This article is based on an official press release from SwissDrones.

SwissDrones Secures First Japanese Buyer for SDO 50 V3 Unmanned Helicopter

SwissDrones, a manufacturer of long-range unmanned helicopters systems, has announced a significant expansion into the Asia-Pacific market with the first sale of its SDO 50 V3 aircraft in Japan. The launch customer, Sanwa Gikou Co., Ltd., a specialized civil engineering firm based in Kitakyushu, intends to utilize the heavy-lift drone for industrial inspections, disaster response, and logistics across the Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and West Shikoku regions.

According to the company’s announcement, the transaction was facilitated by HIEN Aero Technologies, the strategic partner and distributor for SwissDrones in Japan. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for Sanwa Gikou as it establishes a new “Large Drone Business” division, aiming to leverage autonomous aviation to address regional labor shortages and infrastructure maintenance challenges.

Strategic Deployment for Civil Engineering and Safety

Sanwa Gikou, traditionally known for pipe rehabilitation and specialized industrial coatings, is diversifying its operations to include advanced aerial capabilities. The company plans to deploy the SDO 50 V3 for a variety of critical missions, including aerial surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), and the inspection of vital assets such as pipelines and bridges.

In a statement regarding the acquisition, Sanwa Gikou leadership emphasized the potential for integrating air and land logistics.

“The SDO 50 V3 provides new opportunities to strengthen regional public services… and explore innovative air–land integrated models.”

Isao Umebayashi, President of Sanwa Gikou Co., Ltd.

The deployment is closely tied to the “Regional Collaboration & Future Hybrid Logistics Council,” an initiative aiming to create a resilient supply chain network. By combining ground transport with high-capacity drones, the council hopes to ensure the delivery of essential supplies to isolated villages and mountainous areas, particularly during natural disasters when roads may be impassable.

Technical Capabilities: The SDO 50 V3

The SDO 50 V3 distinguishes itself from common battery-powered quadcopters through its turbine-based propulsion and intermeshing twin-rotor design (Flettner system). Designed for heavy industrial use, the aircraft runs on Jet A1 fuel, allowing for rapid refueling and extended operational uptime compared to battery-dependent systems.

Key Performance Metrics

According to technical specifications released by SwissDrones, the SDO 50 V3 offers the following capabilities:

• Endurance: 3+ hours of flight time.
• Payload Capacity: Over 40 kg (88 lbs), suitable for high-grade LiDAR sensors or emergency cargo.
• Range: Approximately 100 km, enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
• Environmental Impact: The manufacturer claims the system produces 95% less CO2 and operates at a 70% lower cost compared to traditional manned helicopters.

HIEN Aero Technologies will oversee the importation, pilot training, and ongoing technical support for the aircraft, ensuring compliance with Japanese aviation standards.

Market Context: Japan’s “2024 Problem”

The timing of this acquisition aligns with broader socio-economic shifts in Japan, specifically the “2024 Problem”, a term referring to the critical labor shortages in logistics and construction due to an aging population and stricter overtime regulations. The Japanese government has responded by updating the Civil Aeronautics Act to allow “Level 4” autonomy, which permits fully autonomous flights beyond visual line of sight over populated areas.

This regulatory framework is essential for the commercial viability of long-range drones like the SDO 50 V3. By automating inspections and emergency transport, companies like Sanwa Gikou aim to maintain infrastructure integrity and public safety with fewer human personnel.

AirPro News Analysis

The Turbine Advantage in Complex Terrain

While battery-electric VTOLs (eVTOLs) often dominate the headlines, the sale of the turbine-powered SDO 50 V3 highlights a persistent gap in the market: energy density. For missions in Japan’s Kyushu and Shikoku regions, characterized by steep mountains, heavy winds, and scattered islands, battery technology often struggles to provide the necessary range and payload endurance.

