Airborne UK 5G Mobile Broadband Network Successfully Trialled

A turboprop Britten-Norman Islander (BN2T-4S) aircraft has helped a group of UK companies, led by Stratospheric Platforms (SPL), to complete trials of a new advanced airborne 5G connectivity system that could be used to help extend mobile broadband coverage into remote rural areas or to provide coverage during events/disasters etc.

The goal of this project is ultimately to deliver an unmanned, possibly liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft, designed with a 56-metre wingspan that will, due to its lightweight structure and significant power source, enable a flight endurance of over a week and covering a much wider area from the stratosphere. But first they needed to test the concept, and that’s where the agreement with Britten-Norman came in handy.

On 18th July 2024, the project team were joined by guests from potential customers and investors to observe the installation of the new 5G array under real flight conditions during an event at Britten-Norman’s Solent Airport aircraft maintenance (MRO) facility. The trial aimed to demonstrate the aircraft’s capability to operate safely with the large 5G phased array antenna installed.

Key aspects of the flight test programme included assessment of aircraft performance and handling qualities, covering both normal and emergency operation. This will support full certification of the system, enabling integration in terrestrial telecoms network at connection speeds of up to 200Mbps over 15,000km2 (the broadband speed is greater than the ‘up to 150Mbps’ expressed in earlier studies of the project).

Richard Deakin, CEO at SPL, said:

“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, remarked:

“This project demonstrates the full capabilities of both Britten-Norman as an accomplished trials organisation 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 programme, 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.”

The next phase of the project will involve demonstrating the technology via a connection to a private UK-based national 5G telecommunications network. We suspect this will be EE since the group of companies includes BT and the trials used a 5G phased array that was connected via a backhaul link to the Adastral Tower in Suffolk, England (BT’s site).