announce when the new system could be deployed.

ITAR-Free System Could Help International Sales

One of the main features highlighted by Gogo and Insitu is that the system would not be subject to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations, known as ITAR.

That could make the technology easier to offer to international customers compared with systems that face ITAR restrictions.

Insitu said the satellite connection could extend the command-and-control range of its drone and allow faster transmission of sensor data from the battlefield.

The ability to send information quickly is important for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, where operators may need to receive images and other data while a drone is operating far from its control station.

Read more: NASA and SpaceX Set January 14 Target for Crew-11’s Return to Earth

Starlink Has Become Important to Drone Warfare

Satellite internet has become increasingly important in military drone operations. Drones have been widely used in the Russia-Ukraine war and in conflicts across the Middle East.

Many military forces are looking for ways to operate drones over greater distances while dealing with electronic jamming and other communication challenges.

SpaceX’s Starlink has become a major satellite communications system for military users. SpaceX also provides Starshield, a secure satellite communications service aimed at government customers.

Starlink's satellite network has thousands of satellites, giving it a much larger constellation than many competing systems.

Europe and Defense Officials Seek More Options

Growing dependence on Starlink has also raised concerns among some European governments and U.S. defense officials.

The Boeing-Insitu and Gogo test highlights the wider effort to develop additional satellite communication options for military drones.

Eutelsat OneWeb provides one such alternative through its low-Earth-orbit satellite network. The companies say the combination of OneWeb connectivity and the Integrator drone could support international customers seeking high-speed satellite communications without ITAR restrictions.

For military drone operators, having more than one satellite network could provide additional choices for long-range missions, data transmission and command-and-control operations.

The test does not yet represent a full commercial deployment. Gogo and Insitu have not provided a timeline for putting the system into operational service.

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