SwissDrones company

VTOL helicopter UAVs for BVLOS surveillance, search-and-rescue, and inspection missions, designed for stable long-range operations.

SwissDrones overview

SwissDrones is a leading Swiss aerospace company specialized in the development and operation of long-range unmanned helicopter systems designed to take on missions traditionally performed by manned helicopters. With a deep commitment to aviation safety, operational efficiency, and technological innovation, the company delivers advanced aerial intelligence solutions that enable customers to conduct critical missions safely, cost-effectively, and sustainably — even in the world’s most challenging environments.

Founded in 2013, SwissDrones has grown into an internationally recognized industry leader with headquarters in Zurich and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Buchs (St. Gallen). The company serves clients across Asia, Europe, and North America, earning distinctions such as “Top 50 Global UAV Enterprise” (World UAV Federation) and “Top 40 Civil Drone Platform Manufacturer” (Drone Industry Insights). These recognitions reflect SwissDrones’ role not just as a drone manufacturer, but as a strategic enabler of next-generation aerial operations.

Mission: Replacing Risk With Precision

At its core, SwissDrones is driven by a mission to replace hazardous, expensive manned helicopter operations with safer, more efficient unmanned alternatives. Many essential airborne tasks — from surveillance and powerline inspection to search and rescue — expose pilots and crews to severe risks, including poor weather, night operations, mountainous terrain, or hazardous environments such as wildfire zones or conflict areas.

SwissDrones’ systems are specifically designed to address these challenges by enabling:

• Safe unmanned alternatives to crewed helicopter missions

• High-quality aerial intelligence gathering with advanced sensors

• Significant cost reductions through lower operational and training expenses

• Substantial CO₂ emission reductions (up to 95% compared to manned helicopters)

• Highly reliable BVLOS operations day and night

By shifting operational risk from humans to technology, SwissDrones helps organizations modernize their workflows, strengthen safety standards, and operate with confidence even under demanding conditions.

Swiss Engineering Rooted in Precision and Reliability

SwissDrones’ identity is deeply shaped by Switzerland’s long tradition of engineering excellence. Every system is designed, assembled, and tested in-country, ensuring rigorous quality control, long-term reliability, and exceptionally high standards of aeronautical precision.

The company’s signature unmanned helicopter systems employ a unique twin-rotor design, which offers several advantages over conventional multirotor drones and fixed-wing platforms:

• High payload capacity

• Excellent endurance

• Stability in adverse weather

• Compact, transportable configuration

• Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability

This engineering approach allows SwissDrones to offer a rare combination of long flight times, heavy payload support, autonomous operation, and deployment flexibility — all within a platform that can be transported by a van and made flight-ready by a two-person crew in under 15 minutes.

A Global Provider of BVLOS Aerial Intelligence

SwissDrones is not only a manufacturer but also an experienced operator of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) aircraft. The company has accumulated extensive know-how in obtaining regulatory approvals and executing long-range missions in multiple jurisdictions — one of the most complex and demanding aspects of modern drone operations.

This experience enables the company to support clients throughout the entire operational lifecycle, including:

• Regulatory preparation and BVLOS approval guidance

• Mission planning and workflow development

• Aircraft deployment and operational training

• Sensor integration and data-processing solutions

SwissDrones’ focus on turnkey operational support sets it apart as a trusted long-term partner for organizations adopting unmanned helicopter technology.

Designed for Real-World, High-Stakes Applications

SwissDrones systems are deployed across multiple sectors that depend on consistent performance in demanding circumstances. The company’s aircraft are used in:

Inspection & Monitoring

Critical infrastructure owners — including utility providers, energy companies, and pipeline operators — rely on SwissDrones for routine and emergency inspections. Unmanned operations reduce downtime, minimize risk to personnel, and allow assets to remain online while inspections are conducted.

Aerial Surveillance

Law enforcement, border protection, coast guards, and security agencies leverage SwissDrones systems for persistent surveillance and real-time situational awareness. High-end optical and infrared payloads enable the aircraft to operate effectively in darkness, bad weather, or hostile environments where manned helicopters may be unsafe.

Search & Rescue (SAR)

SwissDrones supports rescue organizations by enabling rapid deployment, wide-area coverage, and high-precision detection of missing persons under adverse conditions. The aircraft can also transport and drop essential emergency supplies such as medical kits, food, or flotation devices to accelerate rescue operations.

Across all of these fields, SwissDrones offers the same fundamental value: safer missions, better data, reduced costs, and operational certainty.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

One of the most compelling advantages of SwissDrones technology is its contribution to environmental sustainability. By providing alternatives to manned helicopter missions, the company helps reduce fuel consumption, noise pollution, and overall carbon footprint. The flagship SDO 50 platform alone offers up to 95% CO₂ emission reduction, demonstrating SwissDrones’ commitment to helping customers meet modern sustainability goals without compromising mission performance.

A Complete Ecosystem, Not Just an Aircraft

SwissDrones delivers more than hardware. Its comprehensive ecosystem includes:

• High-performance, long-range unmanned helicopter platforms

• Integration with leading sensor payloads

• Fully autonomous mission execution

• Redundant flight control and navigation systems

• Data collection, processing, and analytical support

• Deployment and training assistance

• Operational partnerships and long-term service packages

This end-to-end approach reflects the company’s philosophy: customers should receive not just a capable aircraft, but a complete, reliable operational solution tailored to their mission profiles.

A Forward-Looking Vision

As global demand for BVLOS operations increases, SwissDrones continues to push the boundaries of what unmanned helicopters can achieve. The company remains focused on expanding international operations, evolving its product ecosystem, and advancing aviation safety standards.

SwissDrones is shaping the future of aerial intelligence — where critical missions become safer, data becomes more accessible, and advanced unmanned systems take on the work that once put crews at risk.