Apellix to Demonstrate Autonomous Cleaning Drone Aboard Naval Destroyer in Jacksonville
By Apellix • August 20, 2026

Facility managers are invited to see firsthand how the Apellix Power Wash Drone eliminates fall-risk exposure and rope-access costs on naval and government assets
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Apellix, the Jacksonville, Florida-based manufacturer of autonomous power washing drones, will host a live demonstration for facility managers and building service teams showing how autonomous exterior cleaning removes elevated-work risk from maintenance programs.
The demonstration will show the Apellix Power Wash Drone performing a live cleaning pass on the exterior of a decommissioned Navy destroyer — a surface with the kind of complex geometry, height, and access challenges when cleaning over the water that facility teams face on many commercial buildings — without a technician ever leaving the ground.
Apellix will hold a live demonstration of its Power Wash Drone aboard the USS Orleck Naval Museum, 610 E Bay St, Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The USS Orleck (DD-886), a decommissioned Gearing-class Navy destroyer, offers a fitting backdrop for the demonstration: Apellix's systems are National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant and are flown by the U.S. Army, and the event will showcase the drone's AirShift and AirTrace AI autonomy features on the exterior of a historic naval vessel.
"Apellix drones are powerful tools, but the pilot remains the commander. Apellix Intelligence (AI) is a copilot for cleaning drone operations - reducing the cognitive workload of flying, helping operators stay focused on the mission, and providing the insights needed to measure and document the project's success."
— Shivam Tripathy, Robotics Engineer at Apellix and technical lead in the development of Apellix Intelligence
Event Details
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: USS Orleck Naval Museum, 610 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
About the USS Orleck
Before the USS Orleck became a floating museum in Jacksonville, parts of her radar scope were pulled out and used as props in Tom Hanks' WWII film Greyhound. The destroyer earned four battle stars in Korea, fired more than 11,000 rounds in Vietnam, and later served two decades in the Turkish Navy before returning to U.S. soil in 2000.
On September 24, 2026, a very different kind of technology will fly along the USS Orleck: an autonomous drone, not enemy fire.
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.
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