Fraunhofer IFAM and Droniq Complete Historic 112-Mile Maritime Drone Flight

In a landmark achievement for civilian drone operations, Fraunhofer IFAM and Droniq GmbH have successfully executed the first regulated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flight over open water, covering 112 miles (180 kilometers) from Cuxhaven to Helgoland and back. The groundbreaking flight marks the first successful integration of unmanned aircraft into established manned aviation routes over maritime airspace.

Breaking New Ground in Maritime Drone Operations

The mission launched from the newly established Offshore Drone Campus Cuxhaven (ODCC), utilizing a HAS S360 Mk.II fixed-wing drone manufactured by Bremen-based Hanseatic Aviation Solutions. The aircraft’s specifications proved crucial for the demanding maritime environment, featuring a 11.8-foot wingspan, 11-pound payload capacity, and 55-pound takeoff weight. Powered by a combustion engine, the drone achieved speeds up to 62 mph during the operation.

“Drones offer us a versatile tool for implementing applications in a much more resource-efficient manner than traditional methods,” explains Tim Strohbach, Group Leader for Maritime Drone Applications at Fraunhofer IFAM. The successful flight demonstrates the practical viability of long-range drone operations for critical maritime applications.

Regulatory Milestone Meets Industry Need

The achievement comes at a pivotal moment for the Industrie des drones, as regulatory bodies worldwide grapple with BVLOS framework development. The mission’s success in integrating with existing air traffic patterns provides valuable data for pending regulations, including the FAA’s mandated BVLOS framework due within 20 months.

Jan-Eric Putze, CEO of Droniq, emphasized the broader implications: “The safe coexistence of manned and unmanned air traffic is crucial, and we’ve just proven that long-distance drone flights can indeed be part of this equation. This is a significant step forward for unmanned aviation.”

Maritime Applications and Future Potential

The successful flight opens new possibilities for drone operations over the North and Baltic Seas, including:

• Critical infrastructure inspection and monitoring
• Maritime shipping route surveillance
• Environmental monitoring and protection
• Emergency response support
• Scientific research missions

The newly established ODCC facility provides essential infrastructure for further development of maritime drone capabilities, offering realistic testing environments and direct access to flight test areas near the Elbe mouth and German Bight.

Industry Implications

This achievement represents more than just a distance record. It demonstrates the maturity of current Technologie des drones and regulatory frameworks for complex maritime operations. The successful integration with traditional aviation traffic patterns particularly shows how unmanned systems can safely coexist with established air operations.

En tant que BVLOS operations continue to evolve, this flight sets a precedent for future maritime drone missions, potentially revolutionizing how we monitor and maintain offshore infrastructure, conduct environmental surveys, and respond to maritime emergencies. The demonstrated range and reliability of the system suggest that regular long-distance maritime drone operations could become commonplace in the near future, subject to appropriate regulatory frameworks and safety protocols.

The collaboration between Fraunhofer IFAM and Droniq GmbH highlights the importance of partnerships between research institutions and industry operators in advancing drone technology and applications. Their success provides a blueprint for future maritime drone operations and strengthens the case for expanded BVLOS operations in other sectors.