The USV Maxlimer (Photo: SEA KIT)

Inmarsat completed a key maritime connectivity installation in collaboration with un-crewed surface vessel (USV) technology company SEA-KIT International. The U.K. satellite operator said the installation uses virtualized networks that aim to establish higher standards for over-the-horizon USV control.

The installation connects the SEA-KIT International USV Maxlimer to available Inmarsat networks at all times by switching between Fleet LTE, Global Xpress (GX) and FleetBroadband services when out of range. Inmarsat believes this combination will set new standards in continuous connectivity to serve a broader range of USV situations and support the next phase of SEA-KIT technology trials, which started in September off the coast of Plymouth, United Kingdom.

SEA-KIT, also based in the United Kingdom, has been running remotely controlled demonstrations for maritime defense, security and commercial stakeholders from its base in Tollesbury, Essex. In inaccessible areas, USVs aim to bring the benefits of completing tasks faster, more efficiently and with reduced risk to personnel than conventional crewed vessels.

“SEA-KIT is delighted to trial seamless switching and to work with Inmarsat to increase data capabilities in developing over-the-horizon control capability, once again pushing the boundaries of our USV design,” Ashley Skett, operations director for SEA-KIT International, said in a statement.