We assess that the choice of a turbine helicopter is a pragmatic decision for Sanwa Gikou. The ability to refuel in minutes rather than recharge for hours is a decisive factor for disaster relief scenarios where every minute counts. Furthermore, the Flettner rotor design provides superior stability in high winds compared to traditional tail-rotor helicopters or multi-copters, making it uniquely suited for Japan’s coastal environments. This deal suggests that despite the push for electrification, liquid-fuel systems remain the superior choice for heavy-duty, long-endurance industrial aviation in the near term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary use for the SDO 50 V3 in Japan?
Sanwa Gikou will use the aircraft for infrastructure inspection, disaster response, search and rescue, and emergency logistics in the Kyushu and Yamaguchi regions.

Who is the manufacturer of the drone?
The drone is manufactured by SwissDrones, a company based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in unmanned helicopter systems.

What makes this drone different from standard battery drones?
The SDO 50 V3 is powered by a turbine engine using jet fuel, which allows it to carry heavier loads (40kg+) and fly longer (3+ hours) than most battery-powered equivalents.

Sources

• SwissDrones Press Release
• Sanwa Gikou Co., Ltd.
• HIEN Aero Technologies

This article is based on an official press release from Unusual Machines, Inc..

Unusual Machines Secures Strategic Supplier Deal with Dynamic Aerospace Systems

On December 8, 2025, Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American: UMAC) announced a new strategic supplier agreement with Dynamic Aerospace Systems (DAS), a developer of next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS). According to the company’s official statement, this partnership positions Unusual Machines as a key Tier-1 domestic supplier of critical Drones components, specifically designed to meet strict U.S. regulatory standards.

Under the terms of the agreement, Unusual Machines will provide flight controllers, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), motors, and other subsystems to DAS. These components will be integrated into DAS’s commercial and defense platforms, marking a significant step in Unusual Machines’ efforts to onshore the drone supply chain and reduce industry reliance on foreign technology.

Strengthening the Domestic Supply Chain

The core of this agreement focuses on compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and “Blue UAS” standards. As stated in the press release, the components supplied by Unusual Machines are fully compliant with these federal requirements, which are essential for securing U.S. government and defense Contracts.

Dynamic Aerospace Systems, a DBA of BrooQLy, Inc. (OTCQB: BRQL), intends to integrate these American-made components immediately into its existing production lines. The announcement highlights two specific platforms that will utilize the new hardware:

• The Breacher: A kinetic counter-UAS platform designed for anti-drone defense operations.
• The Sentinel: A long-endurance platform utilized for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

“This agreement validates Unusual Machines’ strategy to become a Tier-1 domestic supplier in the drone industry and supports DAS’s expansion into international markets.”

, Unusual Machines Press Release

International Expansion and Commercial Applications

While the agreement bolsters domestic defense capabilities, the press release also outlines significant international implications. Dynamic Aerospace Systems is currently engaged in active commercial programs abroad that will benefit from this supply chain Partnerships.

According to the announcement, the collaboration supports DAS’s planned deployments in the United Arab Emirates with the noon Group and in Greece with Drops Smart Hubs. These programs are focused on autonomous pilot delivery, commercial logistics, and infrastructure monitoring, demonstrating the dual-use nature of the technology for both defense and industrial sectors.

Corporate Context and Recent Growth

This supplier agreement follows a period of rapid operational expansion for Unusual Machines. To provide context to the current deal, recent financial data indicates the company is scaling its infrastructure to meet rising demand.

According to recent market reports and company filings referenced in conjunction with this announcement, Unusual Machines reported its first profitability in Q3 2025, with revenue reaching $2.13 million. Furthermore, in October 2025, the company raised approximately $72.1 million via an “at-the-market” (ATM) offering. These funds appear to be fueling their physical expansion, including the addition of a 25,000-square-foot warehouse and fulfillment center in Orlando, Florida, announced on November 5, 2025.

AirPro News Analysis

From Hobbyist Roots to Defense Tier-1

We view this agreement as a pivotal moment in Unusual Machines’ corporate evolution. Historically known for its consumer-facing brands like Fat Shark and Rotor Riot, the company is aggressively pivoting toward the high-value defense and industrial sectors. By securing a supplier role for kinetic interceptors (The Breacher) and ISR platforms (The Sentinel), UMAC is effectively validating its thesis that the U.S. drone industry requires a bifurcated Supply-Chain, moving away from Chinese-dominated components toward NDAA-compliant domestic alternatives.

