Space technology (satnav, satcom, geo-referencing, GPS-tracking) acts as an enabler and risk reducer for critical aspects of UAV-operations. Without reliable space technologies, today’s broad drone use, state-of-development and many applications would not be possible. Missions would be riskier to the drone, target and uninvolved assets (ground and air risk), as navigation would be less accurate. In future, satcom use for drones will be particularly relevant for BVLOS flight operations, for enabling and risk mitigation purposes in the specific and certified categories. Since 2022, AIR6 | AIRBORNE have been conducting R&D in the field of UAV satcom. We have been mandated since then with three UAV satcom development contracts: Pre-development Activities for UAV integration (ESA / Inmarsat), Development of UAV Satcom Simulator (ESA) and UAV-Satcom Operations Testing. Satcom, accessible from anywhere world-wide and without range limitations, is a viable solution for BVLOS flights, stand-alone or in combination with terrestrial communication links.

For more information, please visit our blog or contact us directly.

C2-enabled flights will be a critical in future for BVLOS applications, for instance in sectors like:

• Energy (wind, solar, power lines, hydro, oil & gas)
• Rail, road and critical infrastructures
• Logistics
• Forestry
• Task forces (fire fighters, policy, border & coastal control)

Our development work for the projects/mandates DrSUIT, Saturn, SaturnX, AeroDrop, AirBhutan and SimLogAI focus on C2-operated missions. With this technology, our customers are able to fly automated and manual missions over thousands of km away from the C2.

Our AirborneSIM simulation tool is part of the company’s future-oriented strategy and provides customers with multiple functions and benefits:

1. Technical & operational simulation: mission planning and feasibility checks for complex operations.
2. Support for BVLOS applications: provide supporting evidence for general specific category or BVLOS applications with NAAs (National Aviation Authorities).
3. C2 flights: Command Centre flights can be simulated, communication links (direct radio, LTE, satcom) be customized.
4. Pilot training: the simulator provides a training environment for manual and auto flights.

We are currently working on 3 sample simulator environments with specific tasks and requirements:

• Offshore wind inspections: DrSUIT (mobile, vessel bound solution with drone swarm), SaturnX (substation resident solution).
• Alpine logistics: AeroDrop (emergency deliveries) and AirBhutan (medium range / medium altitude location deliveries).
• Urban logistics: SimLogAI (industrial HVM deliveries)

If you are interested in our simulation solution and possible customized use cases, please contact us directly.