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Robot maker · registered

SwissDrones

Corporate marketinspectionCurated record
swissdrones.com

SDO 50 V3 is a fully autonomous VTOL UAS using a Flettner contra-rotating double rotor powered by a single-shaft turbine (JET A1); fully autonomous BVLOS flight up to 216 km range; multi-sensor payload integration (LiDAR, thermal, RGB, multispectral); EASA LUC grants self-authorized BVLOS across EASA member states without individual mission approvals.

HeadquartersZurich, CH
Founded2013
Corporate funding$10M
Team11-50
Deployments6
Open roles4
01

Company overview

Identity and operating footprint

Company typeRobot maker
Market segmentCorporate
StageSeries B
FoundersDaniel Krättli (Founder & CEO)
Regions servedEurope, Asia Pacific, North America
Countries deployedBE, CH, JP, MY, AU
Service footprintHQ Zurich; manufacturing in Buchs (St. Gallen), Switzerland; EASA LUC for self-authorized BVLOS across EASA states; FAA SAC-EC; operations in Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Malaysia, Australia
Last reviewed2026-07-05
MX

Robot models

Specifications remain vendor-claimed

Machineinspection

SDO 50 V3

  • MTOW 87 kg; dry operating mass 53.8 kg; useful load up to 33.2 kg (including fuel)

    vendor-stated maximum takeoff weight and usable payload for the SDO 50 V3

    Claim source
  • Max endurance 3h 02min (full fuel, no additional payload); max range 216 km BVLOS

    vendor-stated maximum endurance and communication-coverage-constrained range

    Claim source
  • Cruise speed 39 KTAS (72 km/h); max altitude 10,000 ft AMSL; max wind tolerance 40 km/h

    vendor-stated cruise performance and environmental operating limits

    Claim source
  • Rotor: 2 × 2.82 m Flettner contra-rotating double rotor; engine: single-shaft turbine; fuel: JET A1 at 12.5 l/hr (ISA)

    vendor-stated propulsion and rotor configuration

    Claim source
DP

Deployment log

Announced and cited only

AnnouncedCustomerSiteCountryCountEvidence
2025-12-01Sanwa Gikoucommercial sale / inspection servicesJP1Announcement
2025-09-18OMNI Unmanned / Omni Táxi Aéreooffshore energy / UAV delivery trialBRNot disclosedAnnouncement
2025-02-20Southern Company (US Southeast utility grid)utility BVLOS grid inspectionUSNot disclosedAnnouncement
2025-01-01Xploratepipeline inspection (550 km BVLOS, Queensland)AUNot disclosedAnnouncement
2021-12-01CLS GroupmaritimeFRNot disclosedAnnouncement
2021-01-01Elia Group Internationalpowerline inspection (BVLOS >100 km)BENot disclosedAnnouncement
CA

Funding history

Publicly announced rounds

2023-01-11Not disclosed

Series A

Investors undisclosed

Round source
Investors on recordDiamondStream PartnersChevron Technology VenturesIngleside InvestorsBoundary HoldingRheingold Capital
HR

Hiring signal

Public job board · 2026-07-13

Open roles4

Hiring is an operating signal, not deployment evidence. Roles are refreshed from the company’s public careers system.

Flight Test Engineer (a)Design Organization · BuchsSystem Integration Engineer Electronics (a)Design Organization · BuchsSystem Engineer Avionics - Communication Systems (a)Electrical Systems Integration · BuchsSystem Engineer Avionics - Flight Control (a)Electrical Systems Integration · Buchs
TL

Company timeline

Milestones and announcements

2025-12-01First SDO 50 V3 sale in Japan to Sanwa Gikou, first V3 customer in AsiaSwissDrones
2024-04-02Closed Series B >$10M with Chevron Technology Ventures, DiamondStream Partners, and Ingleside InvestorsSwissDrones
2023-10-30SDO 50 V2 granted FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate (SAC-EC) for US operationsThe Drone Girl
2023-01-11Secured seven-figure Series A funding to scale uncrewed helicopter service operationsThe Drone Girl
2021-01-01First BVLOS heavy-drone (>25 kg) missions in Belgium with Elia Group International; >100 km powerline inspectionsUnmanned Systems Technology
SC

Source ledger

13 unique public sources

01
Aerial Intelligence Company SwissDrones Successfully Closes Series B Growth FundingSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
02
SwissDrones secures seven-figure funding to grow its uncrewed helicopter serviceThe Drone Girl · retrieved 2026-07-05
03
SwissDrones: ProductSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
04
About SwissDronesSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
05
SwissDrones and OMNI Unmanned Complete Offshore Platform UAV Trial in BrazilSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
06
Southern Company Becomes First U.S. Utility Approved for FAA Part 91 Exemption for BVLOS Drone OperationsT&D World · retrieved 2026-07-05
07
SwissDrones Delivers New SDO 50 V3 to Xplorate, Strengthening Global RPAS LeadershipSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
08
SwissDrones and CLS Group Deploy SDO 50 V2 Unmanned Helicopter for Maritime OperationsCLS Group · retrieved 2026-07-05
09
SDO 50 UAV Completes Long-Distance BVLOS Pipeline InspectionUnmanned Systems Technology · retrieved 2026-07-05
10
SwissDrones Granted European Drone Operator License (LUC) by the Malta Civil Aviation DirectorateSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
11
SwissDrones Secures Growth Funding from DiamondStream PartnersSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
12
SwissDrones Reaches Significant Milestone with First Sale of SDO 50 V3 in Japan to Launch Customer Sanwa GikouSwissDrones · retrieved 2026-07-05
13
SDO 50 V2 from SwissDrones gains landmark FAA approvalThe Drone Girl · retrieved 2026-07-05