NASA, Boeing Back Drone-Based Inspection of Commercial Airliners

Autonomous system sends drones, rather than humans, to capture images in hard-to-reach places, allowing personnel to analyze them remotely.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 02:53 PM ET

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Near Earth Autonomy’s drone-based remote aircraft inspection system surveys a Boeing 777-300ER at an Emirates Airlines facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [Courtesy: Near Earth Autonomy]

Key Takeaways:

NASA and Boeing are backing Near Earth Autonomy, a startup developing autonomous drone systems for commercial aircraft inspections.
This drone technology significantly reduces inspection times from hours to under 30 minutes and enhances safety by minimizing human exposure to hazardous work at dangerous heights, potentially saving airlines substantial costs.
The system is currently in beta testing at multiple defense bases, creates precise digital twins of aircraft for detailed analysis, and has undergone flight testing with major airlines like American and Emirates.
While offering considerable efficiency and safety benefits, the widespread adoption of this drone inspection system faces regulatory hurdles from the FAA and potential concerns regarding human job displacement.

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NASA and Boeing are backing a startup that uses drones to conduct what it claims are faster, safer inspections for commercial airliners.

The space agency in a blog post last week revealed it is helping Pittsburgh-based Near Earth Autonomy develop the drone-based remote aircraft inspection system under its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The partners claim the system—which Near Earth told FLYING is already in beta testing at seven defense bases nationwide—can cut inspection times from four hours to less than 30 minutes.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.