Facebook and Airbus are to develop internet drones together

Both Facebook and Airbus have own projects on internet drones development. Now the companies decided to unite in order to simplify the launch of high-altitude pseudosatellites. The concept of “the flying...

Both Facebook and Airbus have own projects on internet drones development. Now the companies decided to unite in order to simplify the launch of high-altitude pseudosatellites.

The concept of “the flying wing” was used in the developments of the both companies. The body of the apparatus is as light as possible and is supported in the air by wings with a large swing.

Facebook develops Aquila drone. It has already made two trial flights. The second launch in May proved successful. The device is able to fly three months without recharge. One Aquilla device is able to provide up to 80 square kilometers with wireless 30-gigabit Internet.

Pseudosatellies Zephyr from Airbus are able to continue an autonomous flight up to two weeks. Zephyr properties will be used both by civil and military services. The device will be used by British intelligence.

Alphabet, Google belongs to, has created a stratified internet-drone called Loon. Now the network of such devices provides Puerto Rico with LTE connection, whose infrastructure was almost completely destroyed by the hurricane Maria.

With the advent of unmanned aerial vehicles, the updating of international aviation regulations became a necessity. Facebook and Airbusare going to lobby for permission to use more frequencies for pseudosatellites and are to develop amendments to the rules which will simplify the use of drones.

It is still not clear if the companies plan to combine their projects in order to realize their best developments in one device.

The next World Radio Communication Conference is scheduled for October 2019. The companies will speak there and offer jointly developed amendments.

In 2015 the participants of the conference have signed the “Resolution 160” calling to study the requirements in the additional frequencies for pseudosatellites.

Airbus is to open the center for development of drone technologies in the chinese city of Shenzhen. The company promises it will become the new Silicon Valley.