SwissDrones SDO 50 Powers World-First 550 km UAV Pipeline Inspection in Australia
At SwissDrones, we are proud to announce our role in a groundbreaking mission led by our partner, Xplorate, a leading Australian aerial intelligence company. Using our SDO 50 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Xplorate successfully completed the world’s first 550-kilometer Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) pipeline inspection in regional Queensland, setting a new global benchmark for the oil and gas industry.
This mission is a great example of the unmatched potential of UAV technology in delivering precise, actionable insights for pipeline inspection and monitoring while ensuring maximum safety and efficiency.
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A Milestone in Data Intelligence The success of this mission was driven by the SDO 50 UAV, a long-range UAV optimized for BVLOS operations in challenging environments. Outfitted with advanced LiDAR and RGB sensors, the UAV collected high-resolution imagery and created precise 3D terrain models of the pipeline. This data, post-processed and overlaid in the final mission video, provided customers with a comprehensive dataset to detect pipeline leaks, assess asset integrity, and identify security breaches.
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By combining accurate aerial data with advanced sensors, the SDO 50 UAV enables operators to manage a more proactive pipeline maintenance strategy. This ensures not only greater operational efficiency but also compliance with safety and environmental standards. The project underscores the transformative potential of data intelligence in revolutionizing pipeline inspections and long-range monitoring.
The success of this project also highlights the transformative impact of data intelligence in pipeline inspections. SwissDrones’ advanced UAV technology consistently delivers accurate, actionable aerial data, supporting clients in achieving optimal performance and minimizing downtime.
Transforming Pipeline Inspections with UAVs The completion of this mission highlights the transformative potential of UAVs for the oil and gas industry. Traditional methods for pipeline inspections often involve significant costs, environmental impact, and human risk. In contrast, the SDO 50 UAV delivers:
• >70% Operational Cost Reduction: Automated inspections streamline operations, making long-range monitoring economically viable.
• Consistent, Reliable Data: Our UAV technology collects precise data, ensuring accurate assessments and efficient decision-making.
• 100% Flight Crew Risk Reduction: Remote piloting ensures that human operators are never placed in hazardous environments.
• >95% CO₂ Emissions Reduction: UAVs minimize the carbon footprint compared to traditional manned inspections.
SwissDrones is honored to have partnered with Xplorate on this record-breaking mission. Their expertise in RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) technology combined with our SDO 50 UAV illustrates how collaborative innovation can drive meaningful change across industries.
As Xplorate expands its global operations, SwissDrones remains committed to supporting their mission with cutting-edge UAV technology. Together, we aim to redefine standards in pipeline monitoring, inspection and monitoring, and environmental protection.
This milestone underscores the SDO 50 UAV’s capability to meet the growing demand for long-range UAV missions in the oil and gas industry. By delivering solutions that prioritize safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility, SwissDrones continues to lead the way in revolutionizing aerial inspections.
For more information on the SDO 50 UAV and our BVLOS mission capabilities, get in touch with our team today!
