SwissDrones and Omni Unmanned Conduct Unprecedented Offshore Drone Operation in Brazil

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Published on 18/09/2025 at 11:04

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Pioneering Test Reinforces Innovation in Air Transport in the Energy Sector

SwissDrones and Omni Unmanned, a subsidiary of the Omni Helicopters International (OHI) group, completed an unprecedented Proof of Concept in Brazil in September 2025. The operation marked the first use of a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in offshore activities in the country, strengthening technological advancement in the energy sector.

Tests in Extreme Conditions Off the Coast of Rio de Janeiro

The trials were conducted over several days off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. During this period, the SDO 50 UAV from SwissDrones, a long-range and heavy-lift VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) model, was tested in severe wind and weather conditions.

In addition, the operation involved pilots from Omni Air Taxi, who conducted flights between different offshore platforms. The mission was structured in two piloting phases, with teams positioned on each platform and the autonomous transfer of the aircraft in mid-flight, carried out smoothly and safely.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Emergency Delivery of a Part Reinforces Operational Value

During the tests, a real emergency situation occurred: an essential part needed to be urgently transported to prevent the shutdown of a platform.

In this context, the SDO 50 successfully completed the delivery, ensuring the continuity of operations. The action avoided high costs that would have been incurred through conventional transport by boat or helicopter and significantly reduced the operational downtime.

Thus, the Proof of Concept reinforced the feasibility of using UAVs in critical offshore logistics.

Statements from Industry Leaders

According to Ulrich Amberg, CEO of SwissDrones, “it is rewarding to see energy companies adopting long-range UAVs, which offer transportation between offshore platforms in a faster, safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective way.”

Furthermore, Amberg stated that the project signals “a near future in which the interaction between platforms will be dynamic, convenient, and safer than ever.”

Roberto Coimbra, director of the OHI Group Council, highlighted that “unmanned aircraft have ceased to be a future solution to become a necessity today, as demonstrated in the emergency delivery during the test.”

Both emphasized that collaboration among technology developers, specialized pilots, and energy companies is essential to consolidate these innovations in the sector.

Strategic and Sustainable Benefits of UAVs

The trials showed that UAVs represent a significant advancement for offshore operations for various reasons:

Physical Compactness: facilitate storage and deployment on platforms with limited space.
Logistical Efficiency: deliver equipment swiftly, reducing wait times.
Enhanced Safety: lower risks in critical transport operations.
Sustainability: reduce carbon emissions compared to manned vessels and helicopters.

Thus, UAVs establish themselves as strategic solutions for the future of air mobility in the energy sector.

Omni Helicopters International: Regional Leadership in Air Mobility

The Omni Helicopters International (OHI) group, founded in 2009, maintains a prominent presence in Latin America.

In Brazil, it operates through Omni Air Taxi, which offers crew change, medical rescue (EMS), fire fighting, search and rescue, as well as specialized cargo operations.

In countries like Guyana and Mozambique, OHI also provides air transport solutions in expanding energy markets.

Recently, the company launched two pioneering divisions:

OHI Unmanned, dedicated to services with unmanned aerial vehicles.
Revo, focused on advanced air mobility (AAM).

Therefore, the company reaffirms its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the sector.

This technological milestone, completed in September 2025, demonstrates that the application of unmanned helicopters in offshore operations is already a reality in Brazil. The energy sector, by adopting innovative aerial solutions, enhances its logistical efficiency, strengthens its operational safety, and directly contributes to the reduction of emissions.

And you, do you believe that UAVs will become standard in offshore operations in the coming years?

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SwissDrones and Omni Unmanned Conduct Unprecedented Offshore Drone Operation in Brazil

Pioneering Test Reinforces Innovation in Air Transport in the Energy Sector

Tests in Extreme Conditions Off the Coast of Rio de Janeiro

Emergency Delivery of a Part Reinforces Operational Value

Statements from Industry Leaders

Strategic and Sustainable Benefits of UAVs

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SwissDrones and Omni Unmanned Conduct Unprecedented Offshore Drone Operation in Brazil

Pioneering Test Reinforces Innovation in Air Transport in the Energy Sector

Tests in Extreme Conditions Off the Coast of Rio de Janeiro

Emergency Delivery of a Part Reinforces Operational Value

Statements from Industry Leaders

Strategic and Sustainable Benefits of UAVs

Omni Helicopters International: Regional Leadership in Air Mobility

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BRICS is preparing a payment system inspired by the Brazilian PIX that will allow direct transactions between countries using national digital currencies without relying on the dollar or Western banks as intermediaries.

Ethiopia has banned gasoline and diesel cars, placed over a hundred silent electric buses on the streets of Addis Ababa, and now aims for half a million electric vehicles by 2030, all powered by Africa’s largest dam and a courage that few countries have shown.

On the coast of China, fishermen received an official reward after finding 10 foreign underwater devices capable of “stealing secrets” in just two years, showing that the silent war for the seabed has already reached the nets of those who rely on fishing.

A view from space, an image made by NASA shows the impressive Richat Structure, a geological formation located in the Sahara Desert, also known as the “Eye of the Sahara.”

In the South Atlantic, three isolated volcanic islands cause the wind to draw perfect spirals visible from space: a rare phenomenon called von Kármán vortex streets forms symmetrical patterns behind the peaks of the South Sandwich Islands and was recorded by the NOAA-20 satellite in 2025.

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