Kymeta partners with Red Cat to deliver beyond-line-of-sight comms for USVs

Red Cat Holdings has announced that Kymeta, a world-leading flat-panel satellite terminal manufacturer, has joined the Red Cat Futures Initiative, the company’s industry-wide consortium accelerating advanced autonomous systems for modern warfare.

Red Cat’s maritime division Blue Ops will integrate Kymeta’s communications technology into its Variant 7 uncrewed surface vessel (USV). The integration supports communications on the move for autonomous maritime operations, enabling systems to maintain connectivity while operating at distance and across dynamic environments.

This partnership highlights Kymeta’s ability to deliver truly resilient, multi-orbit connectivity by seamlessly integrating GEO, LEO and MEO satellite networks to ensure uninterrupted communications in the most demanding environments. With low power consumption, GNSS-denied persistence, and proven performance in highly contested operations, Kymeta provides a differentiated solution that enables mission-critical operations where traditional systems fall short.

“As uncrewed surface vessels take on more complex and distributed missions, reliable connectivity becomes a critical enabler for coordinated operations, including swarming and real-time data sharing,” said Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops, Red Cat’s maritime division. “Integrating Kymeta’s technology into our Variant 7 platform allows us to support these emerging capabilities and deliver USVs that can operate with greater range, coordination, and effectiveness in maritime environments. Multi-layered communication channels also ensure secure and resilient connectivity even with electronic warfare disruption.”

Kymeta’s Intelligent Communications Platforms are designed to provide continuous connectivity for mobile and remote operations. Its solutions integrate satellite and cellular networks and enable communications on the move, with the ability to switch between multiple networks and orbital layers to help maintain connectivity in degraded or contested environments.

This capability is important for maritime autonomous systems, where vessels must operate over long distances, support distributed missions, and maintain access to reliable communications without fixed infrastructure.

“Autonomous maritime systems are only as effective as the communications that connect them, especially when operating at range and in contested environments,” said Manny Mora, Chief Executive Officer and President at Kymeta. “Our technology is designed to deliver resilient, on-the-move connectivity across multiple networks  in LEO,MEO and GEO and integrating it into Blue Ops’ Variant 7 enables persistent command and control for distributed USV operations. This collaboration is about ensuring operators can rely on real-time data and coordination, even in the most challenging conditions.”

Kymeta’s solutions are deployed globally across government, military, maritime, transport, and public safety sectors. The company has produced and shipped more than 9,000 units and supports deployments in more than 80 countries and territories. The company is a trusted name and connectivity partner in the military, both in the US and globally, with thousands of units actively deployed in the field for highly resilient, on-the-move communications.

The Red Cat Futures Initiative connects leading robotics and autonomy innovators to accelerate deployment of advanced capabilities including artificial intelligence, computer vision, target acquisition, swarming, and resilient control systems. The initiative is designed to reduce integration friction, speed time to fielding, and ensure that trusted, mission-ready systems reach operators at the tactical edge faster.

Red Cat plans to demonstrate the Blue Ops Variant 7 USV, including the Kymeta integration, in Tampa during SOF Week May 18 - 21. The demonstrations will highlight how the combined solution supports autonomous maritime operations with reliable communications on the move, offering partners and customers a firsthand look at the platform’s capabilities.