How MSS Security Transformed Port Lincoln Airport Safety with BVLOS Drone Operations in Australia

MSS Security employs approximately 8,000 staff managing defense contracts, government facilities, and 22 airports throughout Australia. Beyond traditional security services, the company has expanded into strategic medical services and specialized safety training, making it Australia's largest private medical service provider. Owned by SIS, one of Asia Pacific's most significant security companies, MSS Security has leveraged this backing to accelerate its technological advancement in drone operations.
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At NestGen '25, we spoke with Gregory Neyland, Head of Aviation and Emerging Technologies and Chief Remote Pilot at MSS Security, a leader in integrated security services across Australia and one of Asia Pacific's largest security providers. Here's what they had to say about integrating autonomous drones into security operations 👇

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"About a week before we were supposed to go live, they finally came back to me after chasing them up about getting the software connected to our drones, and they said we don't have it. So, naturally, fear and panic set in." - Gregory Neyland, Head of Aviation and Emerging Technologies, MSS Security

MSS Security faced multiple challenges in implementing drone technology for security operations:

• Last-minute technology failure: Their original drone control software provider revealed just one week before a critical five-week infrastructure facility trial that they couldn't deliver the promised BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) capabilities.
  
• Stringent regulatory barriers: Obtaining approval from CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) for drone operations at Port Lincoln Airport required an unprecedented 18-month process with no existing precedent for such operations in Australia.
  
• Complex operational environment: Airport operations demand exceptional safety measures, reliable performance in variable weather conditions, and seamless integration with existing security protocols.
  
• Geographic coverage limitations: Traditional security measures including guards and fixed CCTV cameras left significant gaps in perimeter security, particularly during nighttime hours when security risks are highest.
  

As Australia's largest security provider, MSS Security was increasingly encountering clients who wanted integrated drone capabilities rather than subcontracted services. Without a reliable drone management system, they risked losing competitive advantage in an evolving security landscape.

When their original provider failed to deliver BVLOS capabilities, MSS Security needed an immediate solution. Through industry connections, they were introduced to FlytBase, which provided:

• Rapid deployment capability: Within 24 hours of initial contact, FlytBase established connections to MSS Security's drone-in-a-box units and provided comprehensive training sessions for their pilots within days.
  
• Reliable drone-in-a-box system: The implemented solution included three drone docks with multiple DJI drones equipped with specialized cameras for day/night operations and two-way communication capabilities.
  
• Autonomous flight management: FlytBase's software enabled pre-programmed flight paths with geofencing, exclusion zones, and autonomous return-to-base functionality that maintained operational integrity even during connectivity disruptions.
  
• Real-time monitoring and control: The system allowed remote pilots to observe video feeds while AI systems simultaneously analyzed footage for security threats, providing dual-layer threat detection.
  
• Two-way communication: Drones equipped with speakers enabled direct communication with people on the ground, allowing for immediate response to detected security incidents.

The security drone system operates through a systematic workflow:
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1. Autonomous drones are deployed on scheduled flights or triggered by security events, following pre-programmed flight paths that cover critical perimeter areas, particularly during high-risk nighttime hours.
   
   
2. Live video feeds from the drones are transmitted through FlytBase's software to both remote pilots and on-site security personnel equipped with tablets.
   
   
3. AI analysis simultaneously scans the video feed to identify security threats including unauthorized personnel, vehicles approaching perimeter fences, and wildlife intrusions.
   
   
4. When threats are identified (either by AI or human operators), security staff can manually override autonomous operations to investigate closer.
   
   
5. Using onboard speakers, operators can communicate directly with individuals detected in restricted areas while security personnel are dispatched.
   
   
6. All data is automatically documented through MSS Security's proprietary reporting software, which generates tickets for security personnel to respond to identified threats.

The implementation process revealed significant challenges in both the technical and regulatory domains. For the infrastructure facility trial, MSS Security faced numerous technical obstacles including generator failures, Starlink connectivity issues, and radio communication problems.

