Industrial Drones · Continuous Tethered Power
During inspections inside ship compartments, large storage tanks, boilers and offshore facilities, drones often need to observe structural surfaces continuously, record defect locations and collect data across extensive areas.
For conventional battery-powered drones, flight endurance can be a factor affecting inspection efficiency. Frequent landings and battery changes not only interrupt the inspection process but can also increase the workload involved in on-site operations and equipment deployment.
The Scout 137 Gen3 tethered industrial drone system from Norway's ScoutDI, however, can fly continuously without the endurance limitations of conventional batteries.
How does it achieve this?
01 Tethered Power: No More Frequent Battery Changes
The Scout 137 Gen3 uses a tethered design (Tethered Drone System). Unlike conventional drones powered by onboard batteries, it receives a continuous supply of electricity through a tether connected to the ground station.
As long as the power supply meets the requirements, the drone does not need to return to the ground repeatedly to replace depleted batteries.
Unlimited flight time
60 m maximum tether length
The tether supplies continuous power, eliminating the need to return because of a low battery.
It is important to clarify that “unlimited flight time” here means freedom from the endurance limitations of conventional battery capacity. It does not mean that the equipment can operate indefinitely without on-site power, maintenance or safe operating conditions.
02 One Cable Does More Than Supply Power
In addition to supplying continuous power, the Scout 137 Gen3 tether carries control signals and data.
In confined spaces with complex metal structures, such as large storage tanks and ship compartments, wireless communications can be affected by structural obstructions and other factors.
Wired power and data communications help improve signal transmission stability, supporting operators as they continuously receive inspection footage from the site and control the equipment.
The tethered design therefore not only addresses endurance limitations but also provides an important technical foundation for the Scout 137 Gen3's ability to operate in complex industrial environments.
An operator controlling the drone on site.
03 What Continuous Flight Means for Inspections
In practical industrial inspections, more available flight time gives operators greater freedom to organize work around inspection requirements, rather than constantly having to consider the remaining battery charge.
- Fewer operational interruptions: In large storage tanks, cargo holds and other complex industrial spaces, interruptions caused by battery changes can be reduced.
- Greater inspection flexibility: When examining corrosion, coating damage and other areas requiring close attention, operators can adjust viewing angles, dwell times and inspection routes according to actual conditions.
- Support for detailed testing: For inspection tasks requiring longer operating times, such as ultrasonic thickness measurement using a UTM module, continuous power also helps reduce the impact of endurance limitations on work planning.
Actual operations must, of course, still take account of tether length, site conditions, equipment condition and safe operating requirements.
Continuous inspection work in a large space.
04 Turning Endurance Advantages into Greater Efficiency
The value of an industrial drone lies not simply in its ability to fly continuously, but in using that capability to complete real inspection tasks more efficiently.
Combining tethered power, navigation in GPS-denied environments, 4K image capture and 3D LiDAR, the Scout 137 Gen3 offers a new option for confined-space inspections in ships, offshore installations, storage tanks and other industrial facilities.
For inspection tasks involving prolonged observation, repeated verification and systematic data collection, continuous power reduces endurance-related constraints, allowing operators to focus more fully on the inspection itself.
From flight in GPS-denied environments to continuous tethered power, the Scout 137 Gen3 is using specialized technical design to advance safer, more efficient and more digitalized confined-space inspections.
Inspection work inside a storage tank.
Tecway Maritime continues to follow the application of ScoutDI industrial drones in inspections of ships, offshore installations and industrial facilities. Please contact us to learn more about the Scout 137 Gen3's product capabilities and suitable applications.
About Tecway
Founded in Hong Kong in 1993, Tecway International Limited is a leading technical consultant and high-quality representative in the global maritime industry. Drawing on more than three decades of experience, it has developed five core business areas: marine equipment, petrochemical storage and transportation, diesel engines and internal combustion engines, maritime technical services, and maritime consultancy. Its operations cover major markets including China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Tecway Maritime is a professional team specializing in green shipping and maritime consultancy. Focusing on shipping companies' low-carbon transition and regulatory compliance needs, it provides EU ETS, UK ETS and FuelEU compliance consultancy, EUA/UKA allowance procurement support, FuelEU Pooling compliance pool services, support for green marine fuel projects, export solutions for Chinese-made marine equipment, Norwegian ScoutDI industrial drone solutions, and FGSS/CHS technical services for dual-fuel vessels.
We are also committed to the diesel engine and internal combustion engine manufacturing industry, supplying products such as the Cylinder Liner Diameter Measurement (CLDM) system and providing technical support. From sales consultancy, installation and commissioning to training and after-sales service, our responsive service network offers dependable expertise and reliability.
Business inquiries: Manager Xiong
Website | tecwayintl.com
Inquiry telephone | 021-6917 7751
Email | jacky.xiong@tecwayintl.com