How JBUAS and SPH Engineering Are Transforming UAV‑Based Geophysics in the UK

Over the past decade, drone‑based sensing has moved from experimental curiosity to a proven, commercially viable toolset for surveyors, engineers, and environmental specialists.

At the centre of this shift in the UK is the close partnership between JBUAS and SPH Engineering, a collaboration that has accelerated the adoption of advanced UAV geophysical technologies across multiple industries.

Today, JBUAS stands as SPH Engineering’s official UK reseller, integration partner, and demonstration centre, delivering fully configured drone surveying systems built around SPH’s UgCS core system, SkyHub onboard computer, and a growing suite of specialised sensors.

A Partnership Built on Technical Depth

The relationship between JBUAS and SPH Engineering is not a simple reseller arrangement. It is a daily, collaborative technical exchange that spans:

• sensor integration and testing
• flight‑planning optimisation
• terrain‑following and obstacle‑avoidance workflows
• magnetometry, GPR, echo sounding, methane detection, and other specialised payloads
• hands-on project support for clients adopting UAV‑based geophysical survey methods

The relationship between JBUAS and SPH ensures that UK customers receive not only the hardware but also the expertise needed to deploy it effectively in demanding environments.

The UK’s Dedicated UAV Geophysical Test & Training Centre

In 2024, JBUAS launched a 7,500 m² geophysical drone test and training centre — the first facility of its kind in the UK. Purpose‑built around SPH Engineering’s technologies, the site allows clients to experience:

• True Terrain Following missions
• multi‑sensor workflows
• buried‑target simulation
• magnetometer and GPR calibration
• echo‑sounder deployment in controlled conditions

This centre has rapidly become a national hub for organisations seeking hands‑on training, system trials, and proof‑of‑concept demonstrations.

Delivering Integrated Systems for Real‑World Problems

JBUAS specialises in building complete, ready‑to‑deploy UAV platforms that combine:

• DJI M300 RTK, DJI M350 RTK, and DJI M400 aircraft
• SPH Engineering’s SkyHub onboard computer
• TTF radar
• interchangeable geophysical sensors
• custom mounting solutions
• workflow training and operational support

This modular approach allows surveyors and engineers to switch between sensors quickly, adapting a single aircraft to multiple project types — from utility mapping and archaeology to environmental monitoring and infrastructure inspection.

Driving Industry Adoption Across the UK and Beyond

The partnership has already supported projects across construction, energy, utilities, environmental remediation, and heritage sectors. As demand grows for faster, safer, and more cost‑effective subsurface and environmental data collection, UAV‑based sensing is becoming a mainstream tool — and JBUAS is at the forefront of that transition.

Increasingly, JBUAS is also being invited to support international deployments, reflecting SPH Engineering’s confidence in the company’s technical capability and training expertise.

A Shared Vision

JBUAS and SPH Engineering are committed to pushing the boundaries of what UAVs can achieve. With new sensors, improved autonomy, and expanding software capabilities on the horizon, the partnership is positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in drone geophysics.

For UK organisations seeking to modernise their survey workflows, reduce field risk, and unlock new data‑collection capabilities, JBUAS provides not just equipment — but gives organisations the skills to maximise their drone‑based survey services.

JBUAS Open Days 2026 Showcase the Expanding Role of Drone Sensor Technology

JBUAS Open Days 2026 demonstrated how advanced drone sensors are transforming geophysical surveying, environmental monitoring, archaeology, construction and other specialist applications.

JB Unmanned Aerial Systems (JBUAS) welcomed industry professionals, technology specialists and drone operators to its 2026 Open Days on 7–8 July. The event brought together leading experts in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), geophysical sensors, data processing and drone operations. JBUAS hosted the event at its Test & Trial Centre (TTC) near Peterborough. The two-day event combined technical presentations, live drone demonstrations and data-review sessions. Across these platforms, JBUAS showed how operators can use UAV technology to collect increasingly sophisticated information from the air.
The event highlighted a significant shift in the role of drones. Rather than simply providing an aerial platform for conventional cameras, modern UAS can carry specialist sensors that survey teams traditionally deploy from people, vehicles and boats.

From drones to data collection platforms

One of the key themes of the JBUAS Open Days was the growing range of sensors that can be integrated with drones.
The programme featured demonstrations and presentations covering:

• UAV magnetometers and gradiometers
• Ground penetrating radar (GPR)
• Gamma-ray spectrometers
• Electromagnetic (EM) sensing
• Methane and other gas detection
• Echo sounders and multibeam sonar
• Sidescan sonar
• Water sampling technology

The demonstrations included SENSYS R1 and R4 magnetometer systems, MagNIMBUS, the MagWalk system and MagBase. In addition, hydrographic sensors, including the ECT400S EchoSounder and water samplers were discussed. On the second day, visitors saw live demonstrations of Falcon laser methane detection, GEM 2 EM sensing, gamma-ray spectrometry and Aero 500/600 MHz GPR. This breadth of technology demonstrates how UAVs are increasingly becoming flexible data-collection platforms. Drone technology is capable of supporting specialist investigations across a wide range of environments.

