Boeing and Gogo Test OneWeb-Based Integrator Drone for Military Connectivity

Boeing's drone subsidiary Insitu and satellite connectivity provider Gogo have successfully tested an Integrator military drone using OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit network. This gives defense customers another option as governments seek to reduce their reliance on Elon Musk-led SpaceX's Starlink network.

The test used a modified Galileo HDX antenna connected through Eutelsat Communications' OneWeb constellation, which requires no aircraft modifications. Insitu Vice President of Growth John Kelly said the system would extend command-and-control range and allow 'seamless backhaul of sensor data with minimal latency.'

Integrator can remain airborne for up to 27.5 hours, carry a 50-pound payload, and supports both proliferated-LEO and geosynchronous satellite-control options. Eutelsat plans to procure 229 additional OneWeb satellites from Airbus to replenish and expand the constellation.

Starlink still dominates with its thousands of satellites, but the Pentagon is exploring alternatives due to concerns about relying too heavily on SpaceX's company. The Space Force awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion secure satellite-data-network contract in May, while a separate $1.6 billion award covers 18 national-security launches.