What Geodetics does

Geodetics, Inc. is a privately-held technology company founded in California in 1999 that develops advanced sensing and navigation products, with two principal franchises: LiDAR-based mobile mapping systems (Geo-MMS family for UAVs, Geo-ECTO-1 for ground-based mapping, Point&Pixel for combined LiDAR/photogrammetry) and Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing systems (Geo-APNT, Geo-iNAV, Geo-RelNAV, Geo-hNAV, Geo-PCU, HGGR). Core technology combines multi-modal sensors (LiDAR, RGB, multispectral, thermal) with dual-antenna GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems, proprietary Extended Kalman Filter-based sensor fusion, and direct georeferencing that eliminates the need for ground control points. Products are available in commercial and SAASM/M-Code military-grade variants and carry multiple MIL-STD and RTCA DO-160 certifications.

The company sells primarily through a quote-based direct enterprise sales motion to defense contractors, government agencies, and commercial mapping customers, with revenue generated from hardware sales, one-time software licenses, and time-and-materials professional services. All product components are designed, tested, manufactured and maintained in-house, and support is delivered directly from system developers rather than resellers. Following its October 2020 acquisition by AEVEX Aerospace, Geodetics continues to operate under the AEVEX Geodetics brand from Solana Beach/San Diego, California, with additional regional offices in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia, serving customers across the United States and internationally across defense, infrastructure, mining, environmental, and academic use cases.

Name

Geodetics

Legal name

Geodetics, Inc.

Website

https://geodetics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Geodetics develops LiDAR-based mobile mapping systems and Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) solutions for defense and commercial customers. Now operating as AEVEX Geodetics following its 2020 acquisition by AEVEX Aerospace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LiDAR Mobile Mapping and Assured PNT Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Payloads (EO/IR, LiDAR, SAR, SIGINT) & Gimbals (IMABAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules (HDAHALAG), GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC), Remote Sensing & Geospatial Vision (satellite/drone imagery) (HDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• LiDAR mapping systems
• Assured PNT solutions
• Inertial navigation systems
• Mobile mapping technology
• Sensor fusion technology

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - LiDAR Systems: Sale of Geo-MMS LiDAR payloads, Geo-ECTO-1 mobile mapping systems, and integrated sensor solutions for UAV and ground-based mobile mapping applications.
2. Hardware Sales - Navigation Systems: Sale of A-PNT products including Geo-APNT, Geo-iNAV, Geo-RelNAV, Geo-hNAV, Geo-PCU, and HGGR navigation and positioning systems.
3. Software Licensing: Software solutions for data acquisition, processing, and analysis. One-year warranty included; additional support provided at hourly rates or through Time and Material Support contracts.
4. Professional Services: Integration support, configuration assistance, and ongoing customer support services. Up to 2 hours included with purchase; additional support at fixed hourly rates or via T&M contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Geodetics designs and manufactures integrated LiDAR mobile mapping systems (Geo-MMS for UAV/drones and Geo-ECTO-1 for ground vehicles) and Assured Positioning, Navigation & Timing (A-PNT) hardware systems (Geo-APNT, Geo-iNAV, Geo-RelNAV, Geo-hNAV, Geo-PCU, HGGR) for defense and commercial applications. The offerings combine proprietary direct georeferencing, GPS/INS sensor fusion, and dual-antenna interferometry technology developed over more than 20 years.

Product overview

Geodetics (now AEVEX Aerospace) offers two primary product lines: LiDAR Mapping Solutions and Assured Positioning, Navigation & Timing (A-PNT) Systems. The Geo-MMS suite provides customizable UAV and mobile mapping systems comprising three integrated products: Geo-MMS LiDAR for direct geo-referenced point clouds, Geo-Photomap for GCP-free photogrammetry, and Point&Pixel combining both technologies. Ground-based mapping is served by Geo-ECTO-1, a survey-grade mobile LiDAR system available in single/dual configurations. The A-PNT product family includes Geo-APNT (master clock + GPS INS), Geo-iNAV (high-performance rugged INS), Geo-RelNAV (relative navigation for autonomous systems), Geo-hNAV (hybrid dual-GPS INS), Geo-PCU (power conditioning), and HGGR (ACMI replacement). All products leverage proprietary defense-grade algorithms, Kalman filtering, and sensor fusion technology developed over 20+ years, with both commercial and SAASM/M-Code military-grade variants available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Geo-MMS: LiDAR and multi-modal imaging solutions for UAV (drone) and mobile mapping applications
• Geo-APNT
• Geo-iNAV
• Geo-RelNAV
• Geo-hNAV
• Geo-PCU
• HGGR
• Point&Pixel
• Geo-Photomap