Advanced sensors for real-world applications

Survey teams have deployed many of the sensor technologies demonstrated at the JBUAS Open Days manually for decades. The important development is how integrating these sensors with UAV platforms can change the way surveyors collect data. Magnetometers, for example, have a long history in geological and mineral exploration. At the JBUAS Open Days, visitors saw how modern drone-mounted magnetometers can be deployed for airborne geophysical surveying. This approach can provide an alternative to conventional ground-based survey methods, particularly where terrain, vegetation, water or access makes traditional surveying difficult.

Potential applications include:

• Mineral exploration and geological mapping
• Archaeological investigation
• UXO and buried-object detection
• Construction and infrastructure surveys
• Pipeline and utility investigations
• Methane and gas monitoring
• Soil and environmental mapping
• Bathymetric and riverbed surveys
• Pollution and legacy mining investigations

The event’s programme also demonstrated the growing importance of data processing alongside sensor hardware, with dedicated sessions examining magnetometer, GPR, gamma-ray, EM and hydrographic datasets.

Drone magnetometry takes centre stage

JBUAS showcased drone-based magnetometry as one of the event’s key technologies.
The Open Days included live demonstrations of SENSYS magnetometer technology and the SPH MagNIMBUS system, giving visitors the opportunity to see how operators can carry out airborne magnetic surveying using UAV platforms. The technology is particularly relevant to applications where teams need to survey large areas efficiently or where ground access is difficult. A recent Mining Magazine feature from the event also highlighted the evolution of magnetometers from instruments traditionally used by geologists to airborne systems integrated with modern UAV platforms. GPR, gamma-ray and gas detection from the air. The Open Days also demonstrated how drones are extending the reach of other specialist sensing technologies.

Speakers included JBUAS Director Jonathan Brindley, ERCS International Director Ed Rich, SENSYS project engineer Markus Schikorra, SPH Engineering Partnership Director Janis Janums, Skyworthy founder Martin Johnson, Radar Systems’ Sergey Zelenkov and Medusa Radiometrics representatives Steven van der Veek and Carola Kolkena.
The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss practical applications, operational challenges and the future direction of drone-based sensing.

The future of drone-based surveying

The JBUAS Open Days 2026 demonstrated how quickly UAV technology is developing beyond conventional aerial imaging.
The combination of increasingly capable sensors, autonomous flight planning, advanced data processing and specialist UAV platforms is opening up new possibilities for geophysical and environmental surveying. From detecting buried objects and mapping geological features to monitoring gases, surveying waterways and investigating archaeological sites, drones are becoming an increasingly versatile tool for collecting information from challenging environments.

For JBUAS, the Open Days provided an opportunity to demonstrate this technology in practical, real-world applications and to bring together the organisations developing, supplying and using the next generation of drone-based survey systems. As the technology continues to develop, the future of UAS surveying is likely to be defined not simply by how drones fly, but by the quality and variety of data they can collect. JBUAS would like to thank all speakers, partners, visitors and attendees who contributed to the success of the 2026 Open Days.

About JBUAS

JB Unmanned Aerial Systems (JBUAS) specialises in the integration of advanced sensors with unmanned aerial systems. Working closely with technology partners including SPH Engineering, SENSYS, Radar Systems and Medusa Radiometrics, JBUAS provides drone-based solutions for geophysical surveying, environmental monitoring, archaeology, hydrography and other specialist applications.

JBUAS has delivered the UgCS Pergam Falcon TDLAS system to a UK client for use on methane surveys in 2022. Industry forecasts suggest the volume of work in 2022 will triple. Further systems will be ordered to meet these expectations via a framework arrangement.

The Integrated System

JBUAS, in partnership with SPH Engineering (UgCS), can provide a methane detection & survey solution to support ISO16064 today. Operators will utilise the same technology for future quantification requirements. Therefore, investing in this technology today will enable drone survey companies to meet future EA requirements.

Make an enquiry to find out more.

The system kit utilises the UGC-SkyHub and TTF system, proven reliable with the DJI M210, M600 Pro, and DJI M300 RTK.

The drone methane detection & survey system from JBUAS is an integrated solution that includes an eye-safe class 2 laser from Pergam-Suisse. Consequently, this system enables Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), which records methane gas in Parts Per Million x Metres (PPMxM). This approach provides a more accurate assessment of gas release than simple handheld measurement methods.

Make an enquiry to find out more.

About Methane

The production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil emit methane gas. Additionally, livestock, agricultural practices, land use and landfill waste all contribute to methane emissions. To compare these gases, scientists use a metric called Global Warming Potential (GWP). GWP compares a gas’s warming effect against an equivalent mass of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The following data comes from an IPCC support paper authored in 2018. Overall, the research gives a good indication of the effects of the gases over time. Over a 20-year period, methane gas is 84x more effective at warming our climate.

Methane can be characterised as a “super-pollutant”. Methane remains in the atmosphere for only 12 years. However, it is up to 86 times more powerful in warming the climate in the short term than the most discussed greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Moreover, methane is also a major precursor for tropospheric ozone, which harms both human health and plant growth. While some 40% of methane is natural, about 60% of it originates from anthropogenic sources, mostly in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors.

Make an enquiry to find out more about drone methane surveys