UAV & Drones
NHV and Flylogix Launch Integrated Drone-Helicopter Offshore Solutions
Strategic partnership combines aerial tech for cost-efficient methane monitoring and inspections in UK offshore energy operations, cutting costs by 90%.
Revolutionizing Offshore Energy Logistics: The NHV and Flylogix Partnership
The offshore energy sector is undergoing a quiet revolution. A newly announced partnership between NHV Group, a leading helicopter operator, and Flylogix, a long-range drone specialist, marks a significant milestone for the industry. This collaboration is the first of its kind to merge traditional helicopter transportation with advanced drone services into a single, integrated offering for offshore operations.
At the heart of this partnership is a shared vision: to streamline offshore logistics while addressing critical industry challenges such as safety, cost-efficiency, and environmental impact. By combining NHV’s extensive helicopter fleet with Flylogix’s cutting-edge Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone technology, this alliance promises to redefine how offshore energy operators manage crew transport, emissions monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and security surveillance.
Set against the backdrop of increasing regulatory scrutiny and a global push for decarbonization, this strategic alliance is not just a business move, it’s a glimpse into the future of offshore logistics. With operations initially focused on the UK North Sea and East Irish Sea, and expansion potential across global markets, the NHV-Flylogix partnership may well become the blueprint for next-generation energy logistics.
Integrated Aerial Solutions: A New Era for Offshore Operations
Background and Evolution of Offshore Aerial Services
Offshore energy platforms have historically relied on helicopters to transport personnel and equipment. NHV Group, founded in 1997, has been at the forefront of this domain, operating a fleet of Airbus H175 helicopters from key bases in Aberdeen and Norwich. By 2024, NHV’s Aberdeen operations alone accounted for 7,000–8,000 flight hours annually, servicing major fields such as BP’s Clair platform.
In parallel, drone technology has emerged as a viable solution to many of the challenges facing traditional offshore logistics. Flylogix, founded in the UK, made headlines in 2019 with a 185-kilometer methane-monitoring drone flight for BP. This success highlighted the potential of drones to perform hazardous, time-consuming, and costly missions more efficiently and safely than manned aircraft.
The convergence of these two capabilities, NHV’s manned helicopters and Flylogix’s autonomous drones, presents a compelling value proposition. This partnership enables operators to access a full spectrum of aerial services from a single provider, improving coordination, reducing costs, and enhancing safety outcomes.
“This strategic partnership will bring the future of flight to the North Sea and show the industry what’s possible with leading edge drone technology.” , Charles Tavner, CEO of Flylogix
Technological Synergies and Operational Efficiency
Flylogix’s drones are equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting methane plumes with high precision. These fixed-wing drones fly at altitudes of 120 meters and transmit real-time data via low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling accurate and timely emissions monitoring. This capability is particularly crucial given methane’s global warming potential, which is 84 times greater than CO₂ over a 20-year period.
On the other hand, NHV’s Airbus H175 helicopters are optimized for long-range offshore missions, capable of transporting up to 16 passengers over distances of 180 nautical miles. By integrating these two platforms, the partnership offers a seamless solution for transporting personnel and conducting inspections or surveillance in a single mission cycle.
Applications include weekly methane scans for operators like Shell and Equinor, visual inspections of aging oil platforms to detect corrosion, and real-time surveillance of critical infrastructure such as pipelines. Notably, Flylogix’s drone operations have reduced inspection costs by up to 90%, slashing per-well methane survey costs from $1,000 to just $40.
Challenges, Opportunities, and Industry Impacts
Economic and Environmental Drivers
The economic case for integrating drones into offshore operations is strong. Helicopter services are expensive, with hourly costs ranging from $560 to $800, excluding maintenance and insurance. In contrast, drones offer a more economical alternative for specific missions like emissions monitoring and visual inspections. BP’s investment of $3 million into Flylogix underscores the financial and strategic value of drone technology in achieving sustainability targets.
From an environmental perspective, methane emissions account for approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas operations. With global initiatives pushing for a 50% reduction in methane emissions by 2030, drone-enabled monitoring is becoming a critical compliance tool. This aligns with broader decarbonization goals and enhances the industry’s social license to operate.
Furthermore, the drone inspection market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% through 2034, reaching $4.3 billion globally. This growth contrasts with the more modest 2.74% CAGR for helicopter services, highlighting a significant shift in industry priorities and investment patterns.
