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drone-based infrastructure inspection has moved from experimental pilot projects to long-term service agreements, signaling a fundamental shift in how utilities manage their transmission and distribution networks. On September 28, 2026, Ondas Holdings announced that its Cyberhawk autonomous drone system secured a multi-year contract with SSE plc, one of the UK's largest energy infrastructure companies, covering inspection and surveying across transmission and distribution networks with scope expanding to offshore wind assets.

The three-year agreement, extendable by two additional years, represents the third consecutive long-term award in the relationship between Ondas and SSE. What makes this contract significant is not just its duration but its scope: the system will inspect both traditional electricity infrastructure and offshore wind turbines, demonstrating how autonomous aerial systems are becoming integral to renewable energy maintenance strategies.

Cyberhawk operates as a beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone platform designed specifically for critical infrastructure inspection. Unlike consumer drones or modified commercial platforms, Cyberhawk flies autonomously along pre-programmed routes, capturing high-resolution imagery and sensor data without requiring a pilot on-site. The system processes data in real time, identifying defects, corrosion, vegetation encroachment, and structural issues that would otherwise require manual inspection by technicians climbing towers or suspended in rope access rigs.

For transmission system operators, the economics of drone inspection are compelling. Traditional methods involve significant logistical coordination: road closures, tower access equipment, trained personnel, and weather-dependent scheduling. A single transmission tower inspection might require a crew of three to four technicians and consume an entire working day. Cyberhawk can inspect multiple towers in the same timeframe, with data delivered directly to asset management systems for analysis and prioritization.

The expansion into offshore wind inspection addresses one of the most challenging mAIntenance environments in the energy sector. Offshore turbines operate in corrosive saltwater environments, exposed to constant wind loads, wave action, and marine growth. Inspecting blade surfaces, tower sections, and foundation structures requires specialized vessels, helicopter access, or rope access technicians working at heights exceeding 100 meters above the sea. Weather windows are limited, and mobilization costs run into tens of thousands of dollars per day.

Autonomous drones designed for offshore operation can launch from service operation vessels or offshore platforms, inspect turbine components, and return without requiring human presence in hazardous conditions. The data captured feeds directly into digital twin models, enabling predictive mAIntenance strategies that identify developing issues before they require emergency intervention.

Ondas' approach differs from typical drone service providers in its emphasis on regulatory compliance and airspace integration. The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has established specific rules for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, requiring demonstrated safety cases, detect-and-avoid capabilities, and robust command-and-control links. Cyberhawk's design incorporates redundant communication systems, automatic return-to-home functions, and real-time monitoring by remote pilots who can intervene if necessary.

The contract with SSE follows a broader trend in infrastructure asset management: the shift from time-based maintenance to condition-based and predictive strategies. Rather than inspecting assets on fixed schedules regardless of their actual condition, utilities are using continuous monitoring data to prioritize interventions based on risk and deterioration rates. Drone inspection provides the data foundation for this approach, capturing consistent, high-quality imagery that can be compared over time to track degradation patterns.

Machine learning algorithms trained on thousands of inspection images can identify defect types, estimate severity, and predict remaining useful life of components. This capability transforms inspection from a data collection exercise into an actionable intelligence system. Asset managers receive prioritized work lists based on actual condition rather than arbitrary schedules, optimizing maintenance budgets and reducing unplanned outages.

The offshore wind application presents additional technical challenges. Marine environments demand corrosion-resistant drone platforms, reliable communication links over open water, and the ability to operate in high winds and precipitation. SSE's offshore assets likely include both fixed-bottom foundations in relatively shallow water and potentially floating platforms in deeper sites, each requiring different inspection approaches.

Blade inspection represents one of the most valuable applications. Modern wind turbine blades exceed 80 meters in length, constructed from composite materials susceptible to impact damage, delamination, and leading-edge erosion. Traditional blade inspection requires rope access technicians or specialized platforms, consuming significant time and exposing personnel to fall hazards. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging can capture blade surfaces in minutes, identifying damage that might otherwise go undetected until it propagates into major structural issues.

Tower inspection presents different challenges. Wind turbine towers consist of stacked steel sections joined by bolted flanges, subject to cyclic loading from wind forces and rotor operation. Bolt loosening, crack initiation at weld joints, and corrosion at the tower base are common fAIlure modes. Drones can capture detailed imagery of tower sections, with image processing algorithms automatically identifying bolt conditions, surface corrosion, and potential crack indicators.

The data management aspect of drone inspection deserves attention. A single inspection campaign can generate hundreds of gigabytes of imagery and sensor data. Utilities require systems that can store, organize, and analyze this information efficiently. Integration with existing enterprise asset management platforms enables seamless workflow from data capture to work order generation.

Regulatory frameworks for drone operations continue to evolve. The European Union's drone regulations, implemented through the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, establish categories of operations based on risk levels. Critical infrastructure inspection typically falls into the specific category, requiring operational authorization from national aviation authorities. Companies like Ondas invest significantly in demonstrating safety cases and operational procedures that satisfy regulatory requirements.

The workforce implications of drone inspection are complex. Traditional inspection roles require specialized skills in rope access, non-destructive testing, and condition assessment. Drone operations require different competencies: remote piloting, data analysis, and systems maintenance. Utilities face the challenge of transitioning their workforce while maintaining operational continuity. Many organizations invest in retraining existing inspection personnel, leveraging their domain knowledge while adding drone operation capabilities.

For Maxwell, who has spent over a decade designing control systems for energy infrastructure, the shift toward autonomous inspection represents a natural evolution of digital transformation in the utility sector. "The same sensors and communication networks that enable remote monitoring of substations and generation facilities now support autonomous aerial platforms," he notes. "The key is integration: inspection data must flow directly into maintenance management systems, triggering work orders and updating asset condition records without manual intervention."

The contract between Ondas and SSE signals confidence in drone technology's maturity for critical infrastructure applications. Multi-year agreements require demonstrated reliability, consistent data quality, and the ability to scale operations across large asset portfolios. The expansion from onshore transmission to offshore wind demonstrates how successful pilots lead to broader deployment across an organization's asset base.

As renewable energy capacity continues to grow, particularly offshore wind, the challenge of maintaining these assets efficiently becomes more pressing. Autonomous inspection systems offer a path to reduce maintenance costs, improve safety, and extend asset lifetimes through better condition monitoring. The technology is no longer experimental; it is becoming standard practice for utilities managing large, distributed infrastructure portfolios.

Written by: Maxwell, an industrial automation specialist with over 15 years of experience in energy infrastructure monitoring and control systems.