The timing is also notable. With the recent $25 million strategic Investments in XTI Aerospace closed in November 2025, Unusual Machines is consolidating its influence across the broader Aerospace sector, moving beyond simple component retail into complex systems integration support.

Sources

Sources: Unusual Machines Press Release, Unusual Machines Investor Relations

This article is based on an official press release from Reliable Robotics.

Reliable Robotics Awarded NASA Contract to Validate Large UAS Operations at Airports

Reliable Robotics has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). Announced on December 10, 2025, this agreement tasks the Mountain View-based company with conducting operational demonstration flights to validate safety standards for integrating large Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).

The contract focuses on utilizing the company’s automated Cessna 208B Caravan to collect critical flight data. According to the press release, these operations will take place “at and around airports” to simulate real-world regional air cargo scenarios. The data gathered is intended to assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) in finalizing performance standards for large uncrewed aircraft.

Testing Scope and Contingency Management

A primary objective of this testing campaign is to demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to handle system failures without human intervention. Reliable Robotics stated that the flights will specifically validate the system’s capacity to manage “lost command and control (C2) links” and navigate effectively in “GPS degraded or denied” environments.

The testing timeline indicates that data collection and final demonstrations are scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2026. The final demonstration flights are planned to occur between the Mojave Air and Space Port (MHV) and Edwards Air Force Base (KEDW) in California. Rehearsal flights will likely take place within California’s high-desert test corridors, with specific locations currently being determined in collaboration with NASA.

“This testing campaign comes at a unique moment in time, when safety-enhancing aircraft autonomy is rapidly nearing FAA certification and entry into service for regional air cargo and military use cases.”

, Robert Rose, Co-founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics

Regulatory Implications and Technology

The contract falls under NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) mission. The data collected is expected to be instrumental in writing the Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS), which are necessary for large UAS to fly commercially without special waivers. While current tests often utilize visual observers, the program aims to validate Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems that will eventually replace human eyes in the sky.

The Reliable Autonomy System

Reliable Robotics utilizes its proprietary Reliable Autonomy System (RAS), which is designed to be aircraft-agnostic. The system is currently certified on the Cessna 208B Caravan and the Cessna 172. Unlike traditional autopilots that disconnect during a failure, forcing a human pilot to take over, the RAS is designed to be “fail operational.” This means the system manages contingencies internally, maintaining safety even if specific components or links fail.

AirPro News Analysis

We note that the designation of this award as an SBIR Phase III contract is significant. Unlike Phase I or II awards, which focus on feasibility and research and development, Phase III contracts are funded by non-SBIR programmatic funds and typically indicate that a technology is ready for commercialization or government application. This suggests NASA views Reliable Robotics’ platform not just as an experiment, but as a mature tool for defining the future of airspace integration.

Furthermore, the dual-use nature of this technology is evident. While this specific contract focuses on civil aviation standards, Reliable Robotics continues to hold contracts with the U.S. Air Force. The data derived from these NASA tests regarding GPS-denied environments will likely have direct applications for military logistics in contested environments.

Company Background

Founded in 2017 by SpaceX and Tesla veterans Robert Rose and Juerg Frefel, Reliable Robotics has raised over $133 million in funding. The company achieved a significant milestone in November 2023 when it successfully flew a Cessna 208B Caravan with no pilot on board. This new NASA contract builds upon previous partnerships, including the AAM National Campaign, where the company served as a vehicle partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft is being used for these tests?
Reliable Robotics will use its automated Cessna 208B Caravan, a standard regional cargo aircraft retrofitted with the Reliable Autonomy System.

When will the testing be completed?
According to the announcement, data collection and final demonstrations are scheduled to conclude by Q3 2026.

What is the main goal of the testing?
The primary goal is to validate safety standards, specifically regarding how large uncrewed aircraft handle communication losses and GPS failures in airport environments.

Sources:
Reliable Robotics Press Release