RockREMOTE UAV
RockREMOTE UAV is an enclosed Iridium Certus 100 satellite terminal for UAV and RPAS developers adding reliable communications to larger aircraft, prototypes and retrofit programmes. With accessible external connections, it provides Certus 100 IP and Iridium Messaging Transport for telemetry, aircraft status, commands and supported IP traffic beyond cellular or radio coverage.
Key Capabilities
A finished Iridium Certus 100 terminal for larger UAVs, prototypes and retrofit programs.
Add Certus 100 connectivity to fixed-wing, VTOL and advanced RPAS
Use IP or IMT for telemetry, commands and application data
Connect autopilots, computers, sensors and avionics through Ethernet and serial
Support compact installations with a low profile antenna and 10-30 V input
Configure over Bluetooth and manage deployed terminals through Cloudloop
Satellite Communications for BVLOS Operations
RockREMOTE UAV provides an independent Iridium Certus 100 link for telemetry, aircraft status, commands, diagnostics and selected payload data beyond terrestrial coverage.
Use Iridium Messaging Transport for efficient message-based communications up to 100 KB, including status reports, alerts and commands. Certus 100 IP supports interactive C2 and other compatible application traffic that requires an IP connection.
The terminal can operate as the primary BVLOS link or alongside LTE, Wi-Fi and RF within a hybrid communications architecture.
Integrate With Existing Mission Systems
Larger UAVs and equipment bay retrofits often need to work with established avionics, mission computers and ground control systems. RockREMOTE UAV connects through 10/100 Ethernet or RS-232/RS-485 serial, providing routes into companion computers, autopilots, payload controllers and other onboard equipment. It carries selected C2, telemetry and payload data while protocol handling and flight control logic remain within your existing systems.
Your engineering team retains control of routing, encryption, message priorities, and failover behavior. This lets you add satellite connectivity while preserving the aircraft’s established avionics and ground system architecture.
Compare UAV Hardware Options
 RockREMOTE UAV OEM
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RockREMOTE UAV
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 RockBLOCK 9603
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 RockBLOCK 9704
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| Best Fit | Embedded IP and IMT connectivity for production airframes. | Enclosed IP and IMT terminal for larger UAVs and retrofits | Lightweight SBD messaging for small UAV telemetry and status data | Low power IMT for larger telemetry payloads and two way messaging |
| Form Factor | Integrator PCB assembly | Aluminum enclosure | Compact bare board SBD modem | OEM PCB assembly, available as ANT or SMA |
| Dimensions | 155.8 x 77.2 x 42.5 mm | 166.5 x 74.5 x 51.5mm | 45 x 45 x 16 mm | SMA: 48 x 52 x 16 mm / ANT: 72 x 72 x 16.5 mm |
| Weight | 288g | 646g | 39g | SMA: <35 g, excluding antenna / ANT: <50 g, including patch antenna |
| Environmental | None. Install within your airframe. | IP66 | None. Install within your airframe. | None. Install within your airframe. |
| Operating Temperature | –40°C to +70°C, ≤95% RH | –40°C to +70°C, ≤95% RH | –40°C to +85°C | –40°C to +70°C, <95% RH |
| Power Input | 10–30 V DC | 10–30 V DC or PoE+ | 5 V DC or 3.7 V Li-ion | 4.0–5.3 V DC, 3.6–4.5 V battery or 5 V USB-C |
| Power Consumption | Sleep: <36/75 mW at 12/24 V, Idle: 300 mW typical, Transmit: 7.25 W average | Sleep: <36/75 mW at 12/24 V, Idle: 300 mW typical, Transmit: 7.25 W average | Sleep: approx 73–100 µA, Idle: approx 40–50 mA, Initial charging: approx 500 mA | Sleep: <5 mW, Idle: approx 60 mW, Transmit: approx 1.4 W |
| Satellite Connectivity | Iridium Certus 100 IP and IMT | Iridium Certus 100 IP and IMT | Iridium Short Burst Data | Iridium Messaging Transport |
| Message Size | IMT messages from 25 to 100,000 bytes, plus IP traffic | IMT messages from 25 to 100,000 bytes, plus IP traffic | Up to 340 bytes sent and 270 bytes received | IMT messages from 25 to 100,000 bytes |
| Host Interface | 10/100 Ethernet and RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485 through the 30-way header | 10/100 Ethernet and configurable RS-232 or RS-485 | LVTTL UART, 3.3 V logic and 5 V tolerant, through a Molex PicoBlade header | TTL UART or USB-C serial bridge through the 16-way header |
| Additional I/O | Four GPIO channels, currently in development | Four GPIO channels, currently in development | Network Available, Ring Indicator and On/Off control signals | Five digital inputs and three digital outputs |
| Antenna Options | Customer integrated Certus and GNSS antennas through MMCX and U.FL connections | External Certus antenna through TNC and GNSS antenna through SMA | Integrated patch antenna or SMA connection for an external antenna | ANT version with integrated patch antenna, or SMA version for an approved external antenna |
| Host Controller Required | Yes. Connect to your autopilot, companion computer or onboard controller | Yes. Connect to your autopilot, companion computer or onboard controller | Yes. Your host controls the modem and prepares SBD messages | Yes. Your host prepares application data and controls communications |
| Developer Support | OEM integration guide, CAD files, developer interface board, APIs and technical documentation | Technical documentation, Bluetooth configuration and Cloudloop APIs | AT command set, integration documentation and RockBLOCK web services | C, Python and Arduino libraries, examples and Cloudloop Data integration |
| Remote Device Management | Cloudloop Device Manager (CDM) for remote configuration, diagnostics, logs and firmware updates | CDM for remote configuration, diagnostics, logs and firmware updates | No CDM | Cloudloop for activation, airtime and data routing; no CDM configuration or firmware control |
| View Product | Get In Touch | View Product | View Product |
Government And Defence UAV Operations
Satellite connectivity extends UAV communications beyond line of sight and terrestrial network coverage, supporting ISR, search and rescue, logistics and infrastructure protection across remote or contested environments. RockREMOTE UAV provides a resilient path for C2, telemetry and aircraft-status data when cellular or RF links are limited or unavailable.
