SKYTRAC and Embention partner to deliver UAV autopilot system
Communication solutions company SKYTRAC signed a Letter of Intent with autopilot components company Embention to offer the first system supported by Iridium Certus Command-and-Control (C2) within the unmanned segment of aviation
The integration will commence with SKYTRAC’s broadband Integrated Mission System (IMS-350) and the midband Data Link System (DLS-100) as the first Iridium Certus terminals to be integrated with a UAV autopilot system, to send and receive data between ground control stations (GCS) and the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The integration effort will commence with Embention’s Veronte Autopilot 4x, a redundant control system for critical unmanned operations designed for avoiding single points of failure in a miniaturized form factor. The Veronte 4x Autopilot is on schedule to be wholly integrated with SKYTRAC’s Iridium Certus terminals by mid-Q3 of 2021.
By utilizing the Iridium satellite network, SKYTRAC's IMS-350 and DLS-100 with a low-latency communication link will enable Embention with real time C2 capabilities for Beyond Visual Line of Sight flight operations.
Solving an unmet industry need
“We are seeing numerous operators seeking a viable autopilot solution that can leverage the Iridium NEXT constellation,” said Jeff Sherwood, Director of Business Development, SKYTRAC. “Many operators and systems integrators are unable to leverage Iridium Certus bandwidth to enable Command and Control capabilities. Our partnership with Embention will solve an unmet industry need in a rapidly-evolving UAV segment.”
“We are excited to partner with a world leader in satellite communications such as SKYTRAC,” added Javier Espuch, Business Development Manager of Embention. “This partnership will catalyze adoption of Iridium Certus by the UAV industry, and we are excited to be at the forefront of innovation, allowing operators to utilize Iridium Certus to enable Command and Control capabilities.”
SKYTRAC satcom systems will be available in multiple new Airbus helicopter models ranging from the H145 to the H225.
Clara Bullock
Clara Bullock is a writer for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue. Initially a freelance writer for publications ranging from gardening news to music magazines, she has made the transition to writing about the ins and outs of travel insurance and aeromedicine. In her spare time she reviews books on Instagram and eats pasta.