You're right, Poke.
And since we do not know the itinerary, nearly everything posted in the last 24 hrs is pure speculation.
For those challenging the "up to 100 miles" range, recall that the Navy vision for networking includes aircraft, so this trial could be used to extend the comm path for tactical/ISR aircraft to other aircraft and ships.
Generally speaking, aircraft at 2000' should be capable of LOS comms ~60nm with U.S. Navy combatants. The Sans 51 at 2000' and properly positioned could enable another airborne platform to exchange tactical data to a ship 160nm away from altitudes as low as ~1000'. It could also link aircraft ~200nm apart from each other (with each a/c as low as 1000')
Of course, atmospherics (esp in a maritime environment) can significantly affect EM theoretical ranges, positively and negatively - something we deal with (or exploit) as encountered, regardless of system specification.
Sky
