Boeing's Insitu and Gogo Successfully Test ITAR-Free Drone Satellite System

Boeing's drone unit, Insitu, and aviation connectivity provider Gogo announced Tuesday the successful testing of a satellite communications system on a military drone. The collaboration provides a high-speed, global internet capability that is not subject to U.S. export restrictions, potentially broadening its market appeal to international clients.

Technology and Testing

The test involved outfitting Insitu’s Integrator drone, a mid-sized uncrewed aircraft used for surveillance and reconnaissance, with a modified version of the Gogo Galileo HDX antenna. This system connects to the Eutelsat OneWeb low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite network, providing the drone with robust, high-speed connectivity.

The partnership was between Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing (NYSE:BA), and Gogo Special Missions, the government and military division of Gogo (NASDAQ:GOGO). The use of Eutelsat OneWeb's network underscores a growing trend among defense contractors to diversify satellite communication options beyond established providers like Starlink.

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Strategic Implications

A key feature of the new system is that it is not subject to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which control the export of defense-related technology. This ITAR-free status simplifies the process of selling the advanced drone capability to allied nations and global military customers.

"Adding an ITAR-free, high-speed SATCOM option is an essential capability for our global customers," said John Kelly, Insitu’s vice president of growth, in a statement. He noted the technology extends the drone's command-and-control range and enables faster transmission of critical sensor data from the field. This addresses a growing military demand for satellite-linked drones that can operate over longer distances and resist jamming.