Censys Technologies Achieves Long-Range BVLOS Drone Mission Over Critical Infrastructure

A long-range Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight demonstrated how modern drone systems can perform routine infrastructure inspections with heightened safety and data quality. The operation pushed the envelope on what can be achieved with commercially available hardware and current airspace rules.

In a carefully planned test over Florida’s coastal corridor, the team conducted a multi-segment BVLOS flight, extending well beyond conventional line-of-sight operations. The mission featured a first leg of about 36 miles, forming part of a larger 79-mile plan successfully executed earlier as a two-part route between key sites. The objective was to illustrate end-to-end readiness—from automated takeoff and ongoing navigation to secure data gathering and post-flight processing—within the bounds of existing airspace permissions.

The aircraft used in the test was a compact, fixed-wing UAV equipped with precise LiDAR and RGB imaging payloads to deliver corridor-scale asset intelligence. As it traversed controlled airspace and crossed important geographic corridors, it captured high-resolution data to support grid security, vegetation management, and other critical infrastructure needs.

Proponents of the project highlighted that the mission proves the practicality of long-range automation for utility networks. Traditional inspection methods, which rely on on-site visits and limited-range drone programs, struggle to scale across thousands of miles of transmission and distribution corridors. The demonstration points toward a new model where autonomous, dock-based operations and comprehensive onboard data capture enable ongoing monitoring rather than episodic checks.

Key implications include a more integrated drone ecosystem capable of operating across regions, continuous data collection, and a streamlined workflow from launch through data verification and automated recovery. The approach aligns with the realities of maintaining complex power systems and underscores the potential for proactive maintenance and risk reduction through persistent aerial intelligence.