SwissDrones and CLS Group Deploy SDO 50 V2 Unmanned Helicopter for Maritime Operations

The companies successfully demonstrated ship-based operations for aerial surveillance and search and rescue missions in the open ocean.

Zurich, Switzerland and Toulouse, France, 1 December 2021 –

Vast, remote, and often subjected to dangerous conditions, the world’s oceans are fertile ground for a range of illicit activities. Because they are so difficult to monitor, pollution, human trafficking, smuggling, terrorism, illegal fishing, and piracy are all daily occurrences on the open sea.

SwissDrones, a company that develops, manufactures and operates long-range unmanned helicopter systems for commercial and public safety applications, and CLS, a pioneer in satellite-based monitoring and surveillance solutions, connecting from space SwissDrones UAVs, are bringing together the power of satellite data with the agility of unmanned aerial drones.

The result: Enhanced maritime surveillance.

“CLS has been an expert in the field of maritime surveillance and security for more than 30 years, with no less than 400 satellites available to support national sovereignty and security at sea. CLS’s collaboration with SwissDrones adds a further stone to the decision-making tool available to maritime authorities.

With this new UAV, we complete the arsenal of safety at sea that we offer. We are very happy to collaborate with Swissdrones. Together, we ensure the reliability of our operations, which is a guarantee for the future.” said Nadia Maaref, Director of Maritime Security at CLS.

“Drones are a complementary asset in the overall surveillance process,” adds Ulrich Amberg, CEO of SwissDrones. “They enhance maritime situational awareness with additional sources of data and make operations safer for coastal authorities during hazardous conditions.”

As a case in point, the two companies recently demonstrated how drones can play a vital role in such critical maritime operations as search and rescue, controlling fisheries, and monitoring pollution and ship emissions. The demonstration took place in the open ocean from aboard the Bourbon Offshore ship Argonaute and using the SwissDrones SDO 50 VTOL unmanned helicopter system. The SDO 50 was specifically chosen for this mission because of its long endurance, ease-of-use, low logistical footprint and ability to deploy in harsh weather conditions, all of which allow it to be easily operated from the deck of a maritime vessel.

The deployment demonstrated how Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) such as the SwissDrones SDO 50 can complete Earth Observation Systems. The deployment also made a case for using drones as a complementary tool in the overall surveillance chain for monitoring oceans over extended periods and across large areas.

The deployment, which was done in collaboration with the French Navy, Bourbon Offshore, and the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC), follows a previous deployment by SwissDrones and CLS completed in May 2021.

About the SwissDrones SDO 50 VTOL

The SwissDrones SDO 50 VTOL RPAS is an unmanned helicopter system designed for a multitude of long-range missions, including in adverse weather conditions, during the night, at high altitude, and across a large spectrum of temperatures. Its unique design features provide superior payload capacity (45 kg/99 lbs, including fuel), long-endurance (3+ hours), stable flight patterns, the ability to carry single or multiple high-quality sensors, and a high degree of safety features. An integrated autopilot system enables autonomous take-off and landing procedures as well as autonomous flight patterns.

The SDO 50 V2 uses the Flettner system of intermeshing twin rotors turning in opposite directions. Each rotor mast is mounted at a slight angle to the other, allowing the blades to intermesh without colliding. This design enables its superior payload capacity, prolonged endurance, and stable flight patterns. It also allows the helicopter to function without a tail rotor, which saves power and allows for a significantly higher payload to weight ratio.