UK stratospheric 5G trial will link to Islander aircraft

Led by Cambridge’s Stratospheric Platforms Limited (SPL), the consortium is aiming to deliver 5G connectivity from several miles above the Earth via an unmanned, liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft with a 56m wingspan. The lightweight structure combined with the power source should enable the HAP to remain in the stratosphere for up to a week at a time.

Beginning in July 2024, SPL’s system will be tested using a turbine-powered BN2T-4S Islander variant. The trial will be conducted under Britten-Norman’s Civil Aviation Authority test conditions.

“We are delighted to be working with Britten-Norman on this programme,” said Kevin Bean, chief technical officer at SPL. “The Islander is a great workhorse for this kind of engineering because it can be rapidly and extensively modified to accommodate our equipment.

“The role-based type of mission which can readily be executed by the Islander, combined with the stability of the platform, is ideal for a programme where telecommunication trials require predictable performance.”

Britten-Norman will operate the aircraft from its Solent Airport aircraft maintenance (MRO) facility, with the mission taking place over the North Sea. The 5G phased array will be linked via a backhaul link to the Adastral Tower in Suffolk, from which the telecommunications and mission equipment will operate.

“This is a great opportunity to demonstrate the full capabilities of both Britten-Norman as an accomplished trials organisation and the Turbine Islander as a highly capable trials aircraft,” said Garnet Ridgway, flight test engineer at Britten-Norman.

“The project requires a test platform that can be easily modified; the BN2T-4S Islander has a combination of payload capacity, endurance, climb performance, twin engine reliability, robustness and electrical power generation that makes it unbeatable for this mission.”