SwissDrones is expanding in North America through its first hardware contract with the U.S.-based energy company Southern Company.
Southern Company will deploy SwissDrones’ SDO 50 to modernize maintenance protocols, enable efficient infrastructure monitoring, and conduct swift storm damage assessments.
SwissDrones’ SDO 50 is a state-of-the-art unmanned helicopter and is reportedly one of the first unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the category above 55 lbs to be approved in over 30 countries for long-range, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions.
The SDO 50’s vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability and heavy payload capacity offer a highly cost-effective alternative to manned aircraft. It is also a more sustainable solution, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 95%.
Southern Company will incorporate the aircraft as part of its commitment to using advanced technologies to deliver clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy.
This collaboration marks SwissDrones’ expansion into North America as part of a broader industry trend toward adopting advanced uncrewed systems for critical infrastructure monitoring and emergency response.
Ulrich Amberg, CEO of SwissDrones, commented, “Energy companies are dealing with a host of difficult circumstances when it comes to maintaining their critical infrastructure. From an increase in extreme weather events to cumbersome inspection practices, companies need new, innovative solutions. Teaming up with Southern Company will enable more efficient aerial surveillance and inspection to navigate those challenges.”
Dean Barefield, UAS program manager at Southern Company, added, “Partnering with SwissDrones empowers us to bring innovation to aerial inspection and infrastructure maintenance. As our first deployment of a large unmanned aerial system (UAS), the SDO 50 will expand our operational reach, allowing us to cover greater distances across our power lines in the Southeast and across our natural gas infrastructure throughout our broader service territory. This technology enhances our ability to gather high-quality data for both electric and gas operations, ultimately helping us better serve all of our customers.”
