What Nordic Unmanned does

Nordic Unmanned is a European drone-as-a-service provider founded in 2014 in Sandnes, Norway, and publicly listed on Euronext Growth Oslo (OSE:NUMND) since December 2020, making it the first publicly listed drone operator in Europe. The company operates a platform-agnostic fleet including Aerosonde, Camcopter S-100, Indago, and Quantum Systems Vector/Scorpion systems under a single EASA Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) at the highest privilege level, enabling self-approved cross-border BVLOS operations across all EASA countries. Core services include maritime surveillance, emissions monitoring, oil spill response, search and rescue, border control, anti-submarine warfare support, ISR, and offshore cargo logistics for government agencies (notably EMSA framework contracts valued at €47.5M combined), defense organizations, and energy companies (Equinor, Petrobras).

The company generates revenue through managed services contracts (DaaS), professional consultancy, and multi-year framework agreements. Its Remote Operations Center in Sandnes enables centralized control of drone operations from over 1,650 km away. With 23,000+ BVLOS flight hours, 4,000 operational hours in 2024, and presence in 20+ countries, Nordic Unmanned has built operational depth across maritime vessel-based missions from nearly 20 vessels. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and LUC certifications, and has expanded internationally through wholly-owned subsidiaries in the UK and Denmark, plus a joint venture (OHI Unmanned) in Brazil for Petrobras offshore logistics operations.

Nordic Unmanned's go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting government agencies and large corporate clients, supported by competitive framework contract wins, industry event participation (NATO FORACS, HCA Airport demonstrations), and strategic partnerships. Recent moves include a €7M EMSA contract for Quantum Systems Vector deployment and a global partnership with Canadian UAVs for transatlantic certified unmanned systems access.

Name

Nordic Unmanned

Legal name

Nordic Unmanned AS

Website

https://nordicunmanned.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nordic Unmanned is a European drone-as-a-service provider operating a platform-agnostic fleet under EASA LUC certification, delivering BVLOS maritime surveillance, defense ISR, and offshore logistics to government agencies (notably EMSA), defense organizations, and energy companies across 20+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Unmanned Aerial Services (Drone-as-a-Service)

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Maritime Security Technology & Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Sensors) (BPAKALAI), Maritime Security Technology & Surveillance Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Intrusion) (TLAHANAC)

Keywords

• Drone-as-a-service
• BVLOS operations
• Maritime surveillance
• ISR services
• Offshore cargo delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandnes

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS): Recurring service contracts providing BVLOS drone operations for government and enterprise clients. Services are tailored through selection of drones, payloads, and software to meet specific customer requirements. Revenue generated through framework contracts (EMSA) and direct service agreements with government agencies, defense organizations, and corporate clients.
2. Consultancy Services: Expert advisory services including UAS suitability evaluation, regulatory advisory, crew service hiring, and training on small and large drone systems. Consultancy services are tailored to specific client needs based on extensive global drone services experience.
3. EMSA Framework Contracts: Multiple framework contracts with European Maritime Safety Agency valued at €47.5 million combined, providing maritime surveillance, emissions monitoring, oil spill response, and search and rescue support services across EU waters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nordic Unmanned delivers drone-as-a-service solutions to government and large corporate organisations across Europe, providing real-time critical insights via a platform-agnostic fleet (Aerosonde, Camcopter S-100, Indago, Quantum Systems Vector/Scorpion) configured with EO/IR, SAR, AIS, and AI-based payloads and operated from a Remote Operations Center in Sandnes, Norway, under an EASA Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) enabling self-approved cross-border BVLOS operations. Services span governmental surveillance (emissions monitoring, oil spill response, SAR, fishery inspection, border control), defense ISR (anti-submarine warfare support, dark vessel identification, coastal surveillance), offshore cargo logistics, critical infrastructure inspection, and UAS consultancy/training.

