ZIYAN F15 Supports Multi-Island Maritime Patrol Mission in Zhoushan Waters

Unmanned helicopter validates long-range offshore inspection capability under low-visibility maritime conditions

A recent offshore operational exercise in the Zhoushan Putuo waters of Zhejiang, China successfully demonstrated the use of unmanned helicopter technology for multi-island maritime patrol and low-altitude coastal surveillance.

The mission was conducted by Yida Low-Altitude Technology, a subsidiary of Guohang Ocean Shipping Group, using the ZIYAN Technology F15 unmanned helicopter platform as the core aerial system.

Designed to validate operational capability in complex maritime environments, the exercise tested long-range flight endurance, multi-payload integration, and system reliability under heavy sea fog and strong crosswinds.

60-Minute Multi-Island Patrol Under Offshore Fog Conditions

The mission was carried out using a customised “4+1” offshore inspection framework tailored to Zhoushan’s multi-island operational environment.

Mission Profile

• Take-off location: Shenjiamen Dun Tou launch site

• Inspection route: Ant Island, Dengbu Island, Taohua Island, Xiaogan Island coastlines, plus dynamic monitoring of Mazhi Anchorage shipping channel

• Weather conditions: Dense offshore fog, low visibility, gusts exceeding Beaufort Force 7

• Mission result: Full operation completed within 60 minutes with precise autonomous return and zero system faults

Operating in low-visibility maritime conditions and complex island terrain, the F15 demonstrated stable hover performance, strong wind resistance, and reliable long-range flight capability.

The platform provided a persistent airborne solution for:

• Maritime law enforcement

• Offshore inspection

• Navigation channel monitoring

• Emergency response coordination

Multi-Payload Maritime Inspection Capability

During the mission, the F15 integrated multiple operational payloads to support real-time aerial surveillance and non-contact maritime enforcement.

EO/IR/LRF Triple-Sensor Gimbal

The aircraft carried a professional triple-sensor electro-optical payload system capable of maintaining stable reconnaissance performance in foggy offshore conditions and variable lighting environments.

The system enabled operators to:

• Detect illegal shoreline occupation

• Identify floating surface debris

• Monitor anchorage vessel activity

• Conduct continuous low-altitude island tracking operations

Airborne Public Address System

An onboard loudspeaker payload provided real-time audio broadcasting capability throughout the mission.

This enabled an integrated offshore workflow covering:

• Aerial warning

• Remote guidance

• Evidence collection

• Incident response support

The configuration significantly improves efficiency for non-contact maritime enforcement operations.

60km Offshore Endurance Validation

The mission also validated the F15’s long-range offshore operational capability with a completed cross-sea flight distance of approximately 60km.

Throughout the operation, the aircraft maintained stable performance across:

• Propulsion systems

• Flight control systems

• Navigation systems

• Real-time video transmission links

Low-latency image transmission and stable data connectivity enabled operators to conduct a single-flight, multi-island patrol mission without interruption.

Operational Benefits for Maritime Inspection

Compared with conventional vessel-based patrol operations, the unmanned helicopter solution demonstrated significant operational advantages:

• Approximately 60% improvement in inspection efficiency

• Operational cost reduction of nearly two-thirds

• Long-range remote tracking and evidence collection capability

• Reduced offshore personnel exposure and operational risk

• Expanded patrol frequency and inspection coverage

The exercise further demonstrated the growing role of unmanned helicopter systems in offshore inspection, island supervision, maritime governance, and emergency response operations.

Expanding Low-Altitude Maritime Operations

As a specialist unmanned helicopter manufacturer, ZIYAN Technology continues expanding its maritime UAV ecosystem with platforms designed for demanding offshore environments.

Key platform capabilities include:

• Stable operation in Beaufort Force 7 winds

• Survivability in Beaufort Force 8 conditions

• Long-range heavy-payload flight capability

• Multi-payload integration support for:

• EO/IR gimbals

• Loudspeaker systems

• Searchlights

• Communication relay payloads

From island patrol missions to maritime logistics and emergency response, the ZIYAN F15 unmanned helicopter platform continues supporting the digitalisation and intelligent upgrade of offshore operations.

For more information, visit www.ziyanuas.com