AkzoNobel Integrated Drone Sensor Into Inspection Service
The new system utilizes autonomous drones to shorten aircraft coating inspections to just 30 minutes.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Robotics
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AkzoNobel has incorporated the Iris CMX sensor drone into its Aerofleet Coatings Management service. This robotic advancement allows narrowbody aircraft inspections to be completed in roughly 30 minutes, compared to five to eight hours for manual visual checks.
Why it matters
The technology addresses the historical challenges of manual inspection, such as inconsistent positioning and limited visibility in confined spaces. By identifying degradation earlier, airlines can target repairs more effectively and reduce overall maintenance overhead.
The system utilizes a two-drone setup to scan narrowbody aircraft in 30 minutes, replacing manual processes that require up to eight hours. Airlines utilizing the Aerofleet service may see annual savings of 10% to 20% on repainting and out-of-service costs.
The players
AkzoNobel
This Dutch multinational company specializes in paints and high-performance aerospace coatings for the aviation industry.
Donecle
Based in Toulouse, France, this company specializes in the development of automated drone solutions for industrial inspection.
Air France-KLM
This major international airline group currently utilizes drone technology for its aircraft maintenance and fleet operations.
The details
Developed in partnership with Donecle, the Iris CMX drone employs laser navigation and pre-defined flight programs to manage complex aircraft liveries. The drone uses extra propellers for multidirectional thrust, ensuring constant contact for its three integrated sensors as it aggregates flight, environmental, and measurement data.
Timeline
AkzoNobel introduced the Aerofleet Coatings Management service in 2023.
The report regarding the Iris CMX integration was published on September 21, 2026.
Under the Hood
The deployment of the Iris CMX sensor drone reflects the broader industry movement toward automated diagnostics in aerospace maintenance. This technology replaces legacy manual inspection methods by leveraging laser navigation and specialized contact-based sensing to bridge the gap between periodic manual checks.
The adoption of this technology aims to minimize out-of-service time for aircraft, potentially leading to fewer maintenance-related schedule delays for passengers. For airlines, the integration of autonomous drones simplifies the logistics of fleet management and reduces the costs associated with annual painting cycles.
The takeaway
Automated drone inspections significantly improve maintenance efficiency by eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual visual assessment. Airlines can implement these robotic solutions to reduce operating costs and ensure more precise, data-backed oversight of their fleets.
Further reading
For more on the evolution of automated maintenance, explore the latest updates in Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Products Finishing.
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