Boeing, Gogo Test Satellite Network Alternative to Starlink

Boeing's Insitu and Gogo have tested an alternative to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network for military drones, using Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit satellites. The test was conducted on a modified version of the Integrator drone, which is used by military customers for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The system provides high-speed global internet and would not be subject to US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), easing exports to international customers, according to Insitu's vice president of growth, John Kelly. He said the technology would extend command-and-control range and allow faster transmission of sensor data from the battlefield.

The test is part of growing efforts by governments and defense firms to reduce reliance on Starlink, which has become a significant source of revenue for SpaceX due to its widespread use in military applications. European governments and some in the Pentagon have voiced concerns about an over-reliance on Starlink's constellation of thousands of satellites.