Insitu Expands Integrator UAS Capabilities with P-LEO Satellite Control for Extended Range

Insitu, a Boeing Company, announces new Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) SATCOM control for its Integrator UAS, enabling a 2,000 nautical mile range and 27.5 hours of endurance By Sarah Simpson / 11 Nov 2024
Insitu Expands Integrator UAS Capabilities with P-LEO Satellite Control for Extended Range
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Insitu, based in Bingen, Washington, has integrated Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) into its battle-tested Integrator Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS).

This advancement provides a significant boost to Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) control, allowing the Integrator to achieve a point-to-point range of up to 2,000 nautical miles with an endurance of 27.5 hours, surpassing competitors in its class.

Integrator UAS with P-LEO SATCOM Control

The newly added P-LEO SATCOM capability allows operators to control Integrator from anywhere worldwide. This complements the existing Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) SATCOM, giving end users enhanced flexibility for BLOS missions.

The P-LEO system does not occupy any of the Integrator’s six payload bays, preserving its capacity for over 1,000 multi-intelligence configurations, including:

  • Communications relay
  • Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • multi-spectral optics
  • AI-assisted wide-area search
  • Kinetics

With 40lb of field-swappable payloads across six bays, it is one of the most flexible and capable UAS in its class.

“We are excited to bring this game-changing capability to the battle-tested Integrator UAS platform,” said Insitu Vice President of Engineering, Programs and Flight, Justin Pearce. “With a range of 2,000 nautical miles, Integrator can easily fly from Guam to Okinawa in one sortie and operate from small naval vessels anywhere in the vast INDOPACOM theater. This is the type of capability Combatant Commanders have been waiting for, and Integrator offers a lower cost, attritable, persistent long range ISR option when flying large Group 5 UAS is too risky or too expensive,” he added.

Capable of operating from smaller naval platforms and in austere environments, the Integrator UAS, already proven in GPS-contested and extreme climates, is currently being further weatherized for operations in the Arctic and High North.

Insitu’s robust suite of control and data processing solutions includes INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, and an open-architecture Common Ground Control System, catering to diverse mission requirements.

Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES)

Insitu’s current UAS product line includes ScanEagle and Integrator, both VTOL-capable with FLARES (Flying Launch and Recovery System) VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and) kit, which enables launch and recovery from small ship decks in gusty winds and heavy seas, as well as from expeditionary land sites. Unlike tail-sitter aircraft, FLARES VTOL system does not need operators to hold the UAS on launch or catch the UAS on recovery, ensuring maximum safety.

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Posted by Sarah Simpson Specialising in digital copy Sarah is an experienced copywriter and researcher. Working with Unmanned Systems Technology Sarah has developed a passion for sourcing unique digital content and a talent for writing about the latest technical innovations in the unmanned sector. Connect & Contact