Inmarsat has launched an advanced connectivity solution, Velaris, for the safe and rapid growth of the UAV industry within the commercial airspace.

Inmarsat Velaris

Powered by the Inmarsat global satellite network, Velaris will provide secure communications for commercial UAVs to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and seamlessly integrate with aircraft in commercial airspace. Backed by military-grade cybersecurity, it allows operators to send their UAVs on long-distance flights and access various applications, such as real-time monitoring, to ensure safe integration with other air traffic. In addition, Velaris allows a single pilot to remotely operate multiple UAVs at scale, making operations more commercially viable.

Anthony Spouncer, Senior Director of UAVs and Unmanned Traffic Management, said: “Inmarsat’s unparalleled experience in air traffic management and aviation safety, combined with our established track record in civil and military UAV communications, ensures that we can support global regulators, air navigation service providers and UAV operators with seamless airspace integration. In addition, thanks to our ambitious and fully-funded technology roadmap, including our brand new ORCHESTREA communications network of the future, Velaris will continue to develop and evolve alongside the UAV industry, remaining its gold standard connectivity solution for decades to come.”

Inmarsat has also released a Pop-Up Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Platform, developed with Altitude Angel. Inmarsat is well-integrated in the air traffic management industry as a consortium member of Cranfield University’s recently opened Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC). The company participates in several projects including the UK Government funded Project HEART (Hydrogen Electric and Automated Regional Transportation), which is developing the country’s first automated, zero carbon regional air transportation network – and Airspace of the Future (AoF) – which focuses on integrating UAV services with the wider UK transport ecosystem.