Droneflight

What Droneflight does

Droneflight Ltd is a UK-based professional drone services company headquartered in Barnard Castle, County Durham, operating since 2014. The company delivers specialized UAV-based survey and inspection services across seven core areas: topographical surveying and mapping, unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection via magnetometry, water sampling, invasive species mapping, digital twin creation, industrial asset inspection, and thermography. It serves enterprise, government, and NGO clients including Port of London Authority, Veolia, AECOM, Coal Authority, and several Rivers Trusts, with all projects delivered within the United Kingdom under a UK Civil Aviation Authority Permission for Aerial Work that includes night flying authorization.

The company operates a mixed fleet of professional UAV platforms: a Wingtra One GEN II fixed-wing VTOL drone equipped with an oblique camera payload for large-area mapping, DJI M300 multirotor systems paired with 45MP P1 cameras for photogrammetry and inspection, and a customized MagDrone platform integrating a magnetometer with radar altitude control enabling flight as low as 100cm for UXO detection. Distinctive proprietary systems include the MagDrone for non-intrusive UXO and ground characterisation surveys and the Speedip system using mm-wave radar for depth-specific water sample collection. AI-assisted analysis is applied to 3D model data for defect detection and to multispectral imagery for invasive species zoning, with outputs validated by human inspectors and ground-truth verification.

Droneflight generates revenue through project-based professional services contracts with custom quotes determined by scope, terrain, and sensor requirements. Distribution is exclusively direct via phone and email in a single-country UK market, and marketing is driven by published case studies, blog content, and a LinkedIn presence. The company has no disclosed external funding, operates with 1-10 employees, and is registered as a private limited company in England.

Name

Droneflight

Legal name

Droneflight Ltd

Website

https://droneflight.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerial Survey and Inspection Services

NAICS

Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts) (AFACAIAJ)

Keywords

• Drone survey services
• Aerial inspection services
• Topographic mapping
• UXO detection surveys
• Digital twin photogrammetry

Headquarters

HQ city

Barnard Castle

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Drone Survey and Mapping Services: Project-based drone surveying and mapping services including topographical surveys, digital twin creation, and photogrammetry using fixed-wing and multirotor platforms with survey-grade GPS.
2. Drone UXO Survey Services: Magnetometry-based unexploded ordnance detection using proprietary MagDrone system with geophysicist data analysis for construction and infrastructure projects.
3. Drone Inspection Services: Asset inspection services using thermal imaging, visual cameras, and 3D modelling for industrial plants, buildings, water assets, and infrastructure.
4. Drone Water Sampling Services: Water sample collection at specific configurable depths in difficult-to-access locations using specialised drone-mounted sampling equipment.
5. Invasive Species Mapping Services: Drone-based mapping and zoning of invasive non-native species using RGB and multispectral cameras with AI-powered analysis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Droneflight Ltd provides professional drone-based survey, inspection, and data capture services throughout the UK. Core offerings include topographical surveying and mapping, magnetometer-based unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection using a proprietary MagDrone system, photogrammetry-based digital twin creation, thermal imaging inspection, drone-mounted water sampling, and multispectral invasive species mapping. Services are delivered using fixed-wing (Wingtra One GEN II) and multirotor (DJI M300) platforms equipped with survey-grade RTK/PPK GPS and specialised sensors.

Product overview

Droneflight is a drone services company operating throughout the UK since 2014, offering a portfolio of drone-based survey and inspection services. The core offering spans seven main service areas: Drone Survey and Mapping (topographical surveys and digital twins), Drone UXO Survey (magnetometer-based unexploded ordnance detection), Drone Water Sampling, Invasive Species Mapping, Digital Twins, Drone Inspection, and Drone Thermography. These services are delivered using a fleet of professional drone platforms including the Wingtra One GEN II (fixed-wing VTOL for large area mapping), DJI M300 with P1 camera (multirotor for detailed photogrammetry), and the customised MagDrone platform (for magnetometry surveys). The company operates across multiple sectors including construction, environmental management, infrastructure, and heritage, providing clients with actionable data including orthomosaics, point clouds, 3D models, thermal analysis, and geophysical surveys.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drone Survey and Mapping Drone-based topographical surveying and mapping using fixed-wing and multirotor drones equipped with survey-grade RTK/PPK GPS. Delivers orthomosaics, DSM, DTM, point clouds, charts, and CAD drawings to construction and infrastructure clients.
• Drone UXO Survey Drone-based magnetometry surveys for unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection using the proprietary MagDrone platform. Identifies potential UXO targets in inaccessible areas including intertidal mud and marsh for construction and infrastructure clients.
• Drone Water Sampling Drone-based water sample collection at configurable depths using the proprietary Speedip system with mm-wave radar for accurate height measurement and automatic depth control. Supports water quality monitoring, contamination assessment, and drinking water source sampling for water companies and environmental agencies.
• Invasive Species Mapping Drone mapping for identification and zoning of invasive non-native species (INNS) using RGB and multispectral cameras combined with AI-powered zoning tools. Supports management of Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, and Himalayan Balsam for environmental organisations, rivers trusts, and landowners.
• Digital Twins Creation of virtual 3D replicas of physical assets or sites using drone-based photogrammetry and Bentley Context Capture processing. Delivers detailed models for construction progress monitoring, heritage documentation, and urban planning.
• Drone Inspection Visual inspection of industrial assets, process plants, roofs, and infrastructure using high-resolution cameras up to 48MP with GPS-tagged imagery and 3D modelling capabilities. Includes AI-assisted analysis of 3D model data for corrosion and defect detection, validated by human inspectors.
• Drone Thermography Thermal imaging inspection using calibrated radiometric thermal cameras that embed actual temperature data in images. Enables defect identification in solar panels, building envelopes, process plants, and supports real-time situational awareness for industrial fire monitoring and emergency response.
• Magnetometer Survey Drone-based magnetometer surveys for ground characterisation and UXO identification on brownfield sites, supporting critical infrastructure development projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce field time and survey costs by up to many times compared to land-based methods
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 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