Product overview

Nordic Unmanned is a drone-as-a-service provider operating a platform-agnostic fleet comprising Aerosonde (fixed-wing), Aerosonde HQ Hybrid Quad, Camcopter S-100 (VTOL), Indago Family (VTOL), and Quantum Systems Vector/Scorpion (fixed-wing VTOL) platforms. The company delivers services across governmental (surveillance, emissions monitoring, oil spill response, SAR, fishery inspection, border migration), defence (ASW, ISR, dark vessel identification, coastal surveillance), cargo and logistics, and critical infrastructure sectors. Operations are enabled by an EASA Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) and managed from a Remote Operations Center in Sandnes, Norway.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drone-as-a-Service End-to-end drone service provision including platform selection, payload configuration, remote operations, and data delivery tailored to government and corporate client requirements across Europe.
• Governmental Services Surveillance, emission monitoring, oil spill response, search and rescue, fishery inspection, and border migration control using UAS platforms for governmental agencies across Europe.
• Defence Services Anti-submarine warfare support, ISR as a service, dark vessel identification, and coastal surveillance for NATO forces and defence clients with NATO interface-compatible secure data transmission.
• Cargo and Logistics Services Drone-based cargo delivery including urban delivery, automatic delivery in harsh conditions, infield offshore, and onshore-to-offshore logistics operations.
• Critical Infrastructure Services Monitoring and inspection services for utilities, ports, and natural resource processing facilities using real-time aerial assessments and advanced drone technology.
• Consultancy Services UAS suitability evaluation, regulatory advisory, experienced crew service hiring, and training programs for small and large drone systems based on global drone services experience.
• Remote Operations Center (ROC) Centralized remote control facility in Sandnes enabling BVLOS operations, cross-border missions, and drone-in-a-box solutions operated from a single location.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,000+ BVLOS flight hours completed safely since 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canadian UAVscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Global strategic partnership announced May 27, 2026 to provide customers friction-free access to certified unmanned systems across the Atlantic. Canadian UAVs brings Transport Canada-certified Sparrowhawk radar for BVLOS missions (FAA and FCC approved), while Nordic Unmanned contributes EASA LUC for BVLOS operations in European airspace, Remote Operations Centre, and platform-agnostic fleet. Combined capabilities support public-sector agencies, industrial operators, defence customers and NATO allies for maritime surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and counter-UAS missions.
• Quantum SystemscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Quantum Systems supplies the Vector platform for Nordic Unmanned's €7M EMSA framework contract for ship-based maritime surveillance. The Vector offers up to 3 hours endurance and 60 km operational range with VTOL capability. Nordic Unmanned operates the platform under its existing EASA LUC certification for vessel-based maritime operations.
• OHI (Omni Helicopters International)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joint venture OHI Unmanned established between Nordic Unmanned and Omni Helicopters International for offshore drone logistics operations in Brazil. Operations began July 2024 for Petrobras, marking first offshore cargo transport using unmanned aircraft in Brazil with 198km night flight to offshore platform P-51.
• UAS Denmark Test CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with UAS Denmark Test Center for hosting integrated ISR demonstrations at HCA Airport in Denmark, showcasing multi-domain capabilities for maritime and critical infrastructure protection alongside industry partners.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Schiebel: Austrian manufacturer and operator of the Camcopter S-100 VTOL UAS, which Nordic Unmanned operates in its fleet. Schiebel competes in the same maritime and defence ISR tenders with both platform sales and bundled service offerings, making it the closest direct peer.
• DefSecIntel Solutions: European maritime surveillance drone operator providing vessel-based ISR, emissions monitoring, and oil spill response services. Directly competes with Nordic Unmanned in the same EMSA and coast-guard tenders with a similar platform-agnostic service model.
• Quantum Systems: German fixed-wing VTOL drone manufacturer whose Vector and Scorpion platforms Nordic Unmanned deploys under its €7M EMSA framework contract. Quantum Systems is expanding from a pure OEM role into direct service provision, increasingly competing with Nordic Unmanned in maritime surveillance tenders.

Emerging players

• Saildrone: US-based provider of autonomous uncrewed surface vessels for maritime domain awareness, ocean data, and defence ISR — a complementary rather than direct competitor but addressing the same EMSA and coast-guard customers with overlapping surveillance value propositions.
• Anduril Industries: US-based defence technology company building integrated ISR, counter-UAS, and autonomous systems for NATO and allied governments — the same customer wallet Nordic Unmanned targets with its defence services offering. A well-capitalised emerging threat in the UAS services space.

Broad incumbents

• Textron Systems: US defence prime that manufactures the Aerosonde UAS family — Nordic Unmanned's primary fixed-wing platform. Textron also offers its own unmanned ISR services and is a broad incumbent in the aerospace & defence market competing for the same government and maritime surveillance contracts.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian maritime technology incumbent offering unmanned surface vehicles, sonar, and integrated maritime surveillance systems. Targets the same European coast-guard, naval, and EMSA customer base as Nordic Unmanned but with a much broader portfolio.
• AeroVironment: US-listed small UAS manufacturer and service provider serving defence, government, and commercial customers. Comparable in its mission of providing unmanned aerial intelligence and persistent surveillance, with substantially larger scale.
• Thales: Global defence and aerospace prime with significant unmanned systems, ISR, and maritime surveillance capabilities across European NATO markets. Competes for the same government framework contracts and represents a much larger-scale alternative.
• Saab: Swedish defence and security prime providing maritime surveillance, airborne ISR (including UAV platforms), and coastal security solutions. Competes with Nordic Unmanned across European defence and maritime-safety procurement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nordic-unmanned
• Instagraminstagram.com/nordicunmannedgroup
• Xx.com/nordic_unmanned

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nordic Unmanned