U.S. Navy to Fund Solar Drones With Beyond 5G Connectivity

The U.S. Navy Command has commissioned work on the latest Perpetual Flight drone equipped with Beyond 5G connectivity.

To accomplish this, Skydweller Aero has signed a contract with the U.S. Navy under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Nokia Federal Solutions is participating in the project as a partner.

The main goal of the collaboration is to develop and demonstrate an airborne Beyond 5G communication hub capable of providing secure and resilient connectivity in challenging conditions – including areas without infrastructure or during operations in hazardous environments.

The project is called “Intelligent Radio Access Network for Resilient Beyond 5G Tactical Systems.”

It involves the use of the innovative Skydweller Perpetual Flight unmanned aircraft, which can remain airborne almost continuously thanks to solar energy. At the same time, the drone includes space for a pilot if needed.

A mobile 5G Network-in-a-Box system will be installed on board the drone, providing rapid deployment of communications in remote areas where no ground networks are available.

This solution ensures a reliable, low-latency connection, essential for real-time operational activities.

According to Skydweller Aero CEO Robert Miller, the program demonstrates how autonomous aircraft can provide faster, more flexible, and more cost-efficient connectivity while reducing the complexity of network systems.

A key element of the project is the integration of Nokia Federal’s Banshee Flex Radio system – a secure, private 5G platform designed for military use.

It provides resilient and adaptive tactical communications for both manned and unmanned systems.

Through this project, Skydweller Aero and Nokia Federal aim to redefine approaches to airborne 5G connectivity, creating the foundation for deploying secure, high-speed networks in maritime and interagency operations.

The new contract with the U.S. Navy paves the way for the creation of mobile airborne communication networks capable of supporting operations anywhere – from vast ocean areas to isolated regions with no ground infrastructure.