Reflecting on a Successful 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025??

Our mission at SwissDrones is to enable uncrewed aerial intelligence & cargo by delivering safer, smarter, and more efficient solutions for our customers. As 2024 comes to a close, I want to thank our customers, partners, and the SwissDrones team for their trust and collaboration in making this mission a reality. Building on our strong global presence with aircraft delivered to 14 countries and BVLOS flight approvals in 35, we continued to achieve key milestones in 2024. The proven feasibility of the SDO 50 uncrewed helicopter platform for long-range infrastructure inspection, aerial surveillance, and remote cargo delivery redefine what’s possible in uncrewed aviation. The SDO 50 achieved exceptional results in real-life commercial operations, demonstrating unmatched capabilities in delivering precise aerial data over very long distances. Notably, it enabled one of the longest BVLOS missions in Queensland, Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency for critical infrastructure inspection. Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to innovation and expanding into new markets while enhancing product capabilities to address evolving market needs. With a commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability, SwissDrones will continue to redefine uncrewed BVLOS operations and drive progress across industries.

Together, we’re shaping the future of aviation and setting new benchmarks for global impact. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Ulrich Amberg

CEO

550 KM of Gas Pipeline fully BVLOS inspected in Australia

SwissDrones, in partnership with Xplorate, proudly powered the world’s first 550-kilometer Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) gas pipeline inspection in Queensland, Australia. This groundbreaking mission, utilizing the SDO 50 uncrewed helicopter, showcased the unmatched potential of UAS technology in delivering precise, actionable insights for pipeline monitoring with maximum safety and efficiency. Outfitted with advanced sensors, the SDO 50 ensures operational excellence, risk reduction, and significantly lower CO? emissions compared to traditional crewed helicopter inspections. Discover how SwissDrones is transforming infrastructure inspection and setting new global benchmarks for the Energy sector.

Read More in Our Blog Post

New SDO 50 customer in Latin America

We are thrilled to welcome Omni Helicopters International Group (OHI) through its affiliate OHI Unmanned as our newest SDO 50 customer and strategic partner in Latin America. OHI, Latin America's leading provider of air mobility and delivery solutions, brings extensive expertise across offshore energy markets and unmanned aerial systems through OHI Unmanned, ensuring efficient and innovative services in challenging environments.

This partnership will contribute to developing the market in Brazil and other Latin American countries, particularly in the sectors of Oil & Gas, Utilities, and Public Safety. To strengthen this collaboration, OHI Unmanned’s team recently completed a comprehensive training program with us. Together, we're committed to driving innovation and delivering exceptional solutions to the Latin American market.

Groundbreaking Offshore BVLOS Mission Achieved!

We are excited to see our SDO 50 being successfully deployed by Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU) for a groundbreaking offshore cargo delivery capability demonstration for the oil and gas industry.

Flying 38.5 miles (62 km) from shore to Ship Shoal 28 in the Gulf of Mexico, the SDO 50 showcased its advanced capabilities for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, maintaining a cruising speed of 40 knots (74 km/h) and completing a flawless round trip under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approvals.

A critical aspect of the mission involved landing safely on a offshore plattform — a task requiring thorough preparation and technical precision. From radio link stability to weather conditions, each element demanded careful planning. One standout success was upgrading the SDO 50’s autopilot with advanced features to handle magnetometer interference, ensuring precise heading control during landing. Extensive testing in Switzerland prior to deployment guaranteed the aircraft’s readiness for this demanding environment.

This achievement highlights the SDO 50’s engineering excellence and demonstrates how unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are reshaping logistics for industries like oil and gas.?

Celebrating Our 50th Aircraft Delivery

SwissDrones has reached a major milestone with the delivery of our 50th aircraft to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), one of Canada’s top research colleges in 2024. SAIT is expanding their fleet with two brand new SDO 50 V3's, complementing their existing SDO 50V2.

These industry-leading RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) will support SAIT’s focus on heavy-lift and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. Through academic collaborations with manufacturers like SwissDrones and regulatory bodies, SAIT offers cutting-edge training and certification operations of RPAS above 25 kilograms of take-off weight.

In addition to training, SAIT and SwissDrones are driving innovation through joint R&D projects and advanced training programs for Canadian companies. We are honored to collaborate with SAIT to shape unmanned aviation technology's future and foster the next generation of RPAS advancements.

Season's Greetings and High-Flying Wishes for 2025!

We look ahead with excitement and optimism for what’s to come. May your new year be filled with success, innovation, and new possibilities. Let’s continue reaching new heights together!

From all of us at SwissDrones, we wish you a joyful start to the year and a prosperous 2025