Textron Inc.
NETWORK FOR ENABLING BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT AIRCRAFT COMMAND AND CONTROL COMMUNICATIONS

Abstract:

One embodiment is an apparatus comprising an aircraft and an aerial network communications system associated with the aircraft. The network communications system may comprise an antenna physically connected to an outside surface of the aircraft; and a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna. The aerial network communications system receives signals from and transmits signals to an unmanned aerial vehicle ("UAV") via a communications network comprising a control station and a plurality of airborne network nodes.