Airspan Partners with Space Compass to Bring 5G Connectivity to High-Altitude Maritime Surveillance

The collaboration will enable a new generation of persistent maritime domain awareness from the stratosphere.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Airspan Networks Holdings LLC, a leading global provider of wireless network solutions, announced plans to deploy a 5G Air-to-Ground (ATG) communications system for Space Compass's High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). The project will demonstrate how 5G connectivity from 16–18 km altitude can deliver secure command-and-control and real-time mission data between a HAPS aircraft and ground stations up to 300 km away, supporting persistent monitoring of shipping lanes, coastal regions, and remote ocean areas.

Why it matters

This collaboration between Airspan and Space Compass aims to unlock powerful new applications for high-altitude aviation and wide-area maritime surveillance by extending reliable broadband connectivity into the stratosphere. The 5G ATG technology can enable a new class of persistent maritime domain awareness that supports security, safety, and environmental protection.

The details

Airspan's 5G In-Motion ATG technology will provide high-speed data rates, wide-area maritime coverage, and continuous 360-degree connectivity through advanced beam-forming and high-gain antenna systems. The system includes airborne radios and antennas, onboard 5G processing units, and a full ground-based 5G RAN, core network, and management system - all optimized for the power, weight, and environmental requirements of stratospheric flight. After extensive laboratory and pre-flight testing, the system will be validated for light plane operations in 2026 in advance of stratospheric flight trials in 2027.

  • The project will be validated for light plane operations in 2026.
  • Stratospheric flight trials are planned for 2027.

The players

Airspan Networks Holdings LLC

A leading global provider of wireless network solutions, headquartered in Plano, Texas.

Space Compass

A company developing High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) technology for maritime domain awareness.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This collaboration brings together Space Compass's vision for high-altitude maritime surveillance with Airspan's leadership in 5G Air-to-Ground technology.”

— Yasuhiko Morita, CTO of Space Compass

“Airspan is proud to support this groundbreaking HAPS program with our 5G ATG platform. Our technology is designed to deliver carrier-grade performance in some of the most demanding environments, and this project demonstrates how 5G can unlock powerful new applications for high-altitude aviation and wide-area surveillance.”

— Henrik Smith-Petersen, Chief Sales Officer at Airspan

What’s next

After extensive laboratory and pre-flight testing, the system will be validated for light plane operations in 2026 in advance of stratospheric flight trials in 2027.

The takeaway

This collaboration between Airspan and Space Compass aims to extend reliable 5G connectivity into the stratosphere, enabling a new class of persistent maritime domain awareness that can support security, safety, and environmental protection efforts across shipping lanes, coastal regions, and remote ocean areas.