Honeywell Aerospace has validated a new satellite communications antenna designed to help drones fly safely beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The technology is built to keep drone operators connected during flights, even when normal ground-based communication is not enough.
The antenna was developed at Honeywell Aerospace’s European R&D center in Brno, Czechia, as part of the European Space Agency’s Iris Global program. The system was tested with Viasat’s satellite network during real flight operations.
The new Honeywell Aerospace antenna provides a steady communication link between a drone and its operator. This link is important for controlling the aircraft, monitoring airspace and responding to possible flight conflicts.
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The technology was tested at Budkovice Airport in Czechia. According to Honeywell Aerospace, the tests showed that satellite and terrestrial communication links can work together to maintain control during BVLOS flights.
Honeywell Aerospace developed the antenna as part of the ESA Iris Global program. Viasat supported the testing with its satellite network, while Frequentis provided its Uncrewed Traffic Management system.
Brno University of Technology helped with radio-frequency testing. Czech industrial partners also supported the production of the prototype.
Drone operators usually need reliable communication to control aircraft safely. This becomes more difficult when a drone flies beyond the operator’s direct view or over larger distances.
A stable connection can help operators respond when another aircraft or drone enters the planned flight path. This is especially important for drone services such as infrastructure inspection, deliveries and emergency response.
The antenna was integrated with Honeywell Aerospace’s VersaWave satellite communication system. It can switch between satellite and terrestrial networks to help keep the command-and-control connection active.
During the tests, a Honeywell Aerospace Ground Control Station received information from the drone and a crewed aircraft acting as a potential intruder. Its ground-based Detect-and-Avoid system identified possible conflicts and helped the operator choose a safer route.
The demonstrations were carried out partly in a European U-space environment. U-space is a digital system designed to help manage and coordinate drone flights in shared airspace.
Frequentis’ traffic management system handled tasks such as operator registration, flight approvals and geo-awareness. Once a new flight route was approved, it could be uploaded and followed automatically by the drone.
The antenna has been validated through flight demonstrations, but it is not yet described as a fully deployed commercial product. Honeywell Aerospace is now preparing it for industrial production and is assessing Czech suppliers for its manufacturing network.
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The tests also involved a controlled demonstration environment. Wider commercial use will depend on regulatory approvals, network availability and the ability to operate safely across different airspace conditions.
Reliable communication is one of the key requirements for expanding BVLOS drone operations. If systems like this can provide continuous control and work with automated airspace management, they could make routine commercial drone flights easier to operate safely.
Honeywell Aerospace and its partners are now moving the technology closer to commercial production. The work also shows how satellite networks, ground systems and airspace management tools can work t
