Hughes secures comms deal for SkyGuardian drone

Hughes has been selected by General Atomics to provide satellite communications for a Predator B variant.

Hughes will support the SkyGuardian, a Type-Certifiable Predator B that can safely operate in civilian airspace.

“Hughes is upgrading the aircraft’s satellite communications system with customized airborne Hughes HM series modems,” according to a company news release. “The advanced modems will enable a significant increase in data transfer rates, employing an enhanced waveform that ensures resilient and secure communications when operating in challenging environments.”