URSA
URSA builds vendor-agnostic airspace analytics and counter-UAS forensics software for the FAA, USAF, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement, plus a DARPA-funded firmware security framework for IT ecosystems and agribusiness.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersExeter, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What URSA does
URSA, Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated software company founded by David Kovar in 2015 (originally as Kovar & Associates, rebranded to Unmanned & Robotics Systems Analysis) and headquartered in Exeter, New Hampshire. The company builds two principal product lines. The Airspace Awareness Platform (AAP), including its Near Mid-Air Collision (AAP-NMAC) module, normalizes and fuses telemetry from UAVs, manned aircraft (ADS-B via OpenSky), maritime AIS (via Spire Global), and counter-UAS detection systems (via AirGuard) into a vendor-agnostic cloud platform that supports FAA and USAF research, court-admissible incident analytics, and CUAS test and evaluation. The Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework, originally DARPA-funded, automatically identifies and eliminates malicious and vulnerable firmware across IT ecosystems in defense, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial control, and — more recently — agribusiness deployments.
URSA generates revenue through a mix of government contracts (notably AFWERX SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards), subscription/enterprise platform access for AAP, professional services for airspace analysis and CUAS test and evaluation, and technology licensing (e.g., Wolfhound embedded into Kirkwall's agribusiness platform and URSA technology powering MSAB's XRY Drone). Customers and partners include the U.S. Air Force, the FAA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, DRONERESPONDERS, MSAB, OpenSky Network, Spire Global, AirGuard, and Kirkwall. The company operates with a small leadership team (four named executives) and has historically relied on non-dilutive SBIR funding, accelerator participation (Techstars/AFWERX '18), and undisclosed seed capital rather than institutional venture rounds.
URSA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- URSA
- Legal name
- URSA, Inc.
- Website
- https://ursainc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- URSA builds vendor-agnostic airspace analytics and counter-UAS forensics software for the FAA, USAF, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement, plus a DARPA-funded firmware security framework for IT ecosystems and agribusiness.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
URSA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- UAS / Counter-UAS Analytics Software
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Investigation and Security Services (5616)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- IT Risk Management (ITRM) (HDADAIAD)
Keywords
Where URSA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Exeter
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
URSA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) contracts with Department of Defense and AFWERX for development of UAV forensics and counter-UAS capabilities. Includes $1.875M Phase II contract with USAF.
- Platform SaaS/Subscriptions: Self-service platform access for airspace awareness and UAV analytics with subscription model implied by platform availability.
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework for integration into partner platforms (e.g., Kirkwall's agribusiness cybersecurity systems).
- Professional Services: URSA consulting engagements for airspace analysis, UAV forensics investigations, and counter-UAS test and evaluation support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise/Government Platform Access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
URSA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
URSA develops and sells two primary software product lines. The Airspace Awareness Platform (AAP), including the AAP-NMAC module, ingests UAV and manned aircraft telemetry from multiple vendor-agnostic sources, normalizes the data, and produces analytics on UAV activity, traffic patterns, near mid-air collisions, and regulatory compliance for regulators, investigators, and aircraft operators. The Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework is a DARPA-funded solution that automatically detects and removes malicious and vulnerable firmware across IT ecosystems in defense, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial control, and agricultural technology environments.
Product overview
URSA is a software company offering two primary solution lines: the Airspace Awareness Platform (AAP) and the Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework. The Airspace Awareness Platform, including its NMAC module, provides analytics for monitoring UAV activity, traffic patterns, and safety risks in airspace—initially developed for FAA research and now serving regulators, investigators, and aircraft operators. The Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework, originally DARPA-funded, automatically detects and eliminates malicious firmware across IT ecosystems. URSA also offers specialized tools for CUAS test and evaluation including URSA TEST (telemetry capture) and a telemetry analysis platform with open API access for visualization.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Airspace Awareness Platform (AAP) Self-service software platform that monitors UAV activity by ingesting, normalizing, and visualizing telemetry from multiple vendor-agnostic counter-UAS and air traffic data sources. Built for regulators, investigators, journalists, and manned aircraft operators needing empirical UAV behavior insights.
- Airspace Awareness Platform + NMAC (AAP-NMAC) Near Mid-Air Collision analytics module that fuses UAV track data with manned aircraft track data to identify and categorize close approaches and near midair collisions. Produces court-admissible NMAC data sets and visual analytics for regulators and investigators.
- Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework DARPA-funded firmware security software that automatically finds and kills all malicious and vulnerable firmware capabilities across every device in an IT ecosystem. Designed for defense, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial control systems, and agribusiness environments.
- URSA TEST Proprietary telemetry capture and recording package for CUAS testing that collects comprehensive, secure data for measuring and assessing each facet of CUAS system testing effectiveness.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% Security - Eradicate all illicit and vulnerable code within IT ecosystem
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use URSA
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
URSA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
URSA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- KirkwallcoreURSA and Kirkwall partnered in October 2023 to secure critical technology for the agricultural industry. The partners integrate URSA's DARPA-funded Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework with Kirkwall's agribusiness cybersecurity systems to address growing cybersecurity concerns in agriculture. The combined development effort secures critical sensors, autonomous vehicles, and infrastructure required for uninterrupted worldwide food cultivation, production, and distribution. Kirkwall develops hardware and software ensuring modern cybersecurity protections in autonomous systems for agribusiness, including automatic crop sprayers, drones, and robotic harvesters.