Regulatory Landscape and Future Trials
One of the key barriers to scaling drone operations has been regulatory approval. Historically, obtaining permission for BVLOS flights in the UK required lengthy application processes. However, a 2025 airspace trial led by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), National Air Traffic Services (NATS), and Flylogix aims to streamline this process.
The trial will test the feasibility of short-notice drone deployments for emergency methane leak response, security incidents, and storm-damage assessments. This initiative is part of the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy, which seeks to integrate drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into national airspace.
If successful, the trial could serve as a model for other jurisdictions, including Norway, Canada, and Trinidad, where Flylogix is already exploring expansion opportunities. Regulatory harmonization will be essential to unlocking the full potential of integrated aerial operations worldwide.
Expert Opinions and Global Implications
Industry leaders are optimistic about the broader implications of this partnership. Jamie John, NHV Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the safety benefits, noting that drones reduce human exposure to offshore hazards. Similarly, Charles Tavner of Flylogix highlighted the growing demand from sectors beyond oil and gas, including defense and renewable energy.
In Australia, companies like Woodside are already using drones for emissions compliance, achieving up to 90% cost savings on remediation. Analysts estimate that similar adoption in the Gulf of Mexico could yield $2.5 billion in annual savings, further validating the economic rationale for this model.
However, challenges remain. Regulatory fragmentation across countries, the need for zero-emission drone technology, and workforce retraining for helicopter pilots are critical issues that must be addressed. By 2030, up to 45% of helicopter pilots may require training in drone coordination, signaling a major shift in skill requirements for the industry.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The NHV-Flylogix partnership represents a paradigm shift in offshore energy logistics. By integrating manned and unmanned aerial services, the alliance offers a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for a sector under increasing pressure to innovate. The immediate focus on the UK North Sea and East Irish Sea provides a testing ground for this model, with potential for global replication.
Looking ahead, the partnership could extend into adjacent sectors such as offshore wind, carbon capture, and maritime security. As drone autonomy and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, integrated aerial services may become the new standard in offshore logistics. The success of this initiative will depend on continued investment in technology, workforce development, and international regulatory alignment.
FAQ
What is the main goal of the NHV-Flylogix partnership?
To provide integrated helicopter and drone services for offshore energy operations, improving safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance.
What types of services will the partnership offer?
Crew transportation, methane emissions monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and security surveillance.
Where will the partnership initially operate?
The UK North Sea and East Irish Sea, with potential expansion to other regions.
How does drone technology reduce costs?
Drones can perform tasks like methane monitoring and visual inspections at a fraction of the cost of manned helicopter missions.
What are the regulatory challenges?
Approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights varies by country, requiring harmonized regulations for broader adoption.
Sources: NHV Group, Flylogix, BP, UK Civil Aviation Authority, IMARC Group
Photo Credit: NHV
UAV & Drones
Volatus Aerospace Acquires AISPECO in $10.5M Deal
Volatus Aerospace acquires Lithuanian sensor maker AISPECO for $10.5M, integrating drone sensors and expanding into EU and NATO markets.
Canadian drone and aerial intelligence operator Volatus Aerospace Inc. has agreed to acquire Lithuanian sensor manufacturer AISPECO Uab in a $10.5 million deal that vertically integrates its aircraft operations with proprietary mission software and hardware.
Announced in a press release on October 14, 2026, the acquisition allows Mirabel-based Volatus to own the sensor layer of its aerial intelligence missions. The move reduces reliance on third-party equipment while establishing a strategic foothold in the European Union and NATO markets.
Financial terms and performance milestones
The acquisition agreement structures the $10.5 million base consideration as a mix of cash and equity. Volatus will pay $3.0 million in cash and issue $7.5 million in common shares. The equity portion is priced at the 20-day volume-weighted average trading price on the Toronto Stock Exchange as of October 12, 2026.
An additional $2.5 million in potential consideration is tied to an earnout structure. AISPECO will be evaluated against specific financial, commercial, and product-development milestones between October 2026 and October 2029. Volatus retains the option to pay this earnout in either cash or equity.
AISPECO generated approximately C$5.72 million in revenue during fiscal 2025. Following the integration, the subsidiary is expected to reach C$10 million in revenue for fiscal 2027, with a projected adjusted EBITDA margin of 8 to 12 percent on a standalone basis.
Technology integration and European expansion
AISPECO develops modular airborne sensor systems and flight-management software. The company’s product portfolio includes HELIUX pods, the FOCUS AI-guided gimbal, CORE electronics, and ROBINCOP software. These systems are designed to support multiple sensor types through a single platform, facilitating terrain mapping, utility inspections, pipeline surveillance, forestry, and border monitoring.
