Collaboration sees Velaris technology unlock BVLOS operations in uncrewed aviation
Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, today announces the integration of its Velaris L-band satellite terminal into a multi-link communications systems with Avionics Networks, a company developing innovative communication systems for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
This relationship and the capabilities it offers to customers around the world exemplifies Viasat’s commitment to continue to evolve and develop the Velaris technology to ensure it remains at the forefront of BVLOS connectivity solutions for decades to come. Powered by Viasat Velaris - a dedicated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) satcom service for UAVs and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft - Avionics Networks’ LECO-SOLARIS connectivity solution brings a new standard of bandwidth to customers across industries, delivering trusted connectivity when it matters most. The multi-link connectivity solution will enable improved capabilities including satellite connectivity, cellular 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, and embedded video processing and compression capabilities.
This technology will support multiple mission-critical use cases, including drones will that enable swift and secure transportation of life-saving medical supplies and organs, and uncrewed search and rescue UAVs with consistent ‘always connected’ communications to maximize the potential of mission success. There are also multiple applications in the agriculture industry, as well as for safety scanning on oil rigs, and the technology has a significant application in aircraft battling wildfires.
Following the strategic alliance between the companies, the LECO-SOLARIS solution is currently undergoing DO-160 certification and supplemental type certification on aircraft. For businesses set to benefit from this innovation, LECO-SOLARIS is available to order today, with deliveries commencing later in the year.
Gilson Motta, President and CEO at Avionics Network, said: “We’re excited to embark on this new relationship with Viasat, a company with a consistently robust satellite network, to power our next-generation multi-link LECO-SOLARIS solution. Together, our high performance, small and light communications solutions will increase the critical uses of uncrewed vehicles for safety, surveillance, search and rescue, and more. We’re excited to be working with Viasat to unlock new opportunities for the industry.”
Joel Klooster, SVP Flight Safety and Advanced Air Mobility at Viasat, said: “We’re excited to welcome Avionics Networks as our latest Velaris alliance member, to support our mission to drive innovation through connectivity in the AAM industry. This relationship demonstrates the ever-developing capabilities of the Velaris network and prioritizes certification – as well as showcases the revolutionary capabilities of commercial UAVs through safe, reliable, connectivity. We’re looking forward to expanding this impact as this technology achieves certification and becomes globally available, and to enabling yet more innovation in the AAM industry.”
