Swiss manufacturer Xer Technologies presented its Xer X8 hybrid-electric unmanned aircraft system at Intergeo 2025 in Frankfurt, demonstrating the platform’s advanced capabilities for large-scale infrastructure monitoring operations. The Xer X8 addresses critical operational limitations of battery-powered drones through innovative hybrid propulsion technology.
Xer X8 Technical Specifications and Performance
The Xer X8, (available in an NDAA-compliant configuration) delivers exceptional flight endurance of 2.5 hours while carrying a 3-kilogram payload, with maximum payload capacity reaching 7 kilograms for specialized missions. This extended operational time stems from the drone’s custom-built hybrid-electric propulsion system, which uses a two-stroke engine for continuous power generation throughout flight operations.
The Xer X8 maintains operational capabilities in challenging environmental conditions, including winds up to 35 knots and temperature ranges from minus 20 to plus 45 degrees Celsius. The platform’s full carbon-fiber construction incorporates foldable quick-release arms that enable rapid deployment within two minutes of arrival at mission sites.
Infrastructure Inspection Capabilities
Designed for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, the Xer X8 supports comprehensive infrastructure monitoring across multiple sectors including power lines, pipelines, and large-scale facilities. The platform accommodates diverse sensor configurations including high-resolution cameras, LiDAR systems, infrared sensors, and corona detection equipment.
Operational data shows the Xer X8 can capture high-resolution imagery of 30 to 75 electricity transmission towers during a single flight mission, significantly improving inspection efficiency compared to battery-powered alternatives. Recent partnerships with Phase One and YellowScan have validated the Xer X8’s compatibility with professional-grade imaging and scanning payloads.
Safety Systems and Reliability
The Xer X8 incorporates multiple safety features including redundant coaxial electric motors, integrated collision avoidance capabilities, and autonomous parachute deployment systems. Emergency battery backup ensures critical system functionality during unexpected situations, while the hybrid propulsion system provides operational redundancy not available in battery-only platforms.
Maintenance requirements for the Xer X8 include 100-hour intervals for routine servicing and 200-hour engine service requirements, establishing predictable operational cost structures for commercial operators. The modular design enables rapid sensor reconfiguration between missions while maintaining consistent flight performance.
Commercial Adoption and Applications
Industry adoption of the Xer X8 has expanded across utility companies and inspection service providers in Europe and North America. Primary operational deployments focus on power line inspection, pipeline monitoring, and large-scale facility assessments where extended flight time and heavy payload capacity provide operational advantages.
The Xer X8’s extended endurance capabilities enable coverage of infrastructure networks that traditionally require multiple battery-powered drone missions or costly helicopter-based inspection methods. This operational efficiency has positioned the platform as a viable alternative for large-scale infrastructure monitoring programs.
More information on the Xer X8, including pricing, is available from Xer’s website.
About Xer Technologies
Xer Technologies AG (Switzerland) is dedicated to develop, produce and market customisable, heavy-duty Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) solutions that enables our customers to generate actionable data insights and creates a safer, efficient and sustainable world.
The company is headquartered in Dietikon (Zurich), Switzerland and also has an office in Singapore.
INTERGEO
With drones playing a growing role in everything from climate resilience to infrastructure management, INTERGEO 2025 demonstrates how unmanned systems are no longer peripheral—they are central to geospatial work. For attendees, the show offers an opportunity to see the latest platforms, connect with global innovators, and hear directly from experts shaping the future of drone operations.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
