SwissDrones :: Long-Range Unmanned Helicopter Systems – VTOL – UAV’s

SwissDrones is a Swiss aerospace company founded in 2013, specializing in the development, manufacturing, and operation of long-range unmanned helicopter systems (VTOL UAVs). Headquartered in Zurich with a manufacturing site in Buchs (St. Gallen), the company focuses on creating safe, sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives to manned helicopters for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions. Its systems are designed for critical applications in challenging environments, including adverse weather, darkness, and hazardous areas, where human-piloted operations would be risky or impossible.

The flagship product is the SDO 50 series (including V2 and V3 variants), a turbine-powered unmanned helicopter featuring a unique Flettner double rotor (intermeshing twin rotors) system. This design provides excellent stability, high payload capacity, and efficiency without a traditional tail rotor. Key specifications include:

• Dimensions: approx. 2.32m x 0.7m x 0.92m
• Rotor diameter: 2 x 2.82m
• Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 87 kg
• Empty weight: ~42 kg
• Max payload: up to 45 kg (including fuel and sensors)
• Endurance: over 3 hours
• Fuel: JET A1 (optional Diesel), consumption ~15 L/hour
• Operational capabilities: Day/night flights, winds up to 21+ knots, temperatures from -20°C to +50°C, high-altitude performance (tested up to 11,500+ ft AMSL), and full BVLOS autonomy with advanced autopilot, redundant systems, and multi-link datalinks (S-band, UHF, optional LTE/4G).

The SDO 50 excels in integrating heavy, high-end payloads such as electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) gyrostabilized gimbals, LiDAR, multispectral sensors, and specialized equipment for real-time data gathering. It supports autonomous takeoff/landing, precise route repetition, and payload delivery (e.g., emergency supplies in SAR missions).

Primary applications include:

• Inspection & Monitoring: Power lines, pipelines, oil & gas, and critical infrastructure with high-resolution imaging and anomaly detection.
• Search and Rescue (SAR): Locating people in remote/hazardous areas and delivering aid.
• Aerial Surveillance: Security, border patrol, and maritime operations in difficult conditions.

SwissDrones emphasizes safety (risk reduction for crews), sustainability (up to 95% CO₂ reduction vs. manned helicopters), and cost-efficiency. The company operates globally across Europe, Asia, and North America, with notable deployments and partnerships including Elia Group (Belgium power lines), DLR German Aerospace Center, Air Zermatt (high-altitude testing), Southern Company (US), and recent expansions into Japan. It has earned recognitions as a top global UAV enterprise and continues to innovate with milestones like the SDO 50 V3 sales and international BVLOS approvals.

Overall, SwissDrones bridges traditional helicopter capabilities with modern unmanned technology, enabling reliable, long-endurance aerial intelligence for commercial, public safety, and research needs while advancing greener aviation solutions.