SkyLift
Skylift UAV Limited is a UK-based company providing turnkey UAV BVLOS and VLOS solutions for offshore operations, primarily serving offshore wind farm operators with heavy-lift multi-rotors, fixed-wing VTOL aircraft, ground infrastructure, and the proprietary SkyFleet ground control software.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLeicester, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SkyLift does
Skylift UAV Limited is a UK private limited company (incorporated in England and Wales, company number 11676707) founded in 2018 by Toby Moores (CEO, commercial pilot), Lance Russell (CTO, systems architect), and Harry Getliffe (COO, former Master Mariner with seven years' offshore wind industry experience). The company designs, builds, and operates specialist commercial unmanned aerial vehicles for offshore environments, with its primary customer vertical being offshore wind farm operators. Skylift delivers turnkey BVLOS and VLOS drone solutions — including offshore cargo delivery, flight operations, regulatory compliance support, and consultation services — under an aviation-led methodology that emphasises safety and risk-managed deployment in hostile maritime conditions.
The company's product portfolio is airframe-agnostic and spans three aircraft categories: a heavy-lift multi-rotor (H5, 15kg payload / £25,000, with 100kg-class payload capacity and 200kg in development), a line of fixed-wing VTOL aircraft (V23, V40, V50) offering 90–145km range, and unmanned helicopters. These are complemented by a proprietary ground-control-software stack (SkyFleet, a cloud-based GCS built in-house for BVLOS operations), a communications-agnostic system that aggregates L-Band, S-Band, LTE, Starlink, and satellite data links, and a modular ground-infrastructure range including a Drone Port (£150,000), Sky Command containers (£34,349), the OPS-1 Mobile Command Centre (£13,750), and Skypack military-grade radio equipment (£3,943). The proprietary ADITT framework (Aircraft Design Integration Testing & Training) institutionalises a four-step progression (Simulation to Real, Small to Large, Near to Far, Simple to Complex) for testing and training advanced UAV operations. Civil Aviation Authority permissions allow VLOS operations up to 2.5km anywhere in the UK and BVLOS within segregated airspace.
Skylift monetises through five revenue streams: hardware sales of UAV aircraft and ground infrastructure, turnkey drone operations services, BVLOS and GVC training programmes (including an eight-week BVLOS course), and technical consultation for companies evaluating unmanned-technology options. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales with an e-commerce storefront offering fixed-price catalogue items and quote-based pricing for the V-series aircraft. The company is privately held, founder-controlled, with no institutional funding rounds or external investors disclosed in the available data.
SkyLift firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SkyLift
- Legal name
- SKYLIFT UAV LIMITED
- Website
- https://skyliftuav.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Skylift UAV Limited is a UK-based company providing turnkey UAV BVLOS and VLOS solutions for offshore operations, primarily serving offshore wind farm operators with heavy-lift multi-rotors, fixed-wing VTOL aircraft, ground infrastructure, and the proprietary SkyFleet ground control software.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SkyLift industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial UAV Systems
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB)
Keywords
Where SkyLift is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leicester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
SkyLift business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- UAV Hardware Sales: Sale of UAV aircraft including multi-rotors, VTOL fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. Products include H5 heavy-lift multi-rotor, V23/V40/V50 fixed-wing VTOL aircraft.
- Ground Infrastructure Sales: Sale of ground-based infrastructure to support VLOS and BVLOS operations including Drone Ports, Sky Command containers, Mobile Command Centres, and Skypack communication systems.
- Drone Operations Services: Turnkey BVLOS and VLOS UAV operations providing offshore delivery, flight operations, and operational deployment of people and drones with supporting infrastructure.
- Training Services: BVLOS training programs alongside GVC certification training. Eight-week BVLOS program delivered through simulator and practical flight training.
- Consultation Services: Technical knowledge, systems, regulatory know-how, fleet management, and design integration services for companies exploring unmanned technology options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Drone Port - Complete BVLOS deployment infrastructure package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | H5 Heavy Lift Multi-rotor UAV |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | UAV Mobile Command Centre (OPS-1) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Sky Command (SC) Container |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Skypack Long-range Communications |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | V23 Fixed-wing VTOL |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | V40 Fixed-wing VTOL |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | V50 Fixed-wing VTOL |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
SkyLift product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SkyLift designs, manufactures, and operates heavy-lift UAVs for offshore BVLOS and VLOS operations, providing delivery and logistics services primarily to offshore wind farms and maritime infrastructure operators. The company sells UAV airframes (multi-rotors and fixed-wing VTOLs), ground infrastructure (Drone Port, Sky Command containers, Mobile Command Centres, Skypack communications), and the proprietary SkyFleet ground control station software, alongside turnkey flight operations, training, and consultation services.
