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Skydweller Aero has received a US Navy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, in partnership with Nokia Federal Solutions, to demonstrate an airborne “Beyond 5G” communication hub designed to provide secure, resilient connectivity in contested and infrastructure-limited environments. The “Intelligent Radio Access Network for Beyond 5G Resilient Tactical Networks” initiative will use Skydweller’s solar-powered Perpetual Flight aircraft as an airborne node hosting a 5G Network-in-a-Box system. 5G to US Navy troops in denied zones The goal is to enable fast, deployable communications networks that support naval and joint operations where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or compromised. “This program demonstrates how Skydweller’s autonomous aircraft can deliver faster, more flexible connectivity while reducing cost and complexity,” said Robert Miller, CEO of Skydweller Aero, in a statement announcing the contract. The system integrates Nokia Federal’s Banshee Flex Radio, a ruggedized 5G private wireless platform that supports persistent and adaptive communications for manned and unmanned systems. The airborne configuration will turn Skydweller’s aircraft into a high-altitude communications hub, extending 5G and tactical data coverage across wide operational areas. This project supports the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) strategy. It focuses on having forces that are spread out but still connected, allowing them to operate across large ocean areas. The project also aligns with the Department of Defense’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) initiative. This initiative connects sensors, shooters, and command centers across all military areas. By combining autonomous flight endurance with next-generation networking technology, the companies hope to demonstrate a new mobile, persistent connectivity that can bridge communication gaps in maritime, remote, or denied environments. Solar drone that flies for 90 days Skydweller’s aircraft are built from lightweight carbon fiber and feature a wingspan comparable to a Boeing 747. Designed for uncrewed perpetual flight, they can remain airborne for 30 to 90 days or longer, powered entirely by solar energy. Each platform can carry up to 800 pounds of payload, including advanced communications, surveillance, and sensor packages. The company states that the aircraft can carry heavy loads and stay in the air for long. This makes it suitable for many missions. These include stopping piracy and smuggling, monitoring conflicts, watching naval activities in disputed waters, and protecting wildlife in remote areas like Africa. Integrating Beyond 5G capabilities aboard such long-endurance platforms for the Navy could enable continuous coverage across large maritime theaters without relying on satellites or vulnerable ground-based networks. In potential conflict scenarios, such an airborne network could serve as a resilient backup or extension of existing communication systems. Skydweller Aero has reached an important milestone with a new contract. The company promotes its solar-powered aircraft as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to satellites and crewed surveillance planes. By working with Nokia Federal, Skydweller Aero aims to show how its aircraft can provide fast, reliable communications over long distances. This capability is essential for modern military operations that rely on distributed resources.
