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Versaterm's Strategic Acquisition of Aloft

On February 18, 2026, Versaterm, a prominent provider of technology solutions for public safety, made headlines with its announcement of acquiring Aloft, a leader in airspace intelligence and flight safety solutions. This merger marks a significant leap forward in enhancing the safety and efficiency of drone operations in public safety agencies.

The Role of Aloft in Drone Operations

Aloft is recognized as an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS), specializing in providing real-time insights into airspace conditions and streamlining flight authorizations. It handles the majority of Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) requests in the U.S., thereby playing a crucial role in enabling compliant drone operations in complex airspaces.

By integrating Aloft’s capabilities into the DroneSense platform developed by Versaterm, agencies will gain the ability to manage all aspects of drone operations—from authorization to compliance—within a single, cohesive system. This integration is expected to transition drones from supplemental tools to essential components of everyday operations for public safety entities.

A Vision for Transformative Change

Steve Seoane, CEO of Versaterm, expressed his thoughts on the acquisition, stating, "Aloft is a natural complement for DroneSense by Versaterm and will remove blockers our partner agencies face on a day-to-day basis." His comments highlight the intention of the merger: to simplify operations and enhance responsiveness for agencies using drones in their critical missions.

Public safety operations often suffer from fragmented workflows that require tedious manual processes to attain FAA authorization, along with ensuring compliance with stringent regulations. The combination of Aloft’s sophisticated technology with DroneSense is poised to streamline these processes significantly, empowering agencies to respond with increased speed and confidence.

Jon Hegranes, Founder and CEO of Aloft, echoed the shared vision of both companies: "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."

Enhancing Public Safety Infrastructure

In July 2025, Versaterm acquired DroneSense, recognized for its expertise in drone fleet management and enhance situational awareness for public safety missions. This acquisition was designed to augment the existing Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, facilitating the deployment of drone flights alongside traditional emergency services. The addition of Aloft's technology into this solution creates a complete package that encompasses operational, regulatory, and compliance needs.

Matt McDonald, Board Chair at Versaterm, commented on the strategic importance of this integration, asserting that their mission is to deliver cutting-edge innovations to their partners. He stated, "By integrating Aloft's world-leading technology into our platform, we are reinforcing our commitment to help our partners keep their communities safe."

As public safety agencies increasingly incorporate drone technology into their operations, the urgency to maintain both safety and compliance grows. Aloft’s integration promises to establish drones as integral instruments in daily public safety operations rather than optional tools. This shift could ultimately lead to improved outcomes and more effective responses to crises.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Aloft by Versaterm enhances the capabilities of public safety agencies, allowing them to harness drones more effectively. By streamlining processes and fostering seamless integration, this strategic partnership is set to redefine operational standards in public safety, ensuring that agencies are better equipped to protect their communities. As drones become an essential facet of emergency response, innovations such as these will be invaluable in saving lives and enhancing public safety infrastructure.