Testing MAVLink Telemetry Over Certus 100
ArduPilot testing showed that RockREMOTE UAV OEM can provide consistent MAVLink telemetry over Iridium Certus 100 when stream rates and network settings are configured for satellite. The results give UAV developers practical guidance on latency, antenna placement and designing a reliable BVLOS IP link.
Resilient BVLOS Medical Delivery
Skylift UAV integrated RockBLOCK 9603 as a secondary communications link for autonomous eVTOL flights delivering chemotherapy and prescriptions across the Solent. It provides reliable two way messaging for essential commands such as stop, start and return, helping UAV OEMs build communications redundancy into BVLOS aircraft.
VTOL Operations Beyond GSM Coverage
Wingcopter integrated RockBLOCK into lightweight VTOL drones used for medical delivery, infrastructure inspection, forestry mapping and remote logistics. Satellite messaging allows operators to monitor flight status beyond GSM coverage, demonstrating how UAV OEMs can add reliable connectivity to aircraft designed for wide-area missions.
Technical Essentials
Use these headline specifications to assess RockREMOTE UAV’s fit with your aircraft architecture, power budget, interfaces and data requirements.
Certus 100 IP and IMT
Use Certus 100 IP for interactive applications or IMT for efficient telemetry, alerts, commands and files.
22 Kbps Up / 88 Kbps Down
Transfer standard IP traffic over the global Iridium Certus 100 satellite network.
25 Bytes to 100 KB per IMT Message
Send compact status updates, commands, diagnostics and larger message-based data packages.
Ethernet and Serial Interfaces
Connect avionics, flight controllers and companion computers through 10/100 Ethernet, RS-232 or RS-485.
Digital Inputs and Outputs
Use two isolated inputs and two outputs for status monitoring, switching and onboard equipment integration.
10-30 V DC or PoE+
Power the terminal from common aircraft and infrastructure supplies, with low power sleep and receive modes.
IP66 Enclosed Terminal
Install the 646 g aluminum terminal within avionics bays, payload pods, vehicles or remote infrastructure.
Flexible Antenna Installation
Position the Certus antenna using approved cable runs from 0.5 to 9 m, with separate GNSS connectivity.
Local and Remote Device Management
Configure locally over Bluetooth, then remotely diagnose, update and manage terminals through Cloudloop Device Manager.
Your Data Format
Transport MAVLink, proprietary telemetry or custom packets while protocol handling remains within your flight system.
