Viasat and uAvionix in Partnership to Develop UAV Products

In a major step forward for UAV communications, Viasat has announced a partnership with uAvionix.

This collaboration marks uAvionix's entry into Viasat's Velaris Partner Network, following a strategic alliance agreement aimed at developing innovative products and services for the UAV market.

uAvionix has initiated the integration of Viasat's Velaris module into its muLTElink airborne radio system. This integration harnesses the power of Viasat's global L-band network, which is designed to provide secure, resilient communications for commercial UAVs. A significant feature of Velaris is its ability to enable real-time monitoring for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAV operations and its seamless integration into commercial airspace.

The integration of these technologies represents a leap forward in UAV operational capabilities. uAvionix's innovative system merges multiple data links, including C-band, LTE, ISM, and now Viasat L-band, employing a DO-377A Link Executive Manager (LEM) to monitor and manage each connection. Additionally, the system automatically registers aircraft with uAvionix's SkyLine Cloud Managed BVLOS service.

SkyLine, the first cloud-based command and control network of its kind, integrates fleet management, network health monitoring, and a detect & avoid system. It also facilitates seamless roaming between multiple radio networks and ground stations, enhancing BVLOS safety cases.

During system integration testing in 2023, uAvionix successfully configured and integrated a Velaris development terminal with its SkyLine system, quickly establishing a stable streaming connection. Cyriel Kronenburg, VP of Aviation Networks at uAvionix, highlighted the success of the tests in northern Montana, noting the significant performance enhancement provided by satellite communications when traditional ground-based radios are limited.

Joel Klooster, SVP of Flight Safety and AAM at Viasat, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, "uAvionix is a highly respected and innovative avionics and software company. This partnership formalizes a number of initiatives and programs the two companies are collaborating on, and we look forward to future projects."

This partnership between Viasat and uAvionix is set to drive advancements in UAV technology, enhancing the safety, efficiency, and capability of UAV operations.

FMI: viasat.com