Thales, Viasat and partners complete Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) connectivity demo
04-21-2026
Representatives from Viasat, Thales, Dimetor, TTP plc, and the European Space Agency during the flight trials at Cranfield University.
LONDON., U.K., April., 21, 2026 – Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, and partners Thales, Dimetor, TTP plc and the European Space Agency (ESA), have completed successful flight trials at Cranfield University using the National Flying Laboratory Centre’s Bulldog light aircraft, as part of the Iris RPAS programme.
The initiative is contributing to a coordinated effort to build real-world evidence around trusted, resilient connectivity for BVLOS uncrewed aircraft operations.
The trial forms part of the wider Iris airspace modernization programme, funded by ESA and industry partners, which is focused on enabling the safe integration of uncrewed aircraft into non‑segregated airspace through trusted communications. Iris brings together partners from across satellite communications, terrestrial networks, surveillance, airspace management, and secure aviation systems to understand how connectivity behaves under representative operational conditions.
The ongoing flight trials are explicitly evidence‑building in nature. They are designed to observe how different connectivity elements can work together within a multi‑link framework, reflecting the environmental and operational complexity expected as BVLOS activity scales.
How trusted multi-link connectivity is evolving for BVLOS operations
As BVLOS operations scale, it is increasingly recognized that extremely reliable command-and-control links are a critical prerequisite for meeting their high operational and safety requirements. ESA Iris RPAS trials explore how multi‑link connectivity models can support continuity, integrity, availability and trust, which are essential to maintaining safe command‑and‑control links and situational awareness in shared airspace.
Thales, as system integrator for Iris, is coordinating the trials to support a structured, safety‑led approach to connectivity evolution. Partners including Viasat, TTP plc, Dimetor and Cranfield University contribute complementary capabilities spanning satellite communications, satcom terminals (TTP) and flight planning support tools (Dimetor), terrestrial networks, and surveillance and airspace intelligence, helping to build a holistic view of trusted connectivity for future operations.
What the Iris RPAS trials show for future uncrewed aviation
“For BVLOS uncrewed operations, safety depends on having a command‑and‑control link that can be trusted wherever the aircraft is operating,” said Joel Klooster, SVP Aircraft Operations and Safety at Viasat. “Satellite communications play a critical role in providing that assurance, particularly beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. Through Iris RPAS, we are working with our partners to build evidence around how satcom can contribute to resilient, safety‑oriented multi‑link architectures that support the next phase of uncrewed aviation.”
These flight trials are one of several activities being delivered through the ESA Iris RPAS programme, each designed to examine connectivity behaviour across different operational scenarios and environments. Together, these trials are building a cumulative evidence base to support collaboration between industry, regulators and airspace stakeholders, helping to inform how trusted, multi‑link communications can safely enable the continued growth of BVLOS uncrewed aviation.
Joel Klooster, SVP Aircraft Operations and Safety at Viasat
Jim Baddoo, Senior Expert at Thales said: “We were delighted to demonstrate our trusted multi-link connectivity solution on a real flight to a live audience, realizing secure and high-availability connectivity in a very dynamic satcom, cellular and C-band radio environment. This was an important step as we mature the system for real-world deployment.”
Thomas Neubauer, CEO & Co-Founder of Dimetor said: “For remotely piloted aircraft systems, situational awareness on knowing where, when and at what quality terrestrial and non‑terrestrial connectivity are available in the airspace is critical to safe and scalable operations. Because automated drone operations are only as safe and reliable as the data they run on, we are very excited that our AirborneRF and AirborneRF HUB solutions are delivering this real-time information to ensure that every decision in remote airspace is accurate, timely, resilient and trustworthy.”
Professor of Space Engineering at Cranfield University, Paul Febvre, said: “Cranfield’s unique digital aviation facilities and expertise in satellite communications and resilient navigation enables partners to undertake exciting trials like this, building knowledge and evidence in complex airspace connectivity. This kind of exercise is vital in developing the case for regulators and industry on future technology integrations”
Martin Wallis, Aviation Programme Lead at TTP plc, said: “A secure, reliable command and control link is essential for BVLOS operations. As part of the IRIS programme, TTP developed low size, weight SWaP-c terminal and antenna technology for Viasat’s Velaris network, designed specifically for UAVs. These terminals provide the critical satcom component of BVLOS connectivity, and we are delighted that these terminals, provided by TTP brand Gotonomi, were able to play a key part in this flight trial.”
Davide Tomassini, Iris Project Implementation Manager at the European Space Agency said: “Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS) operations represent most of the future market value potential in the RPAS domain and they are highly regulated. The Satcom Iris service and infrastructure, certified and operationally used for Air Traffic Management in commercial aviation, also plays a key role in meeting the stringent level of safety and security performances required by the regulators. BVLoS operations are a critical step towards the future of Urban Air Mobility for the transport of people and goods within cities and nearby regions.”
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are — on the ground, in the air or at sea — while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Bluesky Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
Copyright © 2026 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered in the U.S and in other countries to Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Richard Jones, External Communications, Corporate & Commercial Services, Richard.jones@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.
The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies. Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.
About Dimetor
Dimetor bridges the data gap between communication service providers, CSPs, and the aviation ecosystem, transforming network intelligence into safety critical insights for autonomous air and ground operations. Through its AirborneRF platform and complementary technologies, Dimetor enables reliable BVLOS drone connectivity, real time airspace awareness, ground risk intelligence, and GNSS resilience – empowering regulators, operators, and infrastructure providers to plan, scale, and secure connected airspace with confidence. For more information, visit dimetor.com
About Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university with globally renowned expertise in science, technology, engineering and management. We deliver applied research that has real-world impact – 88% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021).
Our innovative education is enhanced by large-scale facilities and global industry partnerships. Cranfield is one of the few universities in the world to have its own airport – our global research airport is a unique environment for research. We are a six-time winner of the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest national honour for educational institutions.
Cranfield formed in 1946 as the College of Aeronautics, the first postgraduate college of its kind. The School of Management was founded in 1967.
Email: mediarelations@cranfield.ac.uk
About TTP plc
TTP (ttp.com), a leading technology and product development services company based in the Cambridge (UK) technology cluster, has delivered cutting-edge innovations for over 35 years. Drawing on deep cross-sector expertise, including extensive work in aerospace, TTP partners with global industry leaders to accelerate science and technology-driven breakthroughs. In the space sector, the company specializes in 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), user terminals and antennas for satellite connectivity (including UAVs), satellite payload systems, aviation communications, and government and defence solutions. TTP’s broad experience spans terrestrial and satellite communication technologies, ranging from system-level architecture to device design, across frequencies from VHF to V-band, and extending to land-based, aeronautical, and space-based platforms. Visit: www.ttp.com
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
· Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
· Learn more about ESA’s contribution to Iris at https://connectivity.esa.int/archives/partnership-projects/iris-global