An advanced airborne 5G connectivity system has been successfully integrated into a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft after the completion of a series of demonstration flights. A group of British companies led by Stratospheric Platforms Ltd. (SPL), a non-terrestrial networks telecoms developer, is developing the technology, with UK OEM Britten-Norman overseeing the design, integration, and demonstration flights.
SPL seeks to develop airborne antennas to deliver widescale high-performance 5G coverage. The technology has various uses, such as quickly restoring networks after major disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis, where traditional mobile network infrastructure has been disrupted.
Key aspects of the flight test program included assessment of aircraft performance and handling qualities, covering both normal and emergency operations. According to Britten-Norman, the flight test program will support the system's full certification and enable integration in terrestrial communications systems with connection speeds reaching 200 Mbps over 15,000 square kilometers.
The turboprop BN2T-4S Islander variant was chosen for its robust design, all-weather capability, exceptional endurance, and payload capacity. For the next phase of the project, the team will demonstrate the technology by connecting it to a private UK-based national 5G telecommunications network.
“Stratospheric Platforms is dedicated to creating pioneering innovative solutions that transform the connectivity landscape," said SPL CEO Richard Deakin. "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."
“This project demonstrates the full capabilities of both Britten-Norman as an accomplished trials organization and the turboprop Islander as a highly capable trials aircraft. Working closely with our partners, the project includes deliverables from our design, manufacture, MRO, flight test and flight operations teams," added Garnet Ridgway, head of flight dynamics at Britten-Norman.