UK Team Successfully Completes Flight Trials for Airborne 5G Infrastructure

In a remarkable milestone for telecommunications, a consortium of UK companies has completed successful flight trials for an advanced airborne 5G connectivity system. This innovative technology, designed to provide wide-scale, high-performance 5G coverage from the sky, was integrated into a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft and underwent a series of demonstration flights, showcasing its potential to revolutionize global communication.

Stratospheric Platforms Limited (SPL), a leader in Non-Terrestrial Networks telecoms development, spearheaded the project. SPL has been at the forefront of creating airborne antennas capable of delivering reliable 5G connectivity. This technology holds significant promise for rapidly restoring communication networks in the aftermath of major disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis, where traditional infrastructure may be compromised.

On July 18, 2024, the project team hosted distinguished guests, including potential customers and investors, at Britten-Norman’s Solent Airport maintenance facility. These guests observed the installation of a large 5G phased array antenna under real flight conditions. The trials, managed by Britten-Norman’s Flight Test Organisation, focused on evaluating the aircraft’s performance and handling with the installed antenna, ensuring safe operation under both normal and emergency scenarios. Successful completion of these trials is crucial for full system certification, which will enable integration with terrestrial telecom networks and provide connection speeds of up to 200 Mbps over areas as large as 15,000 square kilometers.

The chosen aircraft for this groundbreaking project was the BN2T-4S Islander, a turboprop variant known for its robust design, all-weather capabilities, and exceptional endurance. Its modular design makes it an ideal platform for integrating large mission systems while retaining the flexibility to switch roles for different tasks.

The next phase of the project will involve demonstrating the technology by connecting it to a private UK-based national 5G telecommunications network. This endeavor represents a significant leap forward in airborne telecommunications, bringing the vision of reliable, high-speed 5G connectivity from the sky closer to reality.

Richard Deakin, CEO of Stratospheric Platforms Limited, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Stratospheric Platforms is dedicated to creating pioneering solutions that transform the connectivity landscape. Our commitment to delivering high-altitude, zero-carbon, long-endurance communication platforms will revolutionize how the world stays connected, especially in remote and underserved regions. Today’s flight test is an important step in the continuing validation of our technology breakthroughs.”

Dr. Garnet Ridgway, Head of Flight Dynamics at Britten-Norman, also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project, saying, “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 contributions from our design, manufacture, MRO, flight test, and flight operations teams. The huge potential of SPL’s system and the collaborative nature of the team made this project particularly exciting.”

As the project progresses, the successful flight trials mark a crucial step in realizing the vision of widespread 5G connectivity delivered from the skies, promising unprecedented opportunities for global communication and a more connected world.