Gogo and Insitu Unveil Satellite Communications System for Military Drones
Boeing's drone subsidiary Insitu and aviation Wi-Fi provider Gogo have completed testing of a military drone using satellite communications technology. The development is aimed at expanding options beyond Elon Musk's Starlink network, which has been gaining attention in the defense sector.
The partnership between Gogo Special Missions and Insitu involved installing a modified version of Gogo's Galileo HDX antenna on Insitu's Integrator drone. This enabled the drone to access high-speed global internet through Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit satellite network.
According to Insitu's vice president, John Kelly, this technology is 'ITAR-free', making it easier for exports to international customers. The system would allow military drones to extend command-and-control range and transmit sensor data from the battlefield more quickly.