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The U.S. Navy Advances in Aerial Technology by Developing, with Skydweller and Nokia Federal, an Autonomous Solar Drone That Can Stay in the Air for 90 Days Providing 5G Internet to Troops in Remote Areas
The United States Navy has announced an innovative plan to create a solar-powered drone capable of staying in the air for up to 90 days, aimed at providing 5G internet to troops in hard-to-reach areas. The project is being developed by Skydweller Aero in partnership with Nokia Federal Solutions and is part of the U.S. Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
Airborne Network Beyond 5G
The contract calls for the demonstration of an aerial communications hub “Beyond 5G,” aimed at ensuring secure and resilient connectivity in locations where terrestrial infrastructure is nonexistent or compromised. The initiative, called “Smart Radio Access Network for Resilient Tactical Networks Beyond 5G,” will use the Perpetual Flight aircraft — a solar-powered model from Skydweller — as an airborne node that will host a 5G Network-in-a-Box system.
The goal is to create fast and easily deployable communication networks that support the Navy’s naval and joint operations in restricted access zones. According to Robert Miller, CEO of Skydweller Aero, “this program demonstrates how Skydweller’s autonomous aircraft can provide faster and more flexible connectivity, reducing costs and complexity.”
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Technology and Strategic Integration
The system developed combines Nokia Federal’s Banshee Flex Radio platform with the solar aircraft’s structure. This private 5G platform is designed to maintain persistent and adaptable communications for both manned and unmanned systems.
The configuration transforms the drone into a high-altitude aerial communications center, extending tactical data and network coverage over vast marine areas.
The project reinforces the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) strategy, which focuses on keeping dispersed yet interconnected forces in extensive ocean regions. Additionally, the initiative aligns with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) program, which seeks to integrate sensors, shooters, and command centers into a single connected system.
Autonomy and Sustainability
Skydweller’s aircraft are made with lightweight carbon fiber and have a wingspan similar to that of a Boeing 747. Designed for perpetual and autonomous flights, they can remain in continuous operation for 30 to 90 days, relying solely on solar energy. Each unit is capable of carrying up to 800 pounds of payload, allowing for the accommodation of communication equipment, sensors, and advanced surveillance systems.
According to the company, these features make the drone suitable for various missions, such as combating piracy and smuggling, monitoring conflicts, surveilling contested naval areas, and environmental protection in isolated regions, including remote parts of Africa.
Alternative to Satellites
With the integration of technologies beyond 5G, the U.S. Navy will be able to significantly expand its coverage capability in extensive maritime areas without solely relying on satellites or vulnerable terrestrial networks. In conflict scenarios, the solar drone may also serve as a backup alternative for damaged communication systems, maintaining the flow of strategic data between units and command centers.
The new contract signed by Skydweller Aero marks a significant advancement in the use of sustainable aircraft for military purposes. By combining autonomous flight and clean energy with next-generation mobile networks, the partnership with Nokia Federal demonstrates the potential to create a lasting, secure, and low-cost aerial infrastructure for modern operations that require continuous and long-range connectivity.
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