SOURCE: AFI
NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) has successfully conducted a groundbreaking test of a long-range SatCom link designed for Command, Control, Communication, Computing & Intelligence (C4I) functions of a drone swarm. This pioneering mission marks a significant milestone in the development of advanced drone communication systems.
The test demonstrated robust BLOS connectivity between a drone swarm and a satellite communication network, extending to a remote ground control station (GCS). This SatCom network ensures reliable connectivity across the globe, with the exception of polar regions.
Conducted in the challenging environment of Ladakh at an altitude of 4200 meters, the mission proved the system’s capability to operate under extreme conditions. The entire mission was planned, executed, and monitored from NRT HQ in Bengaluru, located over 3000 kilometers away.
Throughout the mission, seamless communication was maintained, including telemetry and payload data from the drone swarm. The network exhibited minimal latency, ensuring real-time data transfer and command execution.
This successful demonstration paves the way for remote BLOS operations of drone swarms across India. It significantly enhances mission resilience in contested environments, providing a reliable and secure communication solution.
The tested SatCom link offers a cutting-edge solution for multiple users at various locations. Leveraging encrypted SatCom links, this technology helps to close the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) response time more rapidly, thereby improving operational efficiency and decision-making speed.