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Port of London Authority (PLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership since 2016 with Port of London Authority for drone survey activities. PLA is a key reference client and go-to contractor for SUA/Drone requirements, utilizing rotor, fixed wing and bespoke survey platforms for various projects.
• Tees Rivers TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing research partnership for mapping Giant Hogweed invasive species along the River Tees. Droneflight captures RGB and multispectral data over time to assess control work impact and predict future spread.
• Tyne Rivers TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Tyne Rivers Trust for metal mine restoration mapping projects, including Garrigill Mine site restoration documentation for the Coal Authority.
• Wrexham University (Wrexham Glyndwr University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational collaboration providing MSc students with practical drone survey experience. Activities include lectures, workshops for Unmanned Aircraft System Technology students, and joint mapping projects like Woolsthorpe Manor.
• Coal AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned by Coal Authority to capture metal mine restoration works at Garrigill using Wingtra One Gen II drone. Part of environmental remediation programme.
• VeoliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviding specialist drone services to Veolia including inspection, confined space inspection, thermography and photogrammetry across multiple water assets and facilities.
• C.RO PortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntertidal survey and culvert survey completed at busy London port that remained operational during survey work.
• Ad-Manum UAS Technologies LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the FAST-Fan project consortium under Welsh Government's SMARTExpertise programme (European Regional Development Fund). Project involves design and manufacture of rim-driven electrical jet aircraft engine.
• Invertek Drives LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the FAST-Fan project consortium under Welsh Government's SMARTExpertise programme (European Regional Development Fund). Project involves design and manufacture of rim-driven electrical jet aircraft engine.
• Motor Design LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the FAST-Fan project consortium under Welsh Government's SMARTExpertise programme (European Regional Development Fund). Project involves design and manufacture of rim-driven electrical jet aircraft engine.
• Geola Technologies LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the FAST-Fan project consortium under Welsh Government's SMARTExpertise programme (European Regional Development Fund). Project involves design and manufacture of rim-driven electrical jet aircraft engine.
• Tirius LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the FAST-Fan project consortium under Welsh Government's SMARTExpertise programme (European Regional Development Fund). Project involves design and manufacture of rim-driven electrical jet aircraft engine.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Wingtra: Swiss VTOL fixed-wing drone manufacturer whose Wingtra One GEN II platform Droneflight uses for large-area mapping. Comparable as an ecosystem partner / equipment vendor rather than competitor, but represents an adjacent enabling technology in the same surveying workflow.

Direct peers

• Coptrz: UK drone services and solutions provider covering surveying, inspection and training for enterprise clients. Similar mid-sized UK drone services profile with overlapping surveying/mapping capabilities.
• Heliguy: UK commercial drone operator providing drone survey, inspection and training services across enterprise and government. Comparable on UK service offering, multi-rotor and fixed-wing fleet operations, and survey-grade data delivery to construction/infrastructure clients.
• Sky-Futures: UK-headquartered drone inspection services firm serving energy, infrastructure and industrial clients. Highly comparable on target market (industrial inspection), service mix (visual + thermal) and UK regulatory regime, competing for similar inspection contracts.
• Cyberhawk Innovations: UK-based commercial drone services company focused on industrial inspection and asset integrity surveys for oil & gas, power and utilities. Directly comparable as a UK enterprise drone inspection provider with overlapping inspection and thermography service lines and similar CAA-regulated operations.
• SurveyDrones: UK specialist drone surveying company delivering topographical surveys, measured building surveys and 3D modelling. Directly comparable on aerial surveying service offering and UK construction/infrastructure client base.

Broad incumbents

• senseFly (AgEagle): Established fixed-wing mapping drone manufacturer and services ecosystem. Adjacent/incumbent player offering comparable fixed-wing aerial surveying workflows and competing for large-area mapping projects.
• DJI Enterprise: Global market-leading commercial drone hardware and ecosystem vendor. Comparable as the dominant incumbent whose M300 platform Droneflight relies on; offers overlapping aerial imaging/survey capabilities via its own ecosystem partners and software stack.

Emerging players

• Delair: Commercial drone manufacturer and survey services provider focused on industrial and infrastructure mapping. Comparable on aerial survey product offering and target verticals, with growing services footprint in Europe.
• Quantum Systems: German VTOL fixed-wing drone vendor expanding into surveying and defence applications. Comparable as a provider of the same class of VTOL fixed-wing platforms used for large-area surveying, with overlap in target sectors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Droneflightuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/droneflight-ltd-uk
• Xx.com/droneflightuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Droneflight