Heron AirBridge signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inmarsat’s Velaris Partner Network (VPN) to develop regulatory and operational frameworks and technologies for the safe management of drones in urban environments and complex airspaces. As part of the agreement, Inmarsat will provide Heron AirBridge with its low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) terminals to deliver the secure datalink needed for beyond visible line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. This will be the first application of Velaris technology in the Asia Pacific region.
“Our partnership with Inmarsat is a major step towards increasing UAV integration into the city’s crowded airspace and updating regulations so that our efforts can be replicated worldwide,” said Ryan Lee, CEO and co-founder, Heron AirBridge “Working together, we look to establish Singapore as a world leader in this burgeoning sector, sharing our vision of creating value through the utilisation of low-level airspace globally. Inmarsat was a vital partner in powering the movement with Velaris by ensuring that we are equipped with the core network and datalink capabilities we need to drive UAV integration.”
The two companies intend to co-develop operational standards, frameworks and technologies that will boost the UAV numbers in Singapore’s airspace and serve as a blueprint for future global roll-out.
Joel Klooster, senior vice president of aircraft operations and safety, Inmarsat, added: “Together with Heron, we are creating a blueprint for the integrated airspace of the future. Leveraging Inmarsat’s Velaris technology, coupled with Heron’s regional domain expertise, will ensure operators of airspace and UAVs have the tools needed to drive regulatory acceptance in the region and beyond.”
The companies will strive to combine their unique capabilities and showcase how satellite-based technology can support the safe integration of unmanned aircraft into Singapore’s commercial airspace.
Heron AirBridge is the first unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) technology company in Southeast Asia to successfully build a UTM system capable of managing multiple drone operators.