Integrated field deployment: FC100 platform with ground power unit, cable reel, and high-pressure water pump.

High-rise glass curtain wall cleaning has long relied on rope-suspended workers - a method that is slow, expensive, and inherently dangerous. When Guizhou Transportation Group needed a safer and more efficient maintenance method, it adopted Kitefly Tethered's dual-tethered drone cleaning system: a complete solution integrating continuous ground power, high-pressure water delivery, and industrial aerial cleaning deployment.

The system completed full operational testing and formal acceptance review, and all core performance indicators exceeded the original specification.

Traditional cleaning drones may carry a spray nozzle, but battery endurance and water pressure at altitude quickly become limiting factors. Kitefly Tethered addresses both issues at the same time through a dual-tether architecture:

• Power tether - continuous 380V ground power feeds the drone and onboard systems without battery-duration limits.
• Water tether - high-pressure water is delivered from the ground pump to the airborne spray lance, maintaining stable pressure at working height.

The result is a system capable of 24+ hours of continuous operation, spray pressure up to 20 MPa, and cleaning efficiency of 800-1,000 m² per hour, while keeping all personnel on the ground.

This deployment integrates four core components from Kitefly Tethered's product line together with the DJI FC100 heavy-lift aerial platform.

The G40Pro converts standard 380V three-phase grid power into regulated high-voltage DC output for the drone and all airborne systems.

The enclosure uses FR4 non-conductive fiberglass composite rather than aluminum alloy and is rated to withstand 15 kV/mm dielectric strength. A motorized reel, anti-static brush, and guide pulley help improve cable handling and reduce contamination risk during field operations.

G40Pro tethered ground power box used in the delivered dual-tether cleaning system.

The DF-FC100 mounts directly in the DJI FC100 battery bay and converts incoming high-voltage DC tether power into the low-voltage DC supply required by the aircraft and payload systems.

The module includes over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, and abnormal power protection, with real-time status monitoring. Thermal management uses six high-speed fans with active forced cooling, while operating noise does not exceed 60 dB(A).

The AF-Q2 is an adjustable-length airborne spray lance designed for industrial drone cleaning. Its telescopic structure allows operators to adjust reach for different facade geometries without repeated landing and reconfiguration.

The B7X supplies sustained high-pressure water from ground level up through the water tether to the AF-Q2 spray lance. Its built-in 80-litre buffer tank helps reduce supply interruption during on-site operation.

B7X ground high-pressure water pump for continuous facade cleaning operations.

This solution is validated on the DJI FC100, an industrial heavy-lift platform designed for demanding tethered operations and long-duration external-load missions.

The FC100 payload margin allows integration of the airborne power module, water delivery lines, spray lance, and mounting hardware while maintaining stable hover during high-pressure wash cycles.

DJI FC100 platform configured for dual-tether cleaning deployment.

All performance criteria were verified during formal acceptance testing. Results exceeded the project specification across every measured indicator.

Unlimited endurance. Grid-connected ground power eliminates battery swapping and return-to-home interruptions. The system can support 24+ hours of continuous operation, making it suitable for full-facade cleaning tasks.

No workers at height. All personnel remain on the ground and operate the system remotely, removing rather than merely reducing fall risk.

Stable pressure at altitude. The ground pump delivers sustained high-pressure water to the airborne spray lance, while the integrated tether arrangement helps maintain continuous cleaning performance.

Access to complex geometry. The telescopic AF-Q2 lance improves reach for recessed joints, curved curtain wall sections, and other hard-to-clean areas.

Cleaner and greener operation. No fuel combustion is required during operation, and the process is compatible with green construction and maintenance requirements.

This system is intended for large-scale facade cleaning and infrastructure maintenance projects where conventional manual methods are unsafe, slow, or operationally impractical.

• Super high-rise office towers and commercial complexes
• Transportation hub terminals and stations
• Large-span glass atrium structures
• Bridge cable cleaning and surface maintenance
• Tunnel interior wall cleaning
• Industrial facility exterior maintenance

Kitefly Tethered develops and manufactures tethered power systems for industrial drone operations. The product portfolio covers ground power stations, airborne power conversion modules, and integrated solutions for cleaning, firefighting, lighting, surveillance,and long-duration aerial deployment.

All tethered systems are designed for professional ground operators, with engineering focus on power stability, cable management, and practical integration with industrial heavy-lift platforms.