To date, AISPECO has sold approximately 50 complete systems globally. The technology is certified for installation on 20 different aircraft types, and the company currently has two European patent applications pending.
Volatus Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Glen Lynch stated that AISPECO has built commercially deployed technology and engineering capabilities that would take years to replicate.
“By combining our aircraft operations with proprietary sensors and mission software, we can create new opportunities across commercial, infrastructure and defence markets,” Lynch said.
Volatus manufacturing growth and AISPECO origins
Volatus Aerospace, which trades publicly on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: FLT), has been steadily expanding its physical footprint and manufacturing capabilities. The company recently opened a new drone manufacturing facility in Mirabel, Quebec, to scale its domestic production.
AISPECO was founded in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2020. The company initially operated as an aerial survey service provider before pivoting to develop and manufacture its own geospatial data collection platforms. The acquisition provides Volatus with a direct operational presence in Lithuania, a NATO member state, which the company intends to leverage for expansion into European defence and security sectors.
AirPro News analysis
We view this acquisition as a textbook vertical integration strategy within the aerial intelligence sector. By bringing sensor manufacturing and mission software in-house, Volatus captures the margin previously lost to third-party payload vendors. The hardware and software layer is often the most lucrative component of geospatial data collection, and owning the proprietary technology allows Volatus to offer a closed-loop service to infrastructure and defence clients.
Furthermore, acquiring a Lithuanian firm provides Volatus with direct access to European defence procurement networks. At a time when NATO members are rapidly scaling up their aerial surveillance and uncrewed capabilities, having a subsidiary based in a Baltic state positions Volatus to compete for regional security contracts that might otherwise be inaccessible to a purely North American operator.
Photo Credit: Volatus Aerospace Inc.
UAV & Drones
HyLight Raises 13 Million Euros to Scale Hydrogen Airship Fleet
French startup HyLight secures €13M Series A to expand its autonomous hydrogen airship fleet for infrastructure inspection.
French aerospace startup HyLight has secured €13 million in Series A funding to expand its fleet of autonomous, Hydrogen-powered airships designed for zero-emission critical infrastructure inspection. The investment will enable the Le Plessis-Pâté-based company to scale its operations from four to 15 active aircraft by 2027, targeting new markets across Europe.
The funding round, reported by Tech Funding News and EU-Startups on October 12, 2026, was backed by a consortium of investors including Rubio Impact Ventures, DRW, Teampact Ventures, Y Combinator, and Ring Capital. The capital injection aims to position HyLight’s 12-meter airships as a direct, decarbonized alternative to traditional Helicopters inspections for power lines, railways, and pipelines.
Scaling the HyLighter fleet
The company’s flagship aircraft, the HyLighter, is a 12-meter autonomous airship that utilizes helium for passive lift and a hydrogen fuel cell to power its electric motors. According to EU-Startups, the aircraft is designed to operate at a typical altitude of 25 meters, offering a target operational range of 350 kilometers and a maximum flight time of 10 hours per mission.
The airship features a 10-kilogram payload capacity dedicated to inspection equipment. This includes LiDAR sensors capable of capturing more than 1,000 points per square meter and high-resolution cameras delivering 1 millimeter per pixel resolution. The platform produces zero direct emissions and operates with minimal noise footprint compared to rotary-wing alternatives.
“Most power lines are still inspected by helicopter, just as they were fifty years ago. Our HyLighters already do the same job, with greater precision and less risk. This funding takes us from four aircraft to a fleet,” said Martin Bocken, co-founder and CEO of HyLight.
Regulatory approval and market demand
HyLight has already secured critical regulatory authorizations to conduct its missions. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have authorized the HyLighter to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) over critical infrastructure in rural, suburban, and urban environments.
The company has accumulated more than 750 flight hours, inspecting thousands of kilometers of infrastructure across Europe. Current operational clients include major European infrastructure and utility operators such as Enedis, NaTran, Téréga, SNCF Réseau, and VINCI.
Helmer Schukken, managing partner at Rubio Impact Ventures, noted that traditional helicopter inspections remain expensive, polluting, and increasingly constrained by an aging workforce. He described HyLight’s platform as a clean, scalable alternative capable of operating reliably over densely populated areas while delivering significant cost savings for infrastructure operators.
The push for decarbonized infrastructure inspection
The demand for alternative aerial inspection platforms is driven by both environmental targets and the sheer scale of global infrastructure. According to EU-Startups, there are approximately 80 million kilometers of linear infrastructure worldwide requiring regular inspection. Traditional helicopters, which dominate this sector, emit up to 1 metric ton of CO2 equivalent per flight hour.
