As a world leader in global mobile satellite communications, Inmarsat is launching its advanced new Velaris connectivity solution, which is uniquely positioned to serve as a catalyst for the safe and rapid growth of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) industry.
Powered by Inmarsat’s ELERA global satellite network, Velaris will provide secure communications for commercial UAVs to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and seamlessly integrate with aircraft in commercial airspace. It allows operators to send their UAVs on long distance flights and access various applications, such as real-time monitoring, to ensure safe integration with other air traffic. Velaris also allows a single pilot to remotely operate multiple UAVS at scale, making operations more commercially viable.
With the commercial UAV market projected to increase from $2.32 billion in 2021 to $11.29 billion in 2028, the sector will have a far-reaching impact on business and society. UAVs offer multiple benefits in terms of cargo delivery, urban transport and surveillance to emergency services and disaster relief, including the supply of critical items such as medicine, test kits and food for remote communities. As well as unlocking unprecedented new digital automation capabilities within the UAV industry, Velaris will also reduce the overall cost of operations. It will also support the transport of people and goods in an environmentally friendly manner.
“Commercial UAVs have the potential to revolutionise a vast array of different industries throughout the world,” said Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat’s Senior Director of UAVs and UTM. “However, to truly unlock their potential on a commercial scale, it is imperative that autonomous vehicles and unmanned aviation are safely and securely integrated into managed commercial airspace. That’s exactly what Velaris, as Inmarsat’s first global UAV connectivity solution, will deliver.”
Explaining that Velaris will continue to develop and evolve alongside the UAV industry and Inmarsat’s brand new ORCHESTRA communications network of the future, Spouncer added: “We work with our global partner ecosystem to develop UAV terminals that deliver smaller, more cost effective multi datalink solutions.” These he said, “are optimised for a wide range of use cases so that our customers can always have the highest possible standard of connectivity.” He also noted that the launch of Velaris, so soon after the launch of the company’s ORCHESTRA and ELERA “truly emphasises Inmarsat’s long-term commitment to the commercial UAV market.”
