ZIYAN F15 Enables Intelligent Aids-to-Navigation Inspection for Smart Maritime Operations

ZIYAN Technology has successfully deployed its F15 unmanned helicopter solution for routine aids-to-navigation (AtoN) inspection, providing a safer, smarter and more efficient approach to coastal maritime infrastructure management.

Aids-to-navigation systems serve as essential infrastructure for ensuring safe vessel navigation and maintaining efficient waterway operations. However, with expanding coastal areas, complex marine environments, and widely distributed navigation facilities, traditional vessel-based inspection methods are facing increasing challenges in efficiency, safety and operational costs.

Challenges of Traditional Maritime Inspection

Conventional AtoN inspection relies heavily on manual vessel patrols and on-site maintenance operations, which often involve:

• High safety risks in offshore environments

• Limited inspection coverage and long inspection cycles

• Difficulty identifying hidden equipment failures

• High vessel, manpower and maintenance costs

These challenges make it difficult to achieve frequent and intelligent maritime infrastructure management.

F15 UAV Delivers Smarter Inspection Solutions

To address these challenges, ZIYAN F15 unmanned helicopter has been introduced into coastal AtoN inspection operations.

Equipped with a high-definition EO/IR gimbal and remote loudspeaker system, the F15 integrates aerial sensing, AI-based analysis, remote communication and inspection data collection into a single platform.

The solution enables operators to conduct efficient inspection missions while reducing dependence on traditional vessel operations.

Dual-Spectrum Imaging for Day and Night Monitoring

With visible and thermal imaging capabilities, the F15 can perform comprehensive inspections under different lighting conditions.

The EO camera identifies visible defects including:

• Structural damage

• Surface coating deterioration

• Buoy displacement

• Marine growth obstruction

The thermal camera helps detect potential hidden issues such as:

• Navigation light abnormalities

• Electrical system overheating

• Solar power equipment failures

Providing continuous monitoring capability for maritime infrastructure.

AI-Powered Detection and Remote Management

Powered by AI recognition technology, the system can analyze inspection images and operational data, automatically identify potential issues, mark locations and generate maintenance alerts.

This helps transform traditional manual inspection workflows into a more proactive and data-driven maintenance model.

In addition, the integrated loudspeaker enables real-time communication and warning functions, allowing operators to remotely address unsafe vessel approaches or unauthorized activities near navigation facilities while recording inspection evidence.

Improving Inspection Efficiency with UAV Technology

During practical operations, the F15 demonstrated strong performance in coastal inspection scenarios.

A single mission can cover up to 30 km of navigation aid inspection, significantly improving operational efficiency compared with traditional vessel-based patrols.

The UAV-based solution provides:

• Wider inspection coverage

• Reduced operational risks

• Lower maintenance costs

• More frequent routine inspections

  
  

Towards Autonomous Maritime Infrastructure Management

The F15 solution can be integrated with a smart docking station and cloud management platform to support 24/7 autonomous inspection operations.

Through remote mission planning and intelligent management, the system enables automated takeoff, inspection, data transmission and return-to-base operations.

Designed for harsh coastal environments, the solution provides reliable support for the digital transformation of maritime infrastructure management.

Conclusion

The deployment of the ZIYAN F15 in aids-to-navigation inspection represents another practical application of unmanned helicopter technology in smart maritime operations.

By combining long-endurance flight capability, intelligent sensing and autonomous management, ZIYAN continues to provide innovative low-altitude solutions that improve safety, efficiency and sustainability across maritime industries.