Executive Summary
On September 24, 2026, from 12–2 PM, Apellix will fly its NDAA-compliant Blue Power Wash Drone in a live cleaning demonstration on the USS Orleck, the historic U.S. Navy destroyer docked in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Attendees will watch the world's most widely deployed commercial cleaning drone work at height, over water, with no scaffolding, no lifts, and no workers in harm's way — then get up close and fly the drone themselves.
The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. RSVP here on Luma to reserve your spot.
What You'll See at the Demo
This is a working demonstration. The Apellix Blue Power Wash Drone will fly a live soft washing mission on the Orleck's exterior, showing how a tethered aerial robot cleans a large steel structure from the ground up: continuous fluid delivered through a tether from a ground station, with software-controlled precision handling the drone's positioning and standoff distance against the hull.
Between flights, attendees can examine the Apellix Blue up close — the NDAA-compliant hardware, the tether system, and the controls — and join a Q&A with the Apellix team on applications across maritime, defense, industrial, and commercial property maintenance.
Why the USS Orleck Is the Perfect Backdrop
There's no better venue for this demonstration. The USS Orleck served in three wars and now sits on the water in downtown Jacksonville as a naval museum — which means it faces exactly the same demanding exterior maintenance problem as active ships, ports, offshore structures, and industrial facilities everywhere: large steel surfaces, at height, over water, where putting workers on ropes, lifts, or scaffolding is slow, expensive, and dangerous.
Growing Defense and Government Interest in American-Made Drones
The maritime and defense audience for this event is no accident. Apellix drones are National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant, flown by the U.S. Army, manufactured in the United States by a team that proudly employs disabled veterans — and that combination has been drawing attention in Washington.
In the summer of 2026, Apellix welcomed U.S. Congressmen John Rutherford (FL-5) and Aaron Bean (FL-4) — who together represent the Jacksonville region — for visits with the Apellix team, part of growing congressional interest in American-made, NDAA-compliant drone manufacturing. The September 24 demonstration extends that conversation to the wider community of defense, government, and maritime stakeholders in Northeast Florida.
Who Should Attend
The demonstration is built for anyone who owns, maintains, or contracts work on large structures: contractors, facility and property managers, ship repair and maritime maintenance professionals, and defense and government stakeholders. It's equally worth the trip for anyone who simply wants to see where commercial cleaning drones are headed — because the Apellix Power Wash Drone is already the most widely deployed commercial cleaning drone worldwide, with active operators in 21 countries across 5 continents as of 2026.
How to Register
Attendance is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Request your spot on Luma — it takes under a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Apellix USS Orleck drone demonstration?
The demonstration takes place Wednesday, September 24, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the USS Orleck Naval Museum, 610 E. Bay Street, downtown Jacksonville, Florida.
Is the USS Orleck drone demo free to attend?
Yes, attendance is free — but space is limited and registration is required. Reserve your spot at luma.com/42nbhb5y.
What is the Apellix Blue?
The Apellix Blue is Apellix's NDAA-compliant power wash drone. It receives continuous cleaning fluid through a tether from a ground station, and its software-controlled precision flight lets it clean structures at height — over water, without scaffolding or lifts — while the operator stays safely on the ground.
What will happen at the demonstration?
Attendees will watch a live power washing flight on the USS Orleck's exterior, see the Apellix Blue hardware and tether system up close, and join a Q&A with the Apellix team about maritime, defense, industrial, and commercial property maintenance applications.
Who is the event for?
Contractors, facility and property managers, ship repair and maritime maintenance professionals, defense and government stakeholders, and anyone curious about the future of cleaning drones.
Why is Apellix demonstrating on a Navy destroyer?
The USS Orleck, a destroyer that served in three wars, faces the same exterior maintenance challenges as working ships, ports, and industrial facilities: large steel surfaces at height, over water. Cleaning it live shows exactly how Apellix drones replace scaffolding, lifts, and rope access on real maritime structures.
About Apellix
Apellix’ Power Wash Drone is the most widely deployed commercial cleaning drone worldwide, with active operators in 21 countries and 5 continents as of 2026. Founded in 2014, Apellix designs and manufactures autonomous drones for power washing, spray painting, inspection, and building maintenance. Apellix has National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant systems, employs disabled veterans, and is flown by the U.S. Army.
See it fly for yourself on September 24. Reserve your free spot on Luma →