Ziyan F15 Revolutionizes Power Line Inspection With Record-Breaking High-Altitude Trial

The ZIYAN F15 Unmanned Helicopter has successfully completed a series of rigorous testing trials in Yunnan, China, showcasing its exceptional capabilities for long-range power line inspection in high-altitude terrain. The campaign aimed to address the persistent challenges faced by conventional Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations in steep elevation gradients, rugged terrain, and rapidly changing weather conditions.

Conventional small multi-rotor UAVs typically cover only 3–5 kilometers per sortie, requiring frequent repositioning and battery replacement. These repeated interruptions reduce efficiency and can result in data discontinuity. To mitigate these issues during the Yunnan trials, ZIYAN deployed the F15 unmanned helicopter, a platform engineered for extended range and environmental resilience.

The aircraft was integrated with a high-performance LiDAR system, which enabled long-range, high-density LiDAR data collection across multi-circuit transmission corridors with varying voltage levels. The F15’s optimized flight-path planning strategy allowed for grid-based inspection, covering extensive areas of power line infrastructure while minimizing the risk of data discontinuity.

This approach has significant implications for the power-grid sector, as it enables utilities to adopt more efficient and reliable inspection workflows. One of the key performance indicators of the F15 was its maximum flight time, which exceeded 100 minutes while carrying a 5 kg LiDAR payload. This allowed single-sortie inspection of 20–30 kilometers of power line, significantly increasing operational efficiency compared with conventional platforms.

The aircraft’s multi-redundant flight-control architecture and reinforced propulsion system supported takeoff and sustained operation in Level-7 wind conditions, with Level-8 wind survivability. The integration of a LiDAR system enabled the production of dense point-cloud outputs and high-accuracy imaging throughout the tests, providing utilities with more consistent and quantifiable inspection data.

The F15-LiDAR system produced several key benefits, including high-fidelity 3D reconstruction, rapid identification of risks, and improved inspection efficiency. The system generated highly detailed 3D models of transmission corridors, enabling utilities to assess structural integrity and identify potential hazards. By leveraging LiDAR data, inspectors could quickly pinpoint areas requiring urgent attention, reducing the risk of accidents or equipment failures.

The performance trials in Yunnan demonstrated that the F15 can sustain over 60 minutes of effective flight time per sortie, capturing extensive corridors of point-cloud data. This capability supports the transition from manual visual inspections to data-driven, intelligence-assisted operations, providing utilities with a more consistent and reliable inspection workflow.

In comparison to small multi-rotor UAVs, the F15 demonstrated a significant advantage in terms of data quality and efficiency. The system achieved 36% increase in data quality by leveraging advanced LiDAR technology and optimized flight-path planning strategies, surpassing those of conventional platforms. The aircraft’s long-endurance performance and efficient flight operations reduced inspection time by a factor of four.

The success of the Yunnan trials establishes a validated technical pathway for high-altitude, data-intensive inspection of power infrastructure. By confirming long-endurance performance and LiDAR precision in challenging terrain, ZIYAN has demonstrated the potential for unmanned helicopter platforms to enhance digital and automated inspection workflows across the power-grid sector.

ZIYAN plans to continue collaboration with industry partners to advance the development of intelligent, networked, and automated inspection technologies for future power and utility applications. As the demand for reliable and efficient inspection solutions continues to grow, it is likely that unmanned helicopter platforms like the F15 will play an increasingly important role in supporting the power-grid sector.

The ZIYAN F15’s success marks a significant milestone in the evolution of power-grid inspection technologies, highlighting the benefits of advanced LiDAR systems and optimized flight-path planning strategies. As the industry continues to innovate and adopt more efficient workflows, it is likely that unmanned helicopter platforms like the F15 will become an essential component of power-grid maintenance and inspection operations.

The integration of a LiDAR system enabled the production of dense point-cloud outputs and high-accuracy imaging throughout the tests, providing utilities with more consistent and quantifiable inspection data. The benefits include rapid identification of risks, improved inspection efficiency, and enhanced data quality.