An advanced airborne 5G connectivity system has been successfully integrated into a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, marking the completion of a series of demonstration flights.
This technology is being developed by a consortium of UK companies led by Stratospheric Platforms Limited (SPL), a Non-Terrestrial Networks telecoms developer, with Britten-Norman providing design, integration, and demonstration flights.
SPL is at the forefront of developing airborne antennas capable of delivering extensive high-performance 5G coverage. This technology has numerous valuable applications, such as swiftly restoring networks following major disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis, where traditional mobile network infrastructure has been compromised.
On 18 July 2024, the project team welcomed distinguished guests, including 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 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 the assessment of aircraft performance and handling qualities, covering both normal and emergency operations. This will support the full certification of the system, enabling integration into terrestrial telecoms networks at connection speeds of up to 200Mbps over 15,000km².
The turboprop BN2T-4S Islander variant was selected for its robust design, all-weather capability, exceptional endurance, and payload capacity. Additionally, the aircraft’s modular design makes it an ideal platform for integrating large mission system payloads while retaining a rapid re-role capability for other tasks.
The next phase of the project involves demonstrating the technology via a connection to a private UK-based national 5G telecommunications network.
This innovative project represents a significant advancement in airborne telecommunications, bringing reliable, high-speed 5G connectivity from the sky one step closer to reality.
“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,” stated Richard Deakin, CEO at Stratospheric Platforms. “We believe that our cutting-edge technology will provide unprecedented opportunities for global communication and create a more connected and inclusive world. Today’s flight test is an important step in the continuing validation of our technology breakthroughs.”
“This project demonstrates the full capabilities of both Britten-Norman as an accomplished trials organisation and the turboprop Islander as a highly capable trials aircraft. Working closely with our partners, the project includes deliverables from our design, manufacture, MRO, flight test and flight operations teams. It’s always satisfying to deliver a safe and effective flight test programme, but the huge potential of SPL’s system and the collaborative nature of the team made this one particularly exciting,” added Dr Garnet Ridgway, Head of Flight Dynamics at Britten-Norman. “The large and complex nature of the system places significant demands on the host aircraft. However, the BN2T-4S performed admirably; the combination of payload capacity, endurance, climb performance, twin engine reliability, robustness and electrical power generation makes it unbeatable for this mission.”
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