Terra Drone Invests In Aloft To Enhance Global UTM Development And Enter US Market

TOKYO -- In a significant move that underscores its commitment to the global drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector, Terra Drone Corporation, a frontrunner in drone technology based in Japan, has announced a strategic investment in Aloft Technologies. This U.S.-based enterprise is at the forefront of developing UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) solutions and is recognized as a leader in drone fleet and airspace management across the United States. With this investment, Terra Drone cements its position as the largest shareholder in Aloft, effectively making Aloft an affiliate of the Terra Drone family. Furthermore, Yuki Ueno, an executive officer at Terra Drone, has been appointed to the board of Aloft, marking a pivotal step in this partnership.

This collaboration not only signifies Terra Drone's official foray into the U.S. market, which is known as the largest globally for drones and AAMs but also positions the company to play a vital role in the worldwide development of the UTM ecosystem. This ecosystem is crucial for managing the safe and efficient use of drones and AAMs in airspace around the globe. Aloft, established in 2015, has garnered investments from notable entities such as Boeing's Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) and Travelers Insurance, one of the top insurance firms in the U.S., highlighting its prominence in the sector.

Aloft has made significant strides in airspace management, powering over 84% of all FAA-certified UAS services airspace authorizations. Notably, last year, Aloft achieved a milestone by surpassing 1 million Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) requests. The LAANC system is pivotal for streamlining airspace management and certification operations for low-altitude unmanned aircraft in the United States. Additionally, Aloft offers a comprehensive cloud-based drone fleet management system that centralizes the operational management of aircraft and pilot information. This system supports complete drone operations by efficiently managing workflows from pre-flight to post-flight, thereby achieving automation and compliance with regulatory standards.

The platform's key features include aircraft and asset management, real-time live video sharing, and two-way voice communication. It has been adopted across major industries for mission-critical drone operations management, including energy, utilities, oil and gas, media, construction, insurance, and public safety. This widespread adoption underscores the platform's versatility and effectiveness in meeting diverse industry needs.

Through this partnership with Aloft and Unifly, a Belgium-based UTM provider that is a subsidiary of Terra Drone, Terra Drone is poised to make significant contributions to the UTM ecosystem globally. This move not only enhances Terra Drone's footprint in the international drone and AAM market but also reinforces its commitment to advancing safe and efficient airspace management solutions worldwide.