Osmose Receives FAA BVLOS Waiver, Elevating Aerial Data Collection Capabilities for Electric Utilities Across the U.S.
Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. (“Osmose”), a recognized leader in critical asset resiliency and life extension services for the electric utility industry, has achieved a major regulatory milestone by securing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver that authorizes Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). This advancement significantly enhances Osmose’s ability to provide large-scale, data-driven aerial inspection and asset assessment services for electric utilities nationwide.
The FAA’s approval of BVLOS operations represents a transformative step forward in drone-based infrastructure monitoring. Until now, drone operations in the U.S. have been generally limited to within the operator’s line of sight, a constraint that reduced the range, efficiency, and scalability of aerial data collection missions. With this waiver in hand, Osmose can now deploy drone teams capable of surveying far greater geographic areas per flight without requiring continuous visual tracking of the aircraft. This dramatically increases operational efficiency and enables faster identification of issues across the power grid, including structural anomalies, component degradation, vegetation encroachment, and damage from severe weather events.
Expanding the Scope of Modern Utility Inspections
Osmose has long been at the forefront of utility infrastructure inspection, combining deep industry knowledge with innovative technology to help utilities proactively manage their systems. The BVLOS waiver enables the company to deepen its integrated inspection offering by increasing flight range, optimizing resource deployment, and reducing on-site personnel requirements.
The company’s UAS fleet is equipped with an array of advanced sensing technologies, including high-resolution optical cameras, infrared (IR) imaging sensors, and LiDAR systems. These tools enable the precise collection of structural and environmental data, even in challenging terrain or hard-to-reach locations. The inclusion of BVLOS capabilities elevates this approach by allowing more data to be gathered in a single sortie, leading to faster analysis, more comprehensive asset profiles, and more informed maintenance decisions.
“Securing this waiver marks a significant advancement for Osmose, allowing us to better serve our utility partners by enhancing the speed, safety, and quality of aerial data collection,” said Mike Adams, CEO of Osmose. “It’s an important development that supports our mission to deliver industry-leading pole inspection, condition assessment, and resiliency services. As utilities face increasing challenges related to aging infrastructure, regulatory pressure, and climate-related risks, our expanded aerial capabilities position us to be an even more valuable partner in maintaining grid reliability.”
A Nationwide Waiver with Far-Reaching Impact
A notable aspect of the FAA’s waiver granted to Osmose is that it is not geographically constrained. Unlike many BVLOS authorizations that limit operations to a defined airspace or test range, Osmose’s waiver is applicable across Class G airspace throughout the United States. This provides the company with the flexibility to scale its aerial services nationwide, offering rapid deployment of inspection teams to support utilities across diverse environments from remote rural areas to suburban corridors and even challenging mountainous terrain.
The nationwide applicability of the waiver also improves response time during emergencies, allowing Osmose to quickly mobilize UAS operations following natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, or ice storms. In these high-stakes scenarios, rapid infrastructure assessment is critical for utility companies working to restore power and ensure public safety.
Neha Jatar, Managing Director at EQT Group, the investment firm backing Osmose, underscored the importance of the waiver in expanding Osmose’s capabilities and market leadership. “The BVLOS waiver is a strategic milestone that enables Osmose to deliver a more complete and differentiated solution to utilities nationwide,” said Jatar. “It strengthens Osmose’s position as the leader in integrated inspection, assessment, and resiliency services, helping customers better manage their critical infrastructure for the future.”
Integrating BVLOS into a Comprehensive Asset Management Ecosystem
The FAA’s decision not only reflects the maturity of Osmose’s UAS program, but also its commitment to safety, operational rigor, and regulatory compliance. To receive the waiver, the company had to demonstrate a high level of competency in flight planning, risk mitigation, and aircraft system reliability. This includes implementation of robust detect-and-avoid strategies, detailed operational procedures, and contingency planning for remote flight operations.
The BVLOS capability is a key enabler of Osmose’s broader strategic vision: to create a seamless integration between aerial data acquisition, ground-based inspections, advanced analytics, and engineering recommendations. By combining these elements, Osmose delivers a comprehensive approach to asset lifecycle management, helping utilities reduce the total cost of ownership while increasing system resilience and longevity.
“Utilities are seeking scalable, technology-enabled solutions to meet the dual challenges of aging infrastructure and growing energy demand,” said Adams. “Our BVLOS operations are a game changer. They provide utilities with faster access to actionable insights, enabling data-driven decisions that improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance grid reliability.”
Enhancing Safety and Sustainability
Beyond operational efficiency, BVLOS drone operations also promote safety by reducing the need for human inspectors to climb poles or work in hazardous environments. By extending the reach of drone missions, Osmose can keep its field personnel safer while still delivering the high-resolution data required for accurate condition assessments.
Moreover, drone inspections offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional inspection methods, which often rely on bucket trucks, helicopters, or extensive vehicle fleets. The reduced fuel consumption and emissions associated with UAS operations align with broader environmental and sustainability goals pursued by utilities and their stakeholders.
Positioned for the Future of Utility Infrastructure
As the electric grid evolves to accommodate renewable energy integration, distributed energy resources, and electrification trends, the importance of reliable and responsive infrastructure inspection will only grow. Osmose’s investment in BVLOS capabilities ensures it remains a forward-looking partner for utilities navigating these shifts.
The FAA waiver represents more than just regulatory clearance—it is a strategic enabler that enhances Osmose’s ability to meet the growing demand for smarter, faster, and safer infrastructure services. With a nationwide operating area, cutting-edge sensor technology, and a deep understanding of utility asset management, Osmose is poised to lead the next generation of aerial inspection services for the energy industry.
About Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
Founded in 1934, Osmose is the market-leading provider of critical resiliency, assessment, mobile contact voltage testing, evaluation, and restoration services for electric transmission, distribution, and telecommunications companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company employs more than 4,000 people. Osmose’s field technicians, professional engineers, scientists, and corrosion experts utilize their expertise to identify and solve issues to make utility infrastructure safer, longer lasting, and more resilient while lowering the total cost of ownership.