Inmarsat’s system allows drones to fly safely beyond-visual-line-of-sight

Satellite company Inmarsat Group Holdings Ltd. says that it has developed a way to fly civil drones safely hundreds of miles beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS).

Drones could  fly safely beyond-visual-line-of-sight Inmarsat says

The ability to fly civil drones safely hundreds of miles beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) may enable mass adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles in industries such as transportation, inspection, search and rescue, energy, infrastructure, and defense.

Both in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States drones have to be flown within visual-line-of-sight unless a special waiver has been acquired. However, Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has indicated that it’s ready to loosen up the line-of-sight and the one-user-one-drone rules if somebody is able to develop a communication system that removes the risk of crashes, according to an article in Bloomberg.

Satellite company Inmarsat has partnered with the drone air traffic management startup Altitude Angel Ltd. to equip drones with a global satellite connection when land-based communication is not available.

David Tait, the acting head of the CAA’s Innovation Team said that everyday drone flight beyond a visual line of sight would be a ‘game-changer’.

As drones have increased remarkably in popularity over recent years, aviation regulators have been slow to follow and cautious in loosening up their rules. The ability for drones to fly safely beyond-visual-line-of-sight would open up many opportunities across different industries.

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Photo: Bloomberg