Top shot of a military UAV or drone (Bayraktar TB2) armed with missiles and flying over forest area with the ground blurred

Autonomous Systems

Global Connectivity For Every Autonomous Mission

From small, uncrewed aircraft operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) to advanced automated systems on crewed platforms, aviation autonomy requires continuous awareness and secure communication. But autonomy still depends on one essential factor: reliable connectivity.

With truly global coverage, Iridium keeps autonomous aerial assets connected anywhere—enabling command and control, sensor data transmission, and health monitoring in even the most remote, inhospitable environments.

Talk to an Expert

Worldwide Coverage

Dependable connectivity at any altitude, in any airspace, under any weather conditions. No ground infrastructure required.

Efficient Operations

Real-time updates for navigation, routing, and mission data help autonomous aircraft stay on schedule and adapt to changing conditions.

Safety & Compliance

Supports BVLOS operations and can assist with regulatory requirements, including FAA AC 107-2 and emerging standards for uncrewed aircraft integration.

Scalable Design

Hardware options scale from low-power modules for small UAS to higher-bandwidth solutions for advanced platforms—accelerating deployment and integration.

An orange Boreal UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) with sensors and a propeller flies above green mountain peaks under a partly cloudy sky, with the ocean visible in the distance.

We deliver low-latency, weather-resilient satellite communications that autonomous aviation systems need to operate safely, efficiently, and beyond the horizon.

Exploring a vast landscape with a fixed-wing drone, showcasing its efficiency and long-range capability in aerial surveys and geographic mapping for precise environmental analysis.

Proven & Reliable Connectivity

We enable autonomous flight for organizations operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

• Trusted for UAS delivery, surveillance, and remote data collection missions.

• Integrated through a global ecosystem of more than 500 partner solutions.

• Weather-resilient, low-latency connectivity ensures mission data flows—even far beyond terrestrial networks.

See How Iridium Supports Aviation

The Critical Role of SATCOM in Autonomous Flight

From real-time anomaly monitoring to remote commands and mission data return, autonomous aircraft rely on robust, secure communication—especially when operating beyond visual line of sight. Iridium’s global, weather-resilient network provides the backbone for these capabilities, ensuring signal continuity wherever missions go.

Read the Article Learn More about Autonomous Systems