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Despite these challenges, FlytBase provided continuous support with immediate solutions for SIM backup issues and connection dropouts, enabling the successful completion of the trial. The Port Lincoln Airport implementation represented a more significant regulatory milestone.

The 18-month approval process with CASA was unprecedented, as Gregory Neyland explained: "Initially, it was no. You're not going to be able to get a drone. There's no way we're going to allow a drone to be at the airport."

Working with aviation consultants, MSS Security methodically addressed each regulatory concern, developing tailored flight paths, operational time restrictions, and comprehensive risk mitigation strategies. This persistence resulted in Australia's first approval for BVLOS drone operations at an airport, establishing a precedent for future deployments.
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The implementation of FlytBase's autonomous drone solution has delivered significant security improvements across MSS Security's operations:
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Enhanced Detection Capabilities
The system has successfully identified unauthorized personnel, vehicles approaching perimeter areas, and wildlife intrusions that traditional security measures might have missed. During nighttime operations at Port Lincoln Airport, the drones detected foxes and dogs that had breached the perimeter—threats that could potentially interfere with aircraft operations.
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Operational Efficiency
"We run this now most nights around the perimeter of the entire airport. It's a much safer, time-effective use of a resource that we can do to find people with ill intent to interfere with aviation." - Gregory Neyland, Head of Aviation and Emerging Technologies, MSS Security

The autonomous nature of the solution allows for consistent security coverage with reduced human resources compared to traditional security patrols. The integration with their proprietary AI and reporting software creates an end-to-end security solution that automatically dispatches guards when threats are detected.
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Expanded Security Applications
The success of the airport implementation has led to interest from other sectors, including universities seeking nighttime security for dormitory areas and BHP mining operations needing rail line and perimeter monitoring. MSS Security's ability to offer drones as an integrated service has strengthened their competitive position in the market.

Building on their successful implementations, MSS Security has already submitted seven additional BVLOS operation approvals across Australia. Their next deployment is scheduled at a BHP mining site in Newman, where drones will patrol rail lines and perimeter areas during nighttime hours to detect unauthorized entry attempts and prevent vehicle theft.
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The company is also exploring integration of advanced AI capabilities through their proprietary systems and investigating potential collaboration with FlytBase's AI offerings. These developments align with their strategy to create comprehensive security solutions that complement traditional guards and control room monitoring with advanced aerial surveillance.
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Gregory Neyland noted interest in learning from more advanced European drone operations, indicating MSS Security's commitment to continuous improvement and adoption of global best practices in autonomous security.

MSS Security's implementation of FlytBase's autonomous drone solution represents a significant advancement in security operations across critical infrastructure in Australia. By becoming the first company to achieve BVLOS approval for airport operations, they have established both a competitive advantage and a precedent for future deployments.

As Gregory Neyland summarized: "Whatever issue we think of throughout the business, we can generally think of some way that a drone could be used as a solution."

Q1. How long does it take to get regulatory approval for BVLOS drone operations at critical infrastructure in Australia?
Based on MSS Security's experience, the approval process with CASA for BVLOS operations at sensitive locations like airports can take 12-18 months. However, with their precedent-setting approval at Port Lincoln Airport, future applications may face a streamlined process.
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Q2. What are the main security benefits of using autonomous drones versus traditional security personnel?
Autonomous drones provide continuous aerial monitoring that covers larger areas more efficiently than ground-based personnel, especially at night. They can detect perimeter breaches, wildlife intrusions, and unauthorized personnel while providing real-time video feeds to security teams, allowing for faster and more informed responses.
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Q3. How do autonomous security drones operate during adverse weather conditions?
According to MSS Security's implementation, their drones continued operations through rain, fog, and mist with reliable performance. The FlytBase system ensured drones would always return safely to their docks even during temporary connection losses.
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Q4. What is the ROI timeframe for implementing autonomous drone security systems?
While specific ROI figures weren't disclosed, MSS Security has expanded implementation to multiple sites based on operational success. The cost-effectiveness stems from reduced personnel requirements for perimeter patrols while increasing surveillance coverage and detection capabilities.