- DRONERESPONDERScoreCharles Werner, Chair of the National Council on Public Safety UAS and Director at DRONERESPONDERS, joined URSA's Board of Advisors in February 2022. DRONERESPONDERS is a non-profit program created to unite aerial first responders, emergency managers, and search and rescue specialists. Werner acts in an advisory role regarding the development of UAS analytics and public safety. URSA will work with DRONERESPONDERS on numerous public safety initiatives.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversitycoreURSA is working with Associate Professor Ryan Wallace of Embry-Riddle to provide platform-agnostic, cloud-based storage, and analysis of large UAV-related datasets and telemetry for the ASSURE A50 project. The project aims to establish a framework for collecting empirical data required to conduct sUAS traffic analysis in low-altitude airspace, supporting efforts to accurately forecast sUAS growth and plan further airspace integration.
- OpenSky NetworksupportingData provider for the Airspace Awareness Platform. OpenSky Network is a non-profit association based in Switzerland that provides open access to real-world air traffic control data. The network consists of sensors connected by volunteers, industrial supporters, and academic/governmental organizations to improve security, reliability and efficiency of airspace usage.
- Spire GlobalsupportingData provider for the Airspace Awareness Platform. Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) is a leading global provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services offering unique datasets about Earth from Space. Spire uses one of the world's largest multi-purpose satellite constellations to source hard-to-acquire data for the maritime, aviation, and weather industries, providing AIS commercial shipping data.
- AirGuardsupportingData provider for UAV/drone detection. AirGuard is a leading airspace security software for drone detection providing real-time airspace security against rogue drones. The layered open platform software integrates with electronic drone-detection technologies including RF sensors, directional finding sensors, and third-party specialty drone radars and cameras.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
URSA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DroneShield: DroneShield provides multi-sensor CUAS detection and reporting. Both companies sell into defense, critical infrastructure, and law enforcement with adjacent C2/analytics offerings, competing for the same government RFPs.
- D-Fend Solutions: D-Fend Solutions provides counter-drone takeover and detection technology for airports, prisons, and law enforcement. Competes with URSA's analytics platform for airspace security and incident investigation use cases.
- Fortem Technologies: Fortem Technologies offers airspace awareness and CUAS solutions including drone detection and interdiction. Comparable to URSA in targeting critical infrastructure and defense customers for airspace situational awareness.
- Dedrone: Dedrone is a leading counter-UAS detection and airspace security vendor. URSA's AAP is complementary on the analytics side, but Dedrone's growth into integrated analytics brings it into direct competition with URSA for CUAS intelligence customers.
- Eclypsium: Eclypsium is the leading firmware and device security platform for enterprises. It is the closest direct competitor to URSA's Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework across IT/OT ecosystems.
Emerging players
- MSAB: MSAB is URSA's existing partner (XRY Drone, powered by URSA) in mobile and drone forensics. As MSAB expands its forensic platform into UAS, it is both a channel and a potential competitor for UAV forensics workloads.
- Altitude Angel: Altitude Angel provides UTM and airspace management services for drone integration into national airspace. Adjacent competitor in airspace awareness data services for regulators and operators.
- ANRA Technologies: ANRA Technologies offers UTM and UAS traffic management platforms serving both FAA and international regulators. Overlaps with URSA's airspace analytics for sUAS traffic forecasting.
- SkySafe: SkySafe provides drone detection and airspace security services, with both standalone and integration offerings. Comparable to URSA's analytics-first positioning for law enforcement and critical infrastructure buyers.
Broad incumbents
- Anduril Industries: Anduril's Lattice platform integrates CUAS detection, tracking, and analytics for DoD and DHS. A well-capitalized incumbent whose vertically integrated stack threatens URSA's analytics-only positioning in defense deals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
URSA social profiles
Digital presenceURSA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
URSA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
URSA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
URSA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about URSA
What does URSA do?
URSA develops and sells two primary software product lines. The Airspace Awareness Platform (AAP), including the AAP-NMAC module, ingests UAV and manned aircraft telemetry from multiple vendor-agnostic sources, normalizes the data, and produces analytics on UAV activity, traffic patterns, near mid-air collisions, and regulatory compliance for regulators, investigators, and aircraft operators. The Wolfhound Firmware Security Framework is a DARPA-funded solution that automatically detects and removes malicious and vulnerable firmware across IT ecosystems in defense, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial control, and agricultural technology environments.
Is URSA a public or private company?
URSA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was URSA founded?
URSA was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is URSA based?
URSA is headquartered in Exeter, United States, in the North America region.
How does URSA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are platform SaaS/Subscriptions, technology Licensing and professional Services.
Who are URSA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DroneShield, D-Fend Solutions, Fortem Technologies, Dedrone and Eclypsium. Emerging players are MSAB, Altitude Angel, ANRA Technologies and SkySafe. Anduril Industries is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does URSA have an API?
Yes. URSA's telemetry analysis platform uses an open API which allows investigators to choose their own visualization and analysis tools including MATLAB, Python, R, etc. The API enables data integration for CUAS test & evaluation and forensics purposes.
What industry is URSA in?
URSA's product category is UAS / Counter-UAS Analytics Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAO, UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid), with a secondary code of HDADAIAD, IT Risk Management (ITRM). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7371.