Product overview
SkyLift provides turnkey UAV VLOS and BVLOS solutions for offshore logistics and delivery operations. The product portfolio comprises four main segments: Aircraft (H5 heavy-lift multi-rotor, V50/V40/V23 fixed-wing VTOLs), Ground Infrastructure (Drone Port, Sky Command containerised deployment, UAV Mobile Command Centre OPS-1, Skypack communications), Software (SkyFleet cloud-based GCS), and Services (ADITT testing framework, flight operations, R&D, hangar/storage). The company follows an airframe-agnostic approach, selecting aircraft based on mission requirements, with experience across helicopters, multi-rotors, and fixed-wing VTOLs. Operations are supported by their proprietary ADITT methodology and dedicated ground control system SkyFleet.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Skyfleet: Cloud-based ground control station (GCS) software system developed as a dedicated BVLOS management platform, designed to be intuitive to anyone with aviation experience
- ADITT
Products and services
- H5 Heavy Lift Multi-rotor UAV A heavy-lift multi-rotor UAV designed for last-mile delivery operations with 15kg payload capacity, 40 minutes endurance, and 13km range. The aircraft is cargo agnostic and can be quickly configured for different payload requirements, supporting both on and offshore logistics with slung load applications. Priced at £25,000.00.
- V23 Fixed-wing VTOL Aircraft Fixed-wing VTOL aircraft with 2.3 meter wingspan, 1kg payload, 130 minutes endurance, 145km range, and cruising speed of 18m/s (65km/h). Designed for UK urban environments with safety and redundancy features. Quote-based pricing.
- V40 Fixed-wing VTOL Aircraft Fixed-wing VTOL aircraft with 4.0 meter wingspan, 3kg payload, 90 minutes endurance, 90km range, and cruising speed of 24m/s (86km/h). Quote-based pricing.
- V50 Fixed-wing VTOL Aircraft Fixed-wing VTOL aircraft with 5.0 meter wingspan, 54 minutes endurance, 106km range, and cruising speed of 34m/s (120km/h). Designed for urban environments with safety and redundancy features. Quote-based pricing.
- Drone Port Temporary infrastructure solution for BVLOS operations validation. Includes 3 Sky Command containers, canopy, fencing, flood lighting, 12-meter communications mast, drone landing pads, ATC tower, and viewing platform. Priced at £150,000.00.
- Sky Command (SC) Container Containerised deployment system based on standard ISO 20ft container. Features modular configuration, 1-hour UPS, blended C2 data connections, dedicated welfare facilities, battery charging/storage, optional off-grid setup, and 12-meter mast. Includes flight deck, communication configuration, crew welfare, and aircraft storage system. Priced at £34,349.00. Starlink and radio equipment not included.
- UAV Mobile Command Centre (OPS-1) Off-grid mobile flight command centre named OPS-1 for short-term VLOS and BVLOS deployments. Features two-pilot flight deck, 12-meter high communications mast, battery charging facilities, 1-hour UPS, welfare station, S or L-Band communications, blended data connections, and Starlink connection. Priced at £13,750.00. Van not included.
- Skypack Long-range Communications System Long-range communications enabler for military-grade radio equipment deployment. Features S or L-Band ready, IP rated, mill spec connectors, flight crew Wi-Fi access point, and lockable design. Includes Skybox (main unit), Skystick (communication antenna), cables, and 240v power cable. Priced at £3,943.00. Military grade radio equipment not included.
- SkyFleet Ground Control Station (GCS) Software Cloud-based ground control station (GCS) software developed in-house as a dedicated BVLOS system. Intuitive for anyone with aviation experience, designed to overcome limitations of existing off-the-shelf flight management software.
- Offshore Drone Delivery Services Turnkey BVLOS and VLOS UAV delivery services delivering essential tools, equipment, and cargo directly to offshore wind turbine nacelles and offshore platforms. Reduces conventional lifting processes, high-risk personnel transfers, and fuel costs from vessel diversions.
