Boeing, Gogo test satellite-linked military drone to challenge Starlink

Key facts

• Boeing's Insitu and Gogo Special Missions tested a military drone using satellite communications.
• The system uses Gogo's Galileo HDX antenna integrated onto Insitu's Integrator drone.
• The Integrator drone is a mid-sized uncrewed aircraft used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
• The system will provide high-speed global internet through Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit satellite network.
• The system will not be subject to US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), easing exports.
• Concerns exist among European governments and the Pentagon about over-reliance on Starlink.

Boeing's drone subsidiary Insitu and aviation Wi-Fi provider Gogo have successfully tested a military drone utilizing satellite communications, a move that underscores growing efforts by governments and defense firms to reduce their dependence on Elon Musk's Starlink. The test involved integrating a modified version of Gogo's Galileo HDX antenna onto Insitu's Integrator drone, a mid-sized uncrewed aircraft commonly used by military customers for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Drone warfare has become a critical component of military strategy, particularly following its extensive use in conflicts such as Russia's war in Ukraine and various engagements in the Middle East. As military forces aim to extend the operational range of drones, enhance their resilience against jamming, and execute more complex missions, they are increasingly turning to satellite networks like Starlink as an alternative to traditional line-of-sight radio links.

The Gogo and Insitu system is designed to provide the Integrator drone with high-speed global internet connectivity through Eutelsat OneWeb's low-Earth-orbit satellite network. A key advantage highlighted by the companies is that the system will not be subject to US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which is expected to facilitate exports to international customers. John Kelly, Insitu's vice president of growth, stated that this ITAR-free, high-speed SATCOM option is an essential capability for their global clients, enabling extended command-and-control ranges and faster transmission of battlefield sensor data.

While Gogo and Insitu have not disclosed a timeline for the system's deployment, SpaceX's Starlink and its secure government-focused service, Starshield, have become significant revenue streams for the company. However, concerns have been voiced by European governments and some within the Pentagon regarding an over-reliance on Starlink, which currently operates a constellation of satellites far larger than those of its competitors.