Products Avionics
Honeywell offers compact SATCOM for unmanned and small aerial vehicles

Honeywell made a breakthrough in compact satellite communications technology to three of Pipistrel’s new aircraft, including the fixed-wing Surveyor and both unmanned Nuuva platforms, the V300 and smaller V20.

Honeywell’s Small UAV SATCOM system is 30 per cent lighter than competing options, customizable, and can be installed in different locations on an aircraft to accommodate a wide range of platforms. Weighing in at only 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), the UAV SATCOM system is 90 per cent lighter than the company’s next smallest connectivity system, but offers the same capabilities to the Nuuva V300, V20 and Surveyor. Honeywell’s innovation will be implemented specifically on an unmanned cargo or optionally manned aerial vehicle.

Stéphane Fymat, the vice president and general manager, Unmanned Aerial Systems and Urban Air Mobility at Honeywell Aerospace feels that Honeywell’s small UAV SATCOM system is a “game-changer” as now they have access to global connectivity or fleet monitoring that’s packaged in a size that is conducive to a much smaller aerial vehicle.

The system provides unmanned aerial vehicles with global coverage and real-time video streaming to the ground. It also enables beyond-line-of-sight capabilities, so vehicles can be operated remotely beyond the operator’s visual sight. It can be used for a variety of applications, including logistics and delivery services performed by UAVs. Also, the Small UAV SATCOM can keep vehicles connected even in remote areas or over water where other ground-based communications systems, such as 4G, are not available.

The Surveyor aircraft uses a fixed-wing design that is designed to be customized with various sensors and cameras for use in applications like wildlife management, coastal patrol, traffic observation, or search and rescue efforts.

Honeywell is a major player in the emerging Urban Air Mobility segment, offering a full line of avionics, flight control, navigation, radar, communications, actuation, cooling, motors, and turbo-electric propulsion systems — all tailored for piloted vertical takeoff and landing, urban air mobility and unmanned cargo vehicles. Honeywell also offers aerospace integration and certification expertise for enabling the commercialization of these vehicles.

For more information on Honeywell’s advanced solutions, visit the UAS/UAM page on the Honeywell Aerospace website.