Muscat – An emergency rescue mission in the mountains of Dhofar has inspired the development of an Omani-made drone designed to reach remote locations, evacuate stranded people and support search-and-rescue operations in challenging terrain.

The project was led by Omani innovator Ahmed bin Aqeel Abdullah Barham Baamer, who conceived the idea after participating in a rescue operation two years ago that highlighted the difficulties emergency teams face in accessing victims in mountainous areas.

“What I witnessed during that mission made me realise the importance of having tools that can reach difficult locations quickly and safely,” Baamer told Muscat Daily.

Determined to find a solution, Baamer brought together a team of eight Omani specialists in drone engineering, systems design, software development, artificial intelligence, 3D modelling, research and testing. Over two years, the team designed and refined what is believed to be one of the largest locally developed rescue drones in Oman.

Nicknamed the ‘Flying Taxi’ by rescue teams, the drone has been designed for operations in mountains, deep valleys, caves and other hard-to-reach locations where conventional rescue vehicles – and in some cases helicopters – face operational constraints.

According to Baamer, the aircraft can operate in both manual and autonomous modes. In manual mode, it can transport a pilot and one rescued person. In autonomous mode, it can evacuate up to two people using pre-programmed flight paths and rescue procedures.

The drone is also being developed for firefighting operations in difficult terrain, enabling emergency services to access locations beyond the reach of conventional equipment.

The project received support from Omantel and the Governorate of Dhofar. Baamer described the backing of H H Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, as a key factor in advancing the initiative.

“We faced many technical and financial challenges, but the support we received gave us the motivation to continue and turn the idea into reality,” he said.

The team worked closely with the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, conducting extensive field trials to ensure the drone met operational requirements.

Measuring approximately 2.25m wide and 1.5m high, the aircraft has undergone a series of successful tests. One of the most notable took place last week at Tawi Ateer Sinkhole in Dhofar, where the drone was deployed to a depth of 160m for exploration and assessment purposes.

Baamer said the exercise demonstrated the platform’s ability to support rescue operations in environments that may be difficult or dangerous for rescue personnel to access directly.

The project’s success has also led to the establishment of Sky Green Line, a technology company founded by Baamer and his team to develop solutions for emergency response and public safety.

The company is now seeking investment and strategic partnerships to expand production and establish a dedicated drone manufacturing facility in Oman. Baamer said the long-term goal is to deploy rescue drones across all governorates of the sultanate.