Product Specifications
Aircraft Integration
- Product Format
- Finished, enclosed Iridium Certus 100 satellite terminal
- Main Connections
- Separate circular connectors for Ethernet and combined power, serial and digital I/O
- Ethernet Interface
- 10/100 Ethernet with PoE+ capability
- Serial Interface
- Configurable RS-232 or RS-485
- Digital I/O
- Two isolated digital inputs and two isolated digital outputs
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.0 for local configuration through RockCONNECT IoT
- GNSS
- Integrated multi-constellation GNSS using an external antenna
- Supported GNSS Constellations
- GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS
- Telemetry Formats
- Carries MAVLink, proprietary telemetry or custom data without interpreting the protocol
- Local Configuration
- Bluetooth, serial AT commands or configuration file transfer
- Local APIs
- Access supported device information, including connection status and Iridium signal strength
- Remote Management
- Configuration, diagnostics, log retrieval and firmware updates through Cloudloop Device Manager
Power, Antennas and Cabling
- Input Voltage
- 10-30 V DC through the 12-pin circular connector
- Power Over Ethernet
- PoE+ through the Ethernet connection
- Recommended Power Supply Capacity
- At least 25 W
- Sleep Consumption
- Less than 36 mW at 12 V or 75 mW at 24 V
- Idle Consumption
- 300 mW typical in receive mode
- Average Transmit Consumption
- 7.25 W
- Peak Current Draw
- Less than 1.66 A at 12 V or 833 mA at 24 V, with a 10% duty cycle during Iridium transmission
- Inrush Current
- Approximately 800 mA
- Certus Antenna
- Approved external Iridium Certus 100 antenna required
- Certus Antenna Connection
- TNC
- Certus Antenna Cable Options
- Approved cable assemblies from 0.5 to 9 m
- GNSS Antenna
- External GNSS antenna required for GNSS functionality
- GNSS Antenna Connection
- SMA
- Antenna Installation
- Antennas require suitable positioning and a clear view of the sky
Communications
- Satellite Network
- Iridium
- Iridium Transceiver
- Iridium Certus 9770
- Satellite Services
- Iridium Certus 100 IP data and Iridium Messaging Transport
- Communication Type
- Two way IP or message based satellite communication
- Certus 100 Data Rate
- 22 Kbps upload and 88 Kbps download
- IMT Message Size
- Flexible payloads from 25 to 100,000 bytes
- Satellite SIM
- One standard 2FF Iridium satellite SIM slot
- IMT Data Delivery
- Messages can be delivered through Cloudloop Data to your application or chosen endpoint
- IP Connectivity
- Provides a local Ethernet connection and TCP/IP routing over Iridium Certus 100
Physical and Environmental
- Dimensions
- 182.1 x 74.5 x 53 mm / 7.17 x 2.93 x 2.09 in
- Weight
- 646 g / 1.42 lb
- Enclosure Material
- Aluminum
- Ingress Protection
- IP66
- Operating Temperature
- -40°C to +70°C / -40°F to +158°F
- Operating Humidity
- Less than 95% relative humidity
- Vibration and Shock
- Tested to SAE J1455 when mounted as instructed
- Mounting
- Four external mounting points suitable for screw or band-clamp installation
- Installation Locations
- Suitable for avionics bays, payload pods, external fairings and other protected aircraft installations
- Status Indicators
- LED indication for power, LAN activity, faults and Iridium connection status
Connections
- Power, Serial and I/O Connector
- 12-pin circular connector
- Ethernet Connector
- 8-pin circular connector
- Certus Antenna Connector
- TNC
- GNSS Antenna Connector
- SMA
- Ethernet Cabling
- Circular-to-RJ45 cable assemblies available
- Combined Interface Cabling
- Circular cable assembly provides access to power, serial and digital I/O
FAQs
RockREMOTE UAV is the sealed, IP66-rated Certus 100 terminal for larger airframes and ground systems; RockREMOTE UAV OEM is the embedded module for tight airframes; and RockBLOCK modules provide ultra compact, message only links when full IP is not required.
Many manufacturers standardize on RockREMOTE UAV for infrastructure and higher-SWaP platforms, and use the other form factors where space and weight are more constrained.
It is primarily used in ground infrastructure and larger RPAS, but can be installed onboard airframes with sufficient volume and power budget. The terminal is mounted inside the structure, and RF is routed to a suitable Certus 100 flight antenna. Smaller, SWaP-constrained airframes are usually better served by RockREMOTE UAV OEM or RockBLOCK.
You can connect RockREMOTE UAV directly to a companion computer or network switch over Ethernet, or to a flight controller or dock controller over RS-232 / RS-485. The terminal does not interpret MAVLink or other protocols; it simply transports whatever IP or serial data you send, so your existing stack remains in control of telemetry formatting, routing and payload selection.
Yes. RockREMOTE UAV provides the datalink needed to transport Remote ID and other regulatory telemetry messages as part of your overall system design; the formatting and generation of those messages remain in your avionics and software stack.
Most UAV teams adopt a hybrid model: Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) for routine BVLOS telemetry and health reporting where predictable cost is key, and IP for interactive C2, configuration and occasional payload bursts. RockREMOTE UAV supports both modes on the same hardware, so you can tune the mix by platform, mission type or customer.
Bring Resilient Satcom into Your UAV Design
Tell us what you’re building, from docked inspection fleets and delivery drones to long range RPAS for critical infrastructure and government operations. We’ll help you determine how RockREMOTE UAV fits into your architecture, recommend antennas and airtime, and support your first steps toward scalable BVLOS operations.
If it sounds like it might meet your needs, get in touch. Complete the form on this page, email hello@groundcontrol.com, or call +44 (0) 1452 751940 (Europe, Asia, Africa) or +1.805.783.4600 (North and South America).