The technology is being developed by a number of UK companies led by Stratospheric Platforms (SPL), a Non-Terrestrial Networks telecoms developer, with design, integration and demonstration flights provided by manufacturer Britten-Norman.
SPL is developing airborne antennas to deliver widescale high performance 5G coverage and this technology offers numerous valuable applications, such as quickly restoring networks after major disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis, where traditional mobile network infrastructure has been disrupted.
Earlier this month, the project team were joined by potential customers and investors to observe the installation of the array under real flight conditions during an event at Britten-Norman’s Solent Airport aircraft maintenance (MRO) facility.
The trial, conducted by Britten-Norman’s Flight Test Organisation, aimed to demonstrate the aircraft's capability to operate safely with the large 5G phased array antenna installed. Key aspects of the flight test programme included assessment of aircraft performance and handling qualities, covering both normal and emergency operation. This will support full certification of the system, enabling integration in terrestrial telecoms network at connection speeds of up to 200Mbps over 15,000km2.
The turboprop BN2T-4S Islander variant was chosen for its robust design, all-weather capability, endurance and payload capacity. In addition, the aircraft’s modular design makes it a suitable platform for integration of large mission system payloads, whilst retaining a rapid re-role capability for other taskings.
The next phase of the project involves demonstrating the technology via a connection to a private UK-based national 5G telecommunications network.
According to the project team, this represents a significant leap forward in airborne telecommunications, bringing reliable, high-speed 5G connectivity from the sky one step closer to fruition.
Commenting Richard Deakin, CEO at Stratospheric Platforms said, “Stratospheric Platforms is dedicated to creating pioneering innovative solutions that transform the connectivity landscape. Our commitment to delivering high-altitude, zero-carbon, long-endurance communication platforms will revolutionise how the world stays connected, especially in remote and underserved regions. We believe that our cutting-edge technology will provide unprecedented opportunities for global communication and create a more connected and inclusive world. Our flight tests are an important step in the continuing validation of our technology breakthroughs.”