Drones

Kittyhawk Does not Change Title Mission: Aloft

Airspace awareness and UTM platform provider Kittyhawk changes name to Aloft Technologies, Inc.

Kittyhawk launched in 2014 to enable the burgeoning drone market: it seemed appropriate to the founders to pay homage to the origins of manned aviation when they embarked on a project that would tackle the next frontier of flight. Now the company has grown and developed further: “The market leader for drone airspace systems and UTM technologies has been renamed Aloft Technologies, Inc.,” said a press release from the company. “Aloft represents the company’s core mission of enabling and enabling safe and compliant drone flights through a powerful combination of UTM enterprise applications, security and compliance solutions, and AI.”

Kittyhawk partnered with the FAA in 2019, redesigning the B4UFly app in a public-private partnership that benefited the drone community. But when Kittyhawk changes its name, the company emphasizes that the core of its business is its UTM platform, including remote ID technology: and its commercial drone management platform, which was launched last year.

Today, Aloft is the largest UTM network of airspace users and stakeholders and controls more than 50% of all LAANC airspace permits. While the company was founded in 2015, 2018 marked a significant new expansion by building our now patented Dynamic Airspace platform with patented XID system for remote identification technologies. These early UTM capabilities enable the full spectrum of drone users to fly today, while also setting the stage for the second century of aviation that includes the delivery of drones, air taxis, and more.

… Aloft’s corporate platform Air Control, which was introduced in the 4th quarter of 2020, is now the most important customer platform that enables higher flight frequencies and higher compliance rates as well as additional security and compliance functions. In the past 60 days, Aloft corporate customers have flown 20,000 flights in industries such as oil and gas, insurance, utilities, and public safety.

In a blog post, co-founder and CEO Jon Heagranes writes:

Security, protection and compliance were the foundation of the technologies we have developed over the past six years, resulting in the most widespread network for drone operations and airspace management today. Today, Aloft’s patented airspace system accounts for over 50% of all airspace permits over LAANC in the US, and we are building on these early UTM capabilities with a single focus to enable the next generation of flight. Advanced flight and BVLOS operations to drone deliveries and air taxis require a new level of airspace infrastructure and the Aloft team, investors and partners couldn’t be more excited to continue our mission with you.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional marketplace for drone services, and a passionate observer of the emerging drone industry and regulatory environment for drones. Author of over 3,000 articles focusing on the commercial drone space, Miriam is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam graduated from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies.
For advice or writing in the drone industry, email Miriam.

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