FLIR Systems (Nasdaq: FLIR) has purchased Gainesville, Florida-based drone manufacturer Altavian for an undisclosed sum to build on both companies’ efforts to integrate sensor technologies into small unmanned aerial systems.
FLIR said Wednesday its defense technologies segment will absorb the sUAS maker’s operations as part of the acquisition.
Altavian offers fixed-wing and quadcopter UAS built to handle short- and long-range missions. The company has experience integrating sensor systems such as FLIR’s proprietary thermal technology to support sUAS intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance functionalities.
Roger Wells, general manager of the FLIR defense technologies segment's unmanned systems and integrated solutions division, said the acquisition will expand FLIR's existing drone lineup, which includes the SkyRaider and Black Hornet platforms, while helping grow its footprint in the public safety, defense and industrial markets.
The Department of Defense previously certified Altavian for the Group 1 category for UAS weighing less than 20 pounds. The company has also been authorized as an sUAS provider for federal and military agencies as part of the DoD’s Blue sUAS initiative.
