In the News

Zurich, Switzerland, 18 September 2025 – SwissDrones, the advanced aerial intelligence solutions provider specializing in long-range unmanned helicopter systems and Omni Unmanned, the air transport leader serving the oil sector and part of Omni Helicopters International (OHI) Group, recently completed an offshore Proof-of-Concept trial for an energy company in Brazil. The trial included a first of its kind Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operation in Brazil, using SwissDrones’ SDO 50, a long-range Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned helicopter with high payload capacity.
The multi-day trials saw the UAV tested under severe weather conditions with high winds. Controlled by OMNI Táxi Aéreo pilots, the unmanned helicopter successfully flew between offshore platforms off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The mission included two phases of piloting with ground teams on each platform and seamless midflight autonomous handover of the aircraft.
During the trials, a real-world operational requirement arose, during which a piece of equipment was urgently needed on another platform to prevent downtime. The SDO 50 successfully delivered the part and averted significant additional costs of moving the equipment by boat or helicopter, as well as reduced operational downtime.
“It’s great to see energy companies embracing long-range UAV technology that offers faster, safer, greener and more cost-effective air transport between offshore platforms,” said Ulrich Amberg, CEO of SwissDrones. “This project offers a glimpse into the near future of the offshore energy sector, where interaction between platforms is dynamic, convenient and safer than ever before. This future can only be realized, however, with close collaboration between technology developers, piloting and air mobility specialists, and energy companies themselves.”
“Unmanned aircraft are no longer a next generation solution for the energy industry. They’re a solution that’s applicable, deployable and needed today, as demonstrated by the real-world spare part scenario that arose during the trial,” said Roberto Coimbra, Board Director at the OHI Group. “This Proof-of-Concept demonstrates the power of marrying advanced UAVs with offshore air operations experience.”
These innovative trials showcase the value of UAVs for offshore cargo deliveries. With a compact physical footprint, UAVs enable easy onboard storage and deployment on offshore platforms where space is limited and valuable. Additionally, unmanned helicopters decrease safety risks and carbon emissions compared to their conventional counterparts.