New drone technology from AkzoNobel enhances aircraft coating maintenance precision

Aircraft paint maintenance has become more precise and predictable with the latest upgrade to a digital management system developed by AkzoNobel’s Aerospace Coatings division.

Launched in 2023, the Aerofleet Coatings Management service uses data-driven insights to help airlines optimise coating maintenance across their fleets. The system has now been enhanced with a second drone-based inspection tool, Iris CMX, which can directly measure coating performance using a specialised three-in-one contact sensor.

Developed in collaboration with Donecle, the tool captures accurate, quantitative data on dry film thickness, colour and gloss, improving the accuracy, consistency and repeatability of inspections.

Alongside this, the existing Iris GVI drone scans aircraft surfaces using a predefined grid, capturing up to 600 high-definition images. These are analysed by the coatings management software to detect wear or defects. The combined use of two drones significantly enhances Aerofleet’s capability to determine the optimal timing for repainting, moving beyond traditional methods based on time intervals or flight hours.

“Aerofleet Coatings Management has always been about giving airlines greater confidence in when and why they maintain or repaint their aircraft,” explains Patrick Bourguignon, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business.

“The addition of the Iris CMX brings precise, consistent measurement into the process to strengthen the data that underpins our predictive models. It also allows us to support expert assessment with more objective, consistent and repeatable inspections, while improving the speed and efficiency of the inspection process.”

With the integration of Iris CMX, the Aerofleet system now combines three key data streams to deliver a complete assessment of coating performance:

• Flight and environmental data, including route profiles, UV exposure, and humidity

• Full-surface visual inspection from the Iris GVI drone

• Targeted, high-precision measurements from the Iris CMX drone

  
  

Both drones can operate at the same time—one on each side of the aircraft—handled by a trained team, enabling a full inspection of a narrowbody aircraft in around 30 minutes.

Designed primarily for fleets of 100 aircraft or more, the service helps airlines minimise unnecessary repainting, reduce maintenance costs, and improve aircraft availability. Over time, this leads to greater operational efficiency and a lower environmental footprint.

Source: AkzoNobel