- UAV Training Services BVLOS training programs alongside GVC certification training. Eight-week BVLOS program delivered through simulator and practical flight training using the ADITT risk-managed framework.
- UAV Consultation Services Technical knowledge, systems, regulatory know-how, fleet management, and design integration services for companies exploring unmanned technology options.
- Hangar Storage and Maintenance Services Hangar and maintenance options for storing and maintaining single drones or fleets between operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ship to WTG deliveries under 5 minutes (Deck to turbine back to deck)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SkyLift
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SkyLift technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SkyLift partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SkyLift competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Zipline: Drone logistics and delivery company operating long-range BVLOS fixed-wing UAVs for medical and commercial deliveries. Comparable in turnkey drone delivery operations and proprietary flight management, though focused on healthcare/logistics rather than offshore.
- Wing (Alphabet): Alphabet-owned drone delivery company operating commercial BVLOS delivery services. Comparable to Skylift in BVLOS drone logistics delivery operations, though operating in retail delivery rather than offshore industrial logistics.
- Parrot: European drone manufacturer with enterprise and defense product lines including fixed-wing and multi-rotor platforms. Comparable as a European drone OEM with a BVLOS-capable enterprise portfolio, though serving broader commercial and government markets.
- Textron Systems: US aerospace and defense prime with unmanned systems portfolio including military UAS and aviation platforms. Comparable as a broader aerospace manufacturer with UAS capabilities, though operating at vastly larger scale and primarily in defense.
- DJI: World's largest drone manufacturer with broad multi-rotor and fixed-wing product lines used across commercial and enterprise applications. Comparable as a UAV manufacturer, though Skylift operates in a more specialized niche than DJI's mass-market portfolio.
- Delair: French enterprise drone manufacturer offering fixed-wing UAVs and BVLOS solutions for industrial inspection, defense, and surveying. Comparable as a European-headquartered fixed-wing VTOL and BVLOS drone vendor, though operating at broader scale across multiple verticals.
Direct peers
- Perceptual Robotics: UK-based autonomous drone company specializing in wind turbine blade inspection using BVLOS multi-rotor systems. Directly comparable as a UK-headquartered UAV company targeting the offshore/onshore wind vertical with autonomous BVLOS capability.
- Flylogix: UK BVLOS drone operator specializing in long-range offshore operations including methane detection and inspection over the North Sea. Directly comparable to Skylift as a UK-anchored BVLOS offshore drone-services business with similar regulatory positioning.
- Sky-Futures: UK drone inspection services company focused on oil & gas, wind, and utility assets. Comparable to Skylift in serving offshore energy customers with industrial drone operations, though more inspection-led and less heavy-lift focused.
- Cyberhawk Innovations: UK-based drone inspection and data services company focused on oil & gas, wind, and utility infrastructure. Directly comparable as a UK-headquartered enterprise drone operator serving offshore energy customers with BVLOS industrial inspection and aerial data.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SkyLift social profiles
Digital presenceSkyLift financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SkyLift leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SkyLift funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SkyLift M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SkyLift
What does SkyLift do?
SkyLift designs, manufactures, and operates heavy-lift UAVs for offshore BVLOS and VLOS operations, providing delivery and logistics services primarily to offshore wind farms and maritime infrastructure operators. The company sells UAV airframes (multi-rotors and fixed-wing VTOLs), ground infrastructure (Drone Port, Sky Command containers, Mobile Command Centres, Skypack communications), and the proprietary SkyFleet ground control station software, alongside turnkey flight operations, training, and consultation services.
Is SkyLift a public or private company?
SkyLift is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SkyLift founded?
SkyLift was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SkyLift based?
SkyLift is headquartered in Leicester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does SkyLift make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. UAV Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are ground Infrastructure Sales, drone Operations Services, training Services and consultation Services.
Who are SkyLift's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Zipline, Wing (Alphabet), Parrot, Textron Systems, DJI and Delair. Direct peers are Perceptual Robotics, Flylogix, Sky-Futures and Cyberhawk Innovations.
Does SkyLift have an API?
No public API is recorded for SkyLift.
What industry is SkyLift in?
SkyLift's product category is Commercial UAV Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAC, VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAIAL, UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.