An advanced airborne 5G connectivity system has been successfully integrated into a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, completing a series of demonstration flights.

The groundbreaking technology is being developed by a number of UK companies led by non-terrestrial networks telecoms developer Stratospheric Platforms (SPL), with design, integration and demonstration flights provided by Britten-Norman.

SPL is at the forefront of developing airborne antennas to deliver wide-scale high performance 5G coverage. This technology offers numerous valuable applications, such as quickly restoring networks after major disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis, where traditional mobile network infrastructure has been disrupted.

On 18 July, 2024 the project team were joined by distinguished guests from potential customers and investors to observe the installation of the array under real flight conditions during an event at Britten-Norman's Solent airport MRO facility. The trial, conducted by Britten-Norman's flight test organisation, 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 15,000sq km.

The turboprop BN2T-4S Islander variant was chosen for its robust design, all-weather capability, exceptional endurance and payload capacity. In addition, the aircraft's modular design makes it an ideal platform for integration of large mission system payloads, while retaining a rapid re-role capability for other taskings.

The next phase of the project involves demonstrating the technology via a connection to a private UK-based national 5G telecommunications network.

This innovative project represents a significant leap forward in airborne telecommunications, bringing reliable, high-speed 5G connectivity from the sky one step closer to fruition.

SPL CEO Richard Deakin says: “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 revolutionise 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, adds: “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.”