Autonomy has become the headline feature of modern UAV programs. Advances in AI-driven perception, navigation, and decision-making have dramatically expanded what uncrewed systems can do.

As UAV programs mature, many organizations encounter the same realization: scaling autonomy is not a software challenge alone. It is a systems challenge.   The most demanding UAV missions today are not enabled by isolated aircraft, but by integrated systems-of-systems designed for persistence, reliability, and operational continuity.

Autonomous UAVs are often discussed as individual platforms, airframes with sensors, software, and flight control. In reality, the most impactful UAV missions today are not enabled by a single aircraft, but by autonomous systems-of-systems: coordinated architectures where aerial vehicles, ground infrastructure, communications networks, and cloud-based intelligence operate as one integrated mission engine.

As global connectivity expands through next-generation constellations, 5G backhaul from orbit, and high-throughput GEO systems, the challenge of engineering reliable communications in space has never been greater.