As UAV and drone operations expand into more complex airspace, communication with manned aircraft and air traffic control becomes a key safety requirement. Operations above 120 meters or in specific-category use cases need aviation communication systems that can be integrated into unmanned platforms without adding excessive weight or complexity.
At ILA Berlin 2026, FJORD7, a startup from northern Germany, presented a VHF radio system designed for UAV and drone operations. The solution enables unmanned aircraft to communicate with manned aircraft and air traffic controllers, supporting safer integration into non-controlled airspace.
The company emphasized the compact and lightweight design of the radio unit, which weighs around 400 grams. It is designed with three simple connectors for power, antenna, and network connection, making it easier to integrate into UAV platforms.
FJORD7 also demonstrated remote operation of the radio from devices such as an iPad. The system can operate through cellular connectivity and may also use satellite or other available data links. By converting long-established analog aviation radio communication into a digital interface, the company is positioning the system as a practical communication layer for professional UAV operations.
FJORD7 presented a compact VHF radio system for UAV and drone operations, designed to support communication with manned aircraft and air traffic control.
The radio unit was introduced as a small and lightweight device weighing around 400 grams, making it suitable for integration into unmanned aircraft platforms.
Yes. FJORD7 demonstrated remote operation from an iPad and explained that the system can use cellular connectivity, satellite communication, or other available data links.
Hi, I’m Christian from the FJORD7 company from northern Germany.And we’re a startup developing an VHF airb radio for UAV and drone operations to allow safe integration into uncontrolled airspaceflying above 120 meters in the specific category and the radio enables you to talk to manned aviation and air traffic controllers for safe operations.The benefit is it’s very small and lightweight.It’s just 400 grams.It has small dimensions, is easy to integrate with three simple connectors.You got the power supply, the antenna, and the network connection.And then you can remotely control the radio from wherever you are.You can control it from any device that is available.We’ve got a demonstration here with the iPad.So you can just simply control this radio for example.And here you see the frequency is 118 decimal 0.And if I switch the frequency here to 123 decimal 780, it switches here.So there’s a connection.It’s not Wi-Fi.It’s running through cellular, but it could use satcom or any other data link available.And then you can communicate, for example if there’s a manned aviation, you can communicate and do a radio check- one, two, three.You hear the voice on the iPad or on the device connected.And if you talk to the iPad you can hear it on the handheld radio or they can hear it in the tower.And when I press the push to talk button you see the indication there so there’s a direct connection.And this has been analog radio communication for 50 years- the standard in manned aviation.And we transformed it into a digital version from the iPad or any interface to the radio.So if that is of any interest for you feel free to reach out, contact us at FJORD7.We are on LinkedIn or you can write us an email.It’s [email protected] I’m happy to hear from people.Thank you.









