Honeywell Unveils Satellite Antenna for Safe BVLOS Drone Operations

Honeywell Aerospace has made significant progress in enabling safe and reliable drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The company's new satellite communications antenna, developed at its European R&D center in Brno, Czechia, provides continuous connectivity essential for real-time flight control, airspace awareness, and conflict avoidance.

The technology was validated in partnership with Viasat using its highly reliable satellite network under real flight conditions. Honeywell Aerospace's antenna was integrated with its VersaWave satcom system, enabling seamless switching between satellite and terrestrial networks to maintain uninterrupted command-and-control.

During the demonstrations, operators were able to adjust flight trajectories and maintain safe separation from other airspace users when potential conflicts were detected. The flights formed part of a broader test campaign showcasing how resilient connectivity supports safe drone integration into shared airspace.

Honeywell Aerospace is now preparing the antenna for industrial production and evaluating Czech suppliers for inclusion in its manufacturing supply chain. The initiative is co-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), with additional support from the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.