Honeywell Validates Satcom Antenna for BVLOS Drone Operations

Honeywell Aerospace, in collaboration with Viasat, Frequentis AG, and the European Space Agency (ESA), has successfully validated a new lightweight satellite communications antenna designed to enable safe beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The flight tests, announced on August 18, 2026, demonstrated the system’s ability to maintain continuous command-and-control connectivity in shared airspace by seamlessly integrating satellite and terrestrial networks.

According to a press release issued by Honeywell Aerospace, which employs 36,000 people globally and supports 10,000 customers, the technology integrates with the company’s VersaWave satcom system. This hardware provides the resilient network capabilities required for real-time flight control and conflict avoidance. The development is positioned as a foundational step toward scaling routine commercial uncrewed aircraft operations, including logistics, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response, within regulated airspace frameworks.

Flight testing and U-space integration

The antenna was developed at Honeywell’s facilities in Brno, Czechia, with flight testing conducted at the nearby Budkovice Airport. The validation flights took place within Europe’s U-space environment, a digital and automated airspace framework specifically designed to integrate uncrewed aircraft. The initiative falls under the broader scope of the ESA Iris Global program, which aims to modernize air traffic management through advanced satellite communications.

During the test campaign, operators utilized a Honeywell Ground Control Station (GCS) equipped with a ground-based Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) system. The setup successfully processed telemetry data from both the test drone and a crewed aircraft acting as an intentional intruder. The system identified potential conflicts and recommended safe route adjustments in real time.

“Flight testing at Budkovice Airport confirmed that combining satellite and terrestrial communication links ensures operators maintain positive control of the aircraft even in demanding or complex scenarios,” stated Martin Mlaskač, Senior Technical Manager at Honeywell Aerospace.

Industry collaboration and digital infrastructure

The successful validation relied on a consortium of aerospace and telecommunications entities. Frequentis AG, an Austrian provider of communication and information systems with 2,600 full-time equivalent employees, contributed to the digital infrastructure required for the tests. The company reported 2025 revenues of EUR 580 million and an earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 47 million.

Bernhard Kirschner, Solution Architect for Integrated Lower Airspace at Frequentis AG, noted that the demonstration highlights the necessity of strong industry collaboration to build the digital infrastructure required for safe uncrewed aviation.

Viasat provided the satellite network backbone essential for the multilink approach. Joel Klooster, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations and Safety at Viasat, emphasized that Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) integration and resilient network capabilities are core pillars of BVLOS operations rather than optional additions.

“Our ongoing collaboration in the ESA Iris program shows how advanced multilink networks can enable real-time interaction, airspace awareness, and continuity of control in live operating conditions. These are all critical elements for scalable unmanned operations,” Klooster said.

AirPro News analysis

We view the integration of lightweight satcom with ground-based DAA as a critical technical bridge for the uncrewed aviation sector. While terrestrial cellular networks offer high bandwidth for drone operations, they are susceptible to coverage gaps at altitude and in remote areas. By validating a system that seamlessly switches between terrestrial and satellite links, Honeywell and its partners are directly addressing the primary safety concern of civil aviation regulators: loss of positive control. As the industry pushes to commercialize BVLOS operations, hardware that can guarantee continuous command-and-control connectivity will likely become a baseline regulatory requirement rather than a competitive differentiator. The involvement of the ESA and the alignment with Europe’s U-space framework suggest this technology is being positioned for rapid regulatory adoption across the continent.

Sources: Honeywell Aerospace