SwissDrones and OMNI Unmanned Complete Offshore Platform UAV Trial in Brazil
- SwissDrones, an 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.
Real-World Impact
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.
“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.”
The Future of Offshore Logistics
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.
Source: SwissDrones
