Insitu and Gogo Test OneWeb Satellite Link on Integrator Drone

Boeing's drone unit Insitu and aviation Wi-Fi provider Gogo have collaborated on a project to integrate a satellite link from Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit constellation into the Integrator military drone. This move is aimed at providing an alternative to SpaceX's Starlink network for military drones, which has been a dominant player in the market.

The modified Gogo Galileo HDX antenna allows the drone to connect to OneWeb's satellites and provides high-speed global internet. According to Insitu's vice president of growth, John Kelly, this setup is essential for their global customers as it extends command-and-control range and speeds up transmission of sensor data from the battlefield.

The collaboration also addresses concerns about reliance on a single network, which has been a worry for governments and defense firms. The Integrator drone's link to OneWeb's constellation is not subject to US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), making it easier to sell abroad.