Somewear Labs Introduces Horizon Radio to Advance Long-Range Drone Communications

Why It Matters

Horizon gives operators continuous control in contested environments, reducing mission‑critical communication gaps and accelerating the fielding of scalable, attritable unmanned systems.

Key Takeaways

• Horizon auto-switches LOS and satellite links for uninterrupted control
• Low size, weight, power, cost enables OEM integration
• Supports MAVLink and API-driven links to TAK for situational awareness
• Provides configurable LOS-only or BLOS-only modes to match threat environments

Pulse Analysis

The rapid proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has outpaced the communications infrastructure that traditionally relies on line‑of‑sight (LOS) radios. When a drone flies beyond visual range or encounters electronic interference, operators lose the ability to issue commands, jeopardizing mission success. Somewear Labs’ Horizon radio tackles this gap by fusing multiple networks—LOS, satellite, and emerging cellular bands—into a single, software‑defined platform, automatically selecting the strongest link as conditions evolve. This approach mirrors the broader industry shift toward resilient, multi‑modal connectivity that can survive contested electromagnetic environments.

Technically, Horizon is engineered for low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP‑C), making it a drop‑in upgrade for existing platforms without a full redesign of command‑and‑control (C2) or ground‑control stations (GCS). Its standards‑based architecture supports MAVLink, the de‑facto protocol for drone telemetry, and offers API‑driven integration with situational‑awareness suites such as the Team Awareness Kit (TAK). Operators can also toggle LOS‑only or BLOS‑only modes, tailoring the radio’s RF signature to the threat landscape. These capabilities streamline firmware development, cut integration time, and enhance survivability for both commercial and military UAS.

For defense contractors and OEMs, Horizon represents a strategic enabler as the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance initiative pushes for hundreds of thousands of attritable systems. By delivering affordable, scalable BLOS communications, the radio reduces logistical bottlenecks and accelerates fielding timelines. Upcoming showcases at XPONENTIAL 2026 and SOF Week will give industry buyers a hands‑on look, signaling that resilient, multi‑network radios are becoming a baseline requirement for next‑generation autonomous operations.