Inmarsat selects Alpha for UAV Pop-up Lab

25th February 2019 - 10:30 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Alpha Unmanned Systems has been selected to participate in Inmarsat’s UAV Pop-up Lab, a programme aimed at exploring the advantages of satellite-enabled UAS with commercial end-users, the company announced on 20 February.

As part of the Pop-up Lab, Alpha Unmanned Systems will integrate the Inmarsat connectivity services using the Cobham Aviator UAV 200 terminal onto its Alpha 800 UAS. The company will work along side six other UAV companies and will carry out a range of missions using Inmarsat’s global satellite network enabling beyond line of sight operations and global resilient C2 capability for safer and more efficient flight operations.

Under the programme, Alpha Unmanned Systems will execute a beyond visual line of sight mission to deliver urgent medical supplies in a limited/no radio-frequency coverage area. The mission will utilise Inmarsat SATCOM to enable long-range control and real-time video streaming from the Alpha 800 tactical helicopter UAS. With an endurance of three hours, the Alpha 800 UAS can cover a wide range of area and its vertical take-off and landing capabilities allow for very precise control during missions.

The Alpha 800 is a tactical gasoline powered UAS capable of carrying a payload of 3kg. It is equipped with a military-grade autopilot with high precision GPS and sensors. The Alpha 800 was originally developed for ISR and can also be used for other services including delivery of urgently supplies.

Trial outcomes will be presented at an event on 30 May 2019 at Inmarsat’s headquarters.

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