What Aero Velocity does

Aero Velocity is a privately held U.S. drone services and manufacturing company headquartered in Sharonville, Ohio, operating in the commercial drone sector since 2016 (rebranded under current name after acquiring certain Workhorse Group assets in June 2024). The company operates two interlocking business lines: a Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform delivering end-to-end aerial inspections, mapping, exterior cleaning, and asset-intelligence reports, and a U.S.-based, NDAA-compliant drone design, engineering, and contract-manufacturing capability for OEM partners. Core technology spans LiDAR, photogrammetry, and multispectral sensor stacks integrated with fixed-wing (Quantum Systems Trinity Pro) and multirotor (Acecore ZOE X8) platforms and processed via Pix4D and TerraVision pipelines, with proprietary offerings including CleanSweep exterior drone cleaning and the MDLV mobile launch platform co-developed with AC Future.

The firm generates revenue through service contracts (commercial property inspections, industrial tank inspections via HMT LLC partnership, exterior cleaning via SoftWash Systems alliance, precision agriculture, and forestry work), contracted NDAA-compliant OEM manufacturing and systems integration, and emerging defense/ISR work channeled through the AeroShield Alliance consortium. Customers include federal agencies (USDA, US Forest Service, USDA NRCS for watershed scanning), enterprise accounts (St. John's Resort, Southern Minority Farmers across 15,000 acres), and education partners (Sinclair College). Quote-based pricing applies across commercial and government engagements; the OEM manufacturing line is structured as hardware sales and contract build.

Operationally, Aero Velocity runs on a lean team of 11-50 employees and pursues a dual-channel go-to-market: direct enterprise and federal sales for services, paired with an alliance-and-reseller channel (AeroShield, SoftWash, HMT, AC Future) for geographic and vertical reach. The company was the proposed all-stock merger target of NASDAQ-listed BT Brands in September 2025 (Aero Velocity shareholders were to own ~89% of the combined entity, with $3-5M committed in equity), but BT Brands terminated the agreement on May 1, 2026 after the SEC registration statement was not declared effective by April 30, 2026; Aero Velocity's counsel disputed the termination. The firm remains independently operating with no disclosed revenue.

Name

Aero Velocity

Legal name

Aero Velocity Inc.

Website

https://aerovelocity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aero Velocity is a U.S.-based drone services and NDAA-compliant drone manufacturing company delivering Drones-as-a-Service (inspections, mapping, exterior cleaning, tank inspection) and OEM manufacturing for federal agencies (USDA, US Forest Service, NRCS), commercial enterprises (real estate, agriculture, hospitality), and defense customers via the AeroShield Alliance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Drone Services

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aerial Robotics (Drones & UAV Autonomy) (HDAAAIAG), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO), UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN), Aerial Surveying & Crop Scouting (Imaging, Mapping, Stand Counts) (AFACAIAJ)

Keywords

• Commercial drone services
• Aerial inspection services
• Drone manufacturing
• LiDAR mapping
• NDAA-compliant UAV

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Drone Services (DaaS): End-to-end drone operations delivering inspection, assessment, mapping, and reporting services. Revenue generated through service contracts with government agencies and commercial clients requiring aerial data collection and analysis.
2. Drone Manufacturing: Contract build and assembly for OEMs seeking reliable U.S. manufacturing capacity. Systems integration and validation of airframes, sensors, and software into deployable platforms. NDAA-compliant production for government and enterprise customers.
3. Industrial Inspections: UAV-powered industrial inspections for above-ground storage tanks, infrastructure, and building exteriors. Includes drone-washing solutions for commercial buildings and large-scale structures.
4. Data Products and Analytics: Advanced data products leveraging AI and data science to derive actionable insights from drone-acquired aerial data for precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aero Velocity delivers end-to-end drone-enabled services and NDAA-compliant drone manufacturing for commercial, government, and OEM clients. Its Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform provides aerial inspection, mapping, modeling, and reporting using LiDAR, photogrammetry, and multispectral sensors, complemented by proprietary offerings such as CleanSweep™ exterior drone cleaning, TerraVision digital twin scanning, industrial tank inspection, and the Mobile Drone Launch Vehicle (MDLV) for defense applications.

Product overview

Aero Velocity is a commercial drone operations company offering a comprehensive portfolio of drone-enabled services, data products, and NDAA-compliant UAV manufacturing. The core offering is the Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform providing end-to-end drone operations including exterior inspections, property mapping, and asset intelligence. The product lineup includes proprietary services like CleanSweep™ drone cleaning, Mobile Drone Launch Vehicle (MDLV) for military applications, and industrial tank inspection services. Manufacturing capabilities include U.S.-based NDAA-compliant drone production for OEMs. The AeroShield Alliance sub-brand handles defense and ISR operations. Data products leverage LiDAR, photogrammetry, multispectral, and thermal imaging sensors with AI-driven analytics for precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AeroShield Alliance: A consortium providing ISR operations, advanced technology solutions, and unmanned systems for government and defense applications. Aero Velocity is a proud member of the AeroShield Alliance.
• Drone On

