US Navy’s 90-day solar drone could beam 5G to troops in denied zones

The US Navy has contracted Skydweller Aero, in partnership with Nokia Federal Solutions, to develop a solar-powered drone capable of remaining airborne for 90 days to serve as a high-altitude communications hub. This drone will host a “Beyond 5G” Network-in-a-Box system designed to provide secure, resilient 5G connectivity and tactical data coverage in contested or infrastructure-limited environments. The initiative supports the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations strategy by enabling widely dispersed forces to maintain connectivity across large ocean areas and aligns with the Department of Defense’s Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) goals to integrate sensors, shooters, and command centers across military domains. Skydweller’s drone, constructed from lightweight carbon fiber with a wingspan comparable to a Boeing 747, can carry up to 800 pounds of payload, including advanced communications and sensor equipment. Powered entirely by solar energy, it can sustain flight for 30 to 90 days or longer, offering a