SKYEYE Series Product Update: New Through-Fuselage Landing Gear System for Industrial VTOL UAV Operations

The SKYEYE family of industrial UAVs has received a major structural upgrade. Several VTOL UAV and fixed-wing UAV models now feature a new through-fuselage landing gear system that reduces vibration, protects sensitive payloads, and improves long-term reliability for mapping, inspection and surveillance missions.

New through-fuselage landing gear design on SKYEYE industrial VTOL UAV.

Models Included in This Upgrade

The new landing gear system is now standard on the following SKYEYE series aircraft:

These aircraft are used globally as long-endurance industrial VTOL aircraft, fixed wing VTOL UAV platforms and hybrid VTOL UAV solutions for professional missions.

1. Limitations of the Previous External Landing Gear Design

Earlier versions of the SKYEYE series used an externally mounted landing gear fixed to the bottom surface of the fuselage. While lightweight and simple, this design had several drawbacks for industrial VTOL drone operations:

Direct Vibration Transfer Into the Fuselage

During landing, impact forces were transmitted straight into the electronics bay. Flight controllers, power modules, GPS units, payload cameras and other components were exposed to high vibration, which could cause loosening connectors, intermittent faults or long-term damage.

Higher Risk for Sensitive Payloads

Payloads such as mapping cameras, LiDAR sensors and EO/IR gimbals are extremely sensitive to shock. With the old external gear, repetitive landings could reduce image quality, affect calibration or increase maintenance frequency.

Increased Structural Fatigue Over Time

Because the landing gear was only attached to the outer fuselage, landing forces concentrated on a small area. After many flights, this could lead to structural fatigue, small cracks around the mounting points and, in extreme cases, partial detachment of the gear on hard or uneven surfaces.

For demanding missions and long-term use as an industrial VTOL UAV, a more robust and integrated landing gear solution was needed.

2. The New Through-Fuselage Landing Gear System

The upgraded SKYEYE series now features a through-fuselage landing gear design that connects directly to the internal structural frame instead of only the outer skin of the fuselage.

How the New Design Works

The landing gear passes through the fuselage and is anchored to internal structural beams.
Landing forces are distributed across multiple reinforced points, reducing stress on any single area.
Impact energy is absorbed by the airframe structure rather than the electronics bay or payload compartment.

Detail view of the SKYEYE through-fuselage landing gear system.

This structural change dramatically improves landing stability and vibration control for both VTOL UAV and fixed-wing UAV modes.

3. Old vs New Landing Gear: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Old External Landing Gear	New Through-Fuselage Landing Gear
Connection Method	Attached to outer fuselage surface only	Passes through fuselage and connects to internal frame
Shock Handling	Impact goes directly into electronics bay	Impact distributed across structural beams
Vibration Level	Higher, especially with heavy payloads	Significantly reduced vibration
Payload Protection	Moderate protection for cameras and LiDAR	Excellent protection for sensitive payloads
Structural Fatigue	Mounting points can fatigue over time	Lower fatigue, longer airframe lifespan
Risk of Loosening	Higher after many takeoff/landing cycles	Very low; reinforced connection points
Suitability for Industrial VTOL Operations	Limited for heavy-duty use	Optimized for professional, long-term use

4. Key Benefits for Industrial UAV Users

Reduced Vibration and Better Payload Safety

By routing landing loads through the main structure instead of the electronics bay, the new system protects EO/IR gimbals, mapping cameras, LiDAR and other mission payloads. This leads to better data quality and fewer unexpected failures.

Longer Airframe Service Life

Airframe fatigue is minimized thanks to more efficient load distribution. This is especially important for carbon-fiber fixed wing VTOL UAV platforms that fly long missions at high frequency.

More Reliable Performance on Difficult Terrain

The new through-fuselage gear design delivers improved landing performance on hard ground, gravel, uneven terrain and improvised landing areas, which are common in field operations for mapping, inspection, security and emergency response.

Lower Maintenance and Ownership Costs

Fewer loose parts, less vibration and better structural durability translate into less maintenance time and lower total cost of ownership for operators of SKYEYE VTOL aircraft and fixed-wing UAV systems.

5. Applications for the Upgraded SKYEYE VTOL and Fixed-Wing UAV Series

With the new landing gear system, SKYEYE UAVs are even better suited for industrial missions such as:

Surveying, mapping and 3D modelling
Power line and pipeline inspection
Border patrol and security surveillance
Maritime patrol and coastal monitoring
Forest fire detection and environmental monitoring
Search and rescue support

Whether operating as a large wingspan hybrid VTOL UAV or a mid-size fixed-wing drone, the upgraded SKYEYE series delivers higher stability and safety for professional users.

6. Conclusion: A Structural Upgrade Toward True Industrial-Grade VTOL UAV Performance

The new through-fuselage landing gear system is more than a cosmetic change. It is a structural upgrade that brings the SKYEYE series closer to the standards required by professional operators worldwide.

With reduced vibration, improved payload protection, longer airframe life and better landing performance on rough terrain, the upgraded SKYEYE VTOL UAV and fixed-wing UAV platforms are ready for demanding industrial missions all over the world.

For more details about each model, technical specifications or customization options, please visit the product pages linked above or contact the UAVMODEL team.