Deal adds FAA-approved airspace intelligence to DroneSense platform
Versaterm has announced the acquisition of Aloft, an FAA-approved provider of airspace intelligence and flight authorization services. The move adds a key regulatory layer to Versaterm’s growing drone platform for public safety agencies.
The company shared the news on February 18 from Mesa, Arizona. Versaterm is known for providing technology solutions to law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other public safety organizations.
Aloft is an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier, or USS. The company specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations. It powers the vast majority of Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability authorizations in the United States. LAANC is the system that allows drone operators to receive near real-time approval to fly in controlled airspace.
By acquiring Aloft, Versaterm plans to integrate these capabilities directly into its DroneSense by Versaterm platform.
Building a Unified Drone Platform
Versaterm has expanded its drone strategy over the past year. In July 2025, the company acquired DroneSense, a drone fleet management and situational awareness platform widely used by public safety agencies.
Since October, DroneSense has been integrated into Versaterm’s Computer-Aided Dispatch system. This allows agencies to deploy drone flights much like they dispatch patrol, fire, or EMS units.
The addition of Aloft adds the regulatory and compliance layer that many agencies need. Public safety teams often rely on manual processes to secure FAA authorization and ensure airspace compliance. These steps can slow down response times and create workflow gaps.
Versaterm says that bringing Aloft into DroneSense will help agencies operate with the same speed and clarity as crewed aviation.
“Aloft is a natural complement for DroneSense by Versaterm and will remove blockers our partner agencies face on a day-to-day basis,” said Steve Seoane, CEO of Versaterm. “We are significantly accelerating our drone strategy with this acquisition. Integrating Aloft into our DroneSense platform is the pivotal next step in enabling agencies to transform how they both respond and communicate.”
The integration is designed to allow agencies to manage drone operations, flight authorizations, and regulatory compliance from one platform.
“Our mission is to put the very best innovations in the hands of our customers,” said Matt McDonald, Board Chair at Versaterm. “By integrating Aloft’s world-leading technology into our platform, we are reinforcing our commitment to help our partners to keep their communities safe.”
Aloft’s Background and Industry Role
Aloft has played a central role in the growth of compliant drone operations in the United States. The company was formerly known as Kittyhawk.io. Under that name, it built a reputation for helping commercial and enterprise operators manage airspace access and regulatory requirements.
Over time, the company rebranded as Aloft and focused on powering the airspace layer of modern drone operations. As an FAA-approved USS, Aloft connects operators to the national airspace system through LAANC.
Its services support operations in complex and restricted airspace. That includes public safety missions that require quick coordination with the FAA.
“Aloft was built to power the airspace layer of modern drone operations. Joining Versaterm allows us to bring that airspace intelligence to a broader platform serving public safety, critical infrastructure, enterprise and government operators alike,” said Jon Hegranes, Founder and CEO of Aloft.
Drones as Standard Public Safety Tools
Public safety drone programs have expanded across the United States. Many agencies now operate Drone as First Responder programs and rely on drones for search and rescue, fire response, and tactical operations.
However, regulatory compliance remains a key requirement. Agencies must secure authorization to fly in controlled airspace and maintain awareness of restrictions and temporary flight rules.
By integrating Aloft into DroneSense, Versaterm aims to make regulatory compliance part of standard dispatch workflows. The company says this will help transition drones into a routine part of daily operations.
With fleet management, dispatch integration, and FAA authorization now under one platform, Versaterm positions its system as a unified solution for agencies seeking to scale drone programs while maintaining compliance.
The acquisition reflects a broader industry shift. Public safety agencies increasingly treat drones as core operational assets rather than experimental tools. Integrating airspace intelligence directly into dispatch systems marks another step toward that goal.
Read more:
- Versaterm Acquires DroneSense, Advancing Drone as First Responder Integration
- Unifly, Terra Drone, and Aloft Technologies Forge Alliance for Global Air Traffic Management
- Aloft Offers New APIs, Allowing Deep Linking LAANC Capabilities and More: It’s a Big Deal
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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