In a groundbreaking achievement for the aviation and telecommunications industries, an advanced airborne 5G connectivity system has been successfully integrated into a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft. The system, designed to restore networks in the wake of major disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, has completed a series of demonstration flights, showcasing its potential to revolutionise emergency communications.
The cutting-edge technology is being developed by a consortium of UK-based companies led by Stratospheric Platforms Limited (SPL), headquartered in Cambridge. The project’s design, integration, and demonstration flights were carried out by Britten-Norman at their Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight.
SPL’s airborne antennas are engineered to deliver wide-scale, high-performance 5G coverage, particularly in scenarios where traditional mobile infrastructure has been disrupted. The technology’s ability to rapidly re-establish networks could prove invaluable in disaster-stricken areas, offering a lifeline when communication is most critical.
On July 18, 2024, potential customers and investors gathered at Britten-Norman’s aircraft maintenance facility at Solent Airport to witness the installation and performance of the 5G system under real flight conditions. Conducted by Britten-Norman’s Flight Test Organisation, the trial aimed to validate the aircraft’s ability to operate safely with the large 5G phased array antenna installed. The flight test program thoroughly assessed the aircraft’s performance and handling, covering both standard and emergency operations. Successful completion of these tests paves the way for full certification of the system, which is expected to integrate seamlessly into terrestrial telecom networks, providing connection speeds of up to 200Mbps over a vast area of 15,000 km².
The BN2T-4S Islander variant was selected for this project due to its robust design, all-weather capability, endurance, and impressive payload capacity. The aircraft’s modular architecture makes it ideally suited for integrating large mission system payloads while maintaining the flexibility to switch between various operational roles.
Looking ahead, the project will enter its next phase, which involves demonstrating the technology by connecting it to a private, UK-based national 5G telecommunications network. This step will further validate the system’s capabilities and its readiness for deployment in real-world scenarios.
Richard Deakin, CEO of Stratospheric Platforms Limited, expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s potential. “Stratospheric Platforms is dedicated to creating pioneering innovative solutions that transform the connectivity landscape. 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. We believe that our cutting-edge technology will provide unprecedented opportunities for global communication and create a more connected and inclusive world. Today’s flight test is an important step in the continuing validation of our technology breakthroughs.”
Dr. Garnet Ridgway, Head of Flight Dynamics at Britten-Norman, highlighted the significance of the successful tests. “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. It’s always satisfying to deliver a safe and effective flight test program, but the huge potential of SPL’s system and the collaborative nature of the team made this one particularly exciting. The large and complex nature of the system places significant demands on the host aircraft. However, the BN2T-4S performed admirably; the combination of payload capacity, endurance, climb performance, twin-engine reliability, robustness, and electrical power generation makes it unbeatable for this mission.”
This successful integration marks a significant step forward in the development of airborne 5G technology, with promising implications for future disaster response and connectivity in remote areas.