While operators have explored other technologies, existing alternatives present operational limitations. Battery-powered drones lack the endurance required for long-distance linear inspections, satellite imagery does not provide sufficient resolution for detailed component analysis, and ground-based sensors offer only localized data collection.
HyLight, founded in the early 2020s by Martin Bocken and Théo Hoenen, previously raised a €3.7 million seed round in April 2024. With the new Series A capital, the Y Combinator alumnus has raised approximately €16.7 million to date. The company plans to use the funds to expand its operational footprint into Germany and the Netherlands by 2027.
AirPro News analysis
We view HyLight’s successful Series A as a strong indicator of shifting priorities in the utility aviation market. Traditional helicopter operators face mounting pressure from both environmental regulations and rising operational costs. By securing EASA and DGAC approval for BVLOS flights over populated areas, HyLight has cleared the most significant regulatory hurdle that typically grounds autonomous aerial vehicles. If the company can successfully scale its manufacturing and field operations to 15 aircraft by 2027, it could establish a new standard for linear infrastructure inspection, potentially capturing market share from established rotary-wing operators in Europe before expanding globally.
Photo Credit: HyLight
UAV & Drones
US Coast Guard Orders Four MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAS for $247.8M
The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a $247.8 million contract for four MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAS to expand its maritime surveillance fleet.
The U.S. Coast Guard placed a $247.8 million order with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for four MQ-9B long-range unmanned aircraft systems to expand its dedicated maritime surveillance fleet. The procurement, finalized on September 25, 2026, and announced on October 9, 2026, includes ground control stations and supporting equipment.
According to the Coast Guard press release, the acquisition leverages an existing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract vehicle, accelerating the expansion of a shared Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unmanned aircraft enterprise based in San Angelo, Texas.
Expanding the shared homeland security fleet
The Coast Guard and CBP have a long-standing history of joint unmanned aircraft operations. The agencies began operating the MQ-9A Guardian Long-Range Unmanned Aircraft System (LR-UAS) through a joint program office in Texas following a pilot study initiated in 2008. This joint program was originally designed to provide long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for ground agents on the U.S. Southwest border and was later expanded to provide maritime ISR in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Department of Homeland Security is actively scaling its MQ-9B enterprise to replace and augment these legacy platforms. In March 2026, CBP awarded a $265.5 million contract modification to General Atomics for additional MQ-9B aircraft, spares, and upgrades to support the shared DHS fleet based in San Angelo. The Coast Guard’s new $247.8 million order utilizes CBP’s existing procurement channels to expedite its own dedicated fleet expansion.
Funding for the Coast Guard’s acquisition stems from $266 million previously appropriated to the service’s LR-UAS program specifically to acquire four MQ-9B aircraft and associated equipment.
MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime capabilities
The newly ordered MQ-9B is the next-generation evolution of the platform operated by the joint program office. The MQ-9B SeaGuardian variant is specifically missionized for maritime environments. The aircraft features a multi-mode maritime surface search radar equipped with an Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging mode, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver, and high-definition full-motion video sensors.
Designed for extended operations, the aircraft can fly over the horizon via satellite communications for over 30 hours in all weather conditions. The MQ-9B is fully compliant with STANAG-4671, the NATO UAS airworthiness standard, which enables flexible operations in civil airspace alongside crewed aircraft.
Growing international market presence
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian is rapidly becoming a standard for international maritime security and coast guard agencies, highlighting its growing dominance in the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS market. The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) selected the MQ-9B for its Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Project, beginning operations in October 2022 from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Hachinohe Air Base. The JCG utilizes the platform for wide-area maritime surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response, and maritime law enforcement.
Beyond maritime security agencies, the MQ-9B platform has been selected by several allied military forces. Current and future operators include the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Qatar, Taiwan, and India.
AirPro News analysis
The Coast Guard’s decision to piggyback on the CBP contract vehicle rather than initiating a standalone procurement highlights a strategic shift within the Department of Homeland Security toward unified, cross-agency aviation assets. By consolidating operations, training, and maintenance in San Angelo, Texas, the agencies reduce redundant infrastructure costs while rapidly scaling their medium-altitude long-endurance capabilities. We view this $247.8 million order as a critical step in standardizing maritime domain awareness tools across federal law enforcement, moving away from fragmented legacy platforms toward a standardized, interoperable MQ-9B enterprise.
Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard
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