#United States #Centennial #Vexcel #Aerial Imagery #UltraCam

Vexcel Launches Groundbreaking Aerial Imagery Program at 7.5cm Resolution

In a groundbreaking announcement made on June 2, 2026, Vexcel, a leader in aerial imagery, revealed plans for a revolutionary nationwide aerial imagery program in the United States. This program aims to deliver high-resolution imagery at an unprecedented detail of 7.5cm, significantly improving the data quality available for various industries.

The new collection initiative is set to begin in January 2027 and will effectively double the resolution of Vexcel's existing Wide Area Program, which is currently at 15cm. With the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and geospatial analytics in assessing the physical landscape, this enhanced imagery is timely. Organizations across sectors such as government, insurance, infrastructure, and technology are expected to benefit greatly from this initiative.

Enhanced Capabilities with Advanced Technology

Vexcel's new program will leverage state-of-the-art UltraCam sensors and processing technologies, designed to provide improved pixel clarity across all 48 contiguous states. It promises much more detail than any commercial satellite imagery, which typically operates at a 30cm resolution. Notably, Vexcel’s program will include:

• - Collection of approximately 4.5 to 5 million square kilometers of imagery annually at 7.5cm resolution.
• - Consistent coverage for 90% of the U.S. population, refreshed twice each year, and nearly all at least once a year.
• - A fourfold increase in coverage over other current U.S. aerial imagery programs, providing seamless orthomosaic and multispectral images nationwide.

The extensive datasets generated from this program will align with Vexcel's digital surface models (DSM), creating the most detailed elevation dataset across the contiguous United States ever developed. This capability is essential for further applications in AI and the creation of versatile vector datasets, allowing users to search and analyze data using natural language.

A Legacy of Innovation in Aerial Mapping

Vexcel is no stranger to cutting-edge developments in the aerial mapping space. With a history dating back over two decades, Vexcel has consistently pushed the industry standards. They were instrumental in introducing the world’s first seamless nationwide airborne mapping at a 30cm resolution while they were part of Microsoft back in 2010. Following this, the company launched subsequent upgrades to 20cm in 2018 and 15cm in 2022, reinforcing their status as industry frontrunners.

The move to a 7.5cm resolution signifies a critical step in U.S. aerial imagery capabilities, enhancing the accuracy and detail required for a multitude of applications. Vexcel’s latest UltraCam technology will also prove invaluable during disaster response by rapidly acquiring large amounts of imagery following extreme weather events. This will allow for better response measures in affected regions, exemplified by the ability to cover substantial areas of states like Florida, post-hurricane.

CEO Erik Jorgensen highlighted the significance of these advancements: “We are taking the next step with 7.5cm imagery across the contiguous United States. As AI models and digital systems increasingly depend on accurate representations of the physical world, this program will lay a new foundation for understanding places and infrastructure.”

Looking Ahead

While the U.S. program represents a monumental achievement, it is just the beginning for Vexcel. Plans to expand the 7.5cm resolution mapping to Europe are already underway, where the company holds substantial coverage across various countries at 15cm resolution.

As Vexcel approaches the launch date for its new Wide Area Collection Program, further details regarding collection plans, coverage specifics, and product availability will be shared. For ongoing updates, visit Vexcel Data.

For over 30 years, Vexcel has stood at the forefront of the photogrammetric and remote sensing landscape, operating the world’s largest aerial imagery initiative and providing a vast library of cloud-based geospatial data, reaffirming its place as an industry leader.