Products and services

• Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) End-to-end drone operations delivering safer, faster, and more actionable asset intelligence including exterior inspections, confined space assessments, and hard-to-access asset inspection without downtime or human risk. For commercial properties, government agencies, and OEM teams.
• Exterior Drone Cleaning (CleanSweep™) Drone-based exterior cleaning service for commercial buildings, roofs, and large-scale structures that eliminates lifts, scaffolding, and work-at-height risk using proprietary cleaning solutions integrated with UAV platforms.
• Property Mapping & Progress Tracking High-resolution aerial mapping and repeatable site captures using LiDAR, photogrammetry, and multispectral sensors to track construction progress and site changes over time. For commercial properties, construction sites, and infrastructure projects.
• Exterior Condition Assessments Visual inspection service for façades, roofs, and exterior assets using advanced aerial imaging to identify wear, damage, insulation failures, water intrusion risk, and abnormal heat signatures.
• NDAA-Compliant Drone Manufacturing U.S.-based drone design, engineering, and contract manufacturing producing FPV, delivery, and other UAV platforms at scale with NDAA-aligned production and supply chain transparency for government and enterprise customers.
• Mobile Drone Launch Vehicle (MDLV) Platform Fully mobile, self-contained drone launch, recovery, and command system designed for U.S. military and public-sector applications, capable of operating in austere and communications-degraded environments.
• Drone & Robotics Industrial Tank Inspections Drone and robotic technology deployment for above-ground storage tank inspections in the U.S., providing safer, faster, and cost-effective inspection services leveraging advanced imaging and digital twin technologies for industrial operators.
• Drone-Washing Solution with SoftWash Systems Integrated drone-washing solution combining Aero Velocity's UAV platforms with SoftWash Systems' low-pressure cleaning technology and biodegradable treatments for exterior building, roof, and large-scale structure cleaning across SoftWash's seven-country, three-territory franchise network.
• OEM Contract Manufacturing & Systems Integration Contract build and assembly of UAV platforms for OEMs seeking reliable U.S. manufacturing capacity, including airframe, payload, and systems integration plus lifecycle support, warranty repair, and custom part manufacturing services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced water use by 20-40% through precision irrigation planning with LiDAR data
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AC FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026Strategic partnership to jointly develop Mobile Drone Launch Vehicle (MDLV) platform for U.S. military and public-sector applications. The partnership combines Aero Velocity's UAS and defense drone expertise with AC Future's advanced mobility engineering capabilities. The MDLV platform will be fully mobile, self-contained drone launch, recovery, and command system for austere environments. Companies intend to pursue U.S. Department of War funding opportunities.
• HMT LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Strategic partnership to deploy drone and robotic technology for above-ground storage tank inspections in the U.S. Collaboration aims to provide safer, faster, and cost-effective inspection services leveraging advanced imaging and digital twin technologies. Aero Velocity becomes preferred provider of drone and robotic data capture for industrial tank inspections.
• SoftWash SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Strategic alliance to launch integrated drone-washing solution for cleaning buildings, roofs, and large-scale structures. Collaboration combines Aero Velocity's UAV platforms with SoftWash Systems' low-pressure cleaning technology and biodegradable treatment solutions. Targets global commercial exterior cleaning market estimated at over $1 billion annually. SoftWash operates across 7 countries and 3 territories with over $39M revenue in 2025.
• AeroShield AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAero Velocity is a founding member of AeroShield Alliance, a consortium delivering AI-enabled UAV, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and workforce solutions. The alliance focuses on integrated air-to-ground defense solutions including the MDLV platform development.
• Sinclair CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership providing internship opportunities for students in UAS programs. Students gain hands-on experience in LiDAR data collection, multispectral imaging, and drone systems operations. Aero Velocity donated two aircraft to Sinclair's Aviation Technology Department and participates in student events.
• NewWaveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NewWave (Business Services company specializing in data management and IT solutions) for Montane Bog conservation project with US Forest Service. NewWave brings data management expertise while Aero Velocity provides drone technology for LiDAR and multispectral imaging.
• NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatershed scanning partnership collecting LiDAR data to support sustainable water resource management. Drones have revolutionized engineering surveys by providing faster, safer, and more accurate data acquisition for dam monitoring and flood prevention.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Skydio: U.S.-based, NDAA-compliant autonomous drone manufacturer serving defense, public sector, and enterprise inspection markets — closely aligned with Aero Velocity's NDAA-compliant manufacturing and government service focus.
• PrecisionHawk: Commercial drone services and aerial analytics provider with deep agriculture, energy, and government exposure — directly comparable to Aero Velocity's LiDAR/multispectral agriculture and federal work.
• Measure (Measure Australia / 333 Group): Enterprise drone services and inspection company serving telecom, energy, and government clients — comparable service model and customer segments to Aero Velocity's DaaS offering.
• American Robotics: Automated drone-in-a-box solutions for industrial and government inspection markets — overlaps with Aero Velocity's autonomous inspection and government/defense focus.
• Red Cat Holdings: U.S. military and defense drone manufacturer (Teal Drones) — directly comparable to Aero Velocity's NDAA-compliant manufacturing and AeroShield/MDLV defense positioning.
• Liberty Drones: Pioneer of commercial drone exterior building cleaning (founded by Aero Velocity's CRO Erik Schultz) — the direct predecessor and closest product-overlap peer for Aero Velocity's CleanSweep™ offering.

Broad incumbents

• DroneDeploy: Larger enterprise drone data platform for mapping, inspection, and analytics across construction, agriculture, and energy — Aero Velocity integrates Pix4D and offers comparable mapping/progress-tracking services.
• Parrot Drones: European drone manufacturer with government/defense and commercial mapping offerings — broader portfolio than Aero Velocity but overlapping in NDAA-relevant government and surveying use cases.

Emerging players

• Quantum Systems: Fixed-wing and VTOL drone OEM whose Trinity Pro UAV is deployed by Aero Velocity for forestry and farmland LiDAR missions — comparable technology base with partial product overlap.
• YellowScan: LiDAR sensor manufacturer whose Mapper+ sensor is integrated into Aero Velocity's aerial scanning workflows — adjacent technology peer with overlapping use cases in agriculture and conservation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AeroVelocityINC
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61565732006847
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aero-velocity
• Instagraminstagram.com/aerovelocityinc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aero Velocity