Boeing Unit and Gogo Tested Drone Satellite Link
The collaboration integrated a new high-bandwidth antenna system into a military drone for improved connectivity.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Telecommunications
Live Poll
Should the military prioritize using multiple commercial satellite networks for drone connectivity?
Boeing subsidiary Insitu and Gogo Special Missions have successfully tested a satellite connectivity system on a military drone. The project integrated the Galileo HDX antenna into an Integrator unmanned aerial system.
Why it matters
The new system provides military drone operators with a viable, high-bandwidth alternative to Starlink for global satellite connectivity. This development increases options for secure communications in aerial missions.
The test featured the integration of a Gogo Galileo HDX antenna into a Group 3 Integrator unmanned aerial system. Connectivity is powered by Eutelsat's OneWeb low-Earth orbit satellite network.
The players
Insitu
A subsidiary of Boeing that specializes in the design and manufacture of unmanned aerial systems for military and commercial use.
Gogo Special Missions
A division of Gogo that provides specialized aviation communications hardware and connectivity solutions for government and military aircraft.
Eutelsat
A major satellite operator that manages the OneWeb low-Earth orbit network utilized for global high-speed connectivity.
The details
The integration of the Galileo HDX antenna allows the aircraft to leverage low-Earth orbit satellite constellations for reliable, high-speed data transmission. This effort aims to ensure drone operators maintain command and control capabilities in environments where other satellite networks may face capacity constraints.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The test results were officially reported.
The Tech Race
This development represents a significant expansion in the competitive landscape for airborne satellite communications. By moving beyond a reliance on the Starlink network, defense contractors are building more resilient, multi-source connectivity architectures for military hardware.
For military and defense stakeholders, this integration offers improved mission redundancy through a new high-bandwidth option. Users can expect more versatile hardware configurations that are not tethered to a single satellite provider.
The takeaway
Reliable high-bandwidth connectivity remains a critical bottleneck for modern unmanned military operations. Diversifying satellite network access is a necessary step to ensure continuous global communication and command for critical aerial assets.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Telecommunications on our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Defense Post.
Live Poll
Should the military prioritize using multiple commercial satellite networks for drone connectivity?