Products and services

• Geo-MMS LiDAR Fully integrated LiDAR payloads for UAV and mobile mapping missions, featuring a defense-grade dual-antenna inertial navigation system with tight coupling of LiDAR sensors. Designed for defense and commercial surveying customers requiring accurate point cloud capture.
• Geo-Photomap GCP-free photogrammetry solution utilizing RGB and multispectral sensors integrated with GPS/IMU for direct georeferencing of aerial imagery. Eliminates the need for ground control points in survey workflows.
• Point&Pixel Combined LiDAR and photogrammetry payload enabling simultaneous data acquisition, integrating the capabilities of Geo-MMS LiDAR and Geo-Photomap technologies into a single solution.
• Geo-ECTO-1 Mobile Mapper Survey-grade mobile LiDAR mapping solution available in single and dual-LiDAR configurations for ground-based mapping with customizable vehicle mounting options. Used for road/highway surveying, bridge inspection, and powerline mapping.
• Geo-APNT Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing system combining high-performance GPS master clock with inertial navigation, providing precise navigation data and accurate time reference in a single rugged enclosure. MIL-STD-810G compliant.
• Geo-iNAV High-performance, rugged GPS-aided inertial navigation system tightly coupling RTK-enabled dual-frequency GPS sensor with fiber-optic and ring-laser gyro IMUs (KVH, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman IMUs supported).
• Geo-RelNAV High-accuracy real-time relative navigation system providing navigation information between moving platforms for autonomous vehicles, UAV sense-and-avoid, autonomous aerial refueling, and vehicle-to-vehicle platooning applications.
• Geo-hNAV Rugged hybrid dual-GPS-aided inertial navigation system delivering consistent position and attitude measurement combining GPS interferometry with inertial sensors for stationary and dynamic platforms.
• Geo-PCU Power conditioning unit designed to comply with MIL-STD-704F, MIL-STD-1275D, MIL-STD-461F, and RTCA DO-160G Category B requirements for military vehicle and aircraft power systems.
• HGGR Civilian GPS ACMI Form, Fit, Function replacement for GNP-10, providing high-performance GPS/INS guidance, navigation and control for guided munitions, UAVs, and combat training applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced field survey time through direct georeferencing and GCP-free operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability6 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Volaero DronesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020LiDAR integration and resale agreement with Volaero Drones for expanded distribution of Geo-MMS products.
• Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Mentor-Protege relationship resulting in multiple DoD awards (2007, 2009 Nunn-Perry awards). Geodetics selected as recommended supplier to Lockheed Martin. Partnership for U.S. Army Digital Range Training System development alongside prime contractor.
• Velodyne LiDARcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for real-time mobile mapping systems integrating Velodyne LiDAR sensors with Geo-MMS platforms. Featured in customer testimonials and product configurations.
• KVHcoreTechnology or IntegrationKVH precision sensors chosen for inertial navigation systems. Partnership for IMU components in navigation products.
• General DynamicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in General Dynamics' EDGE Innovation Network for defense technology collaboration.
• NTT DATA CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint market development partnership for Real-Time GPS Network Systems in Japan alongside Geosurf Corporation.
• Harvey-LynchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance to provide applied services to customers demanding precision GPS positioning solutions.
• Thales NavigationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide first fully automated GPS sensor network software for multiple static and dynamic platforms.
• Epson Electronics AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for inertial navigation systems development.
• Teledyne OptechcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership for CL-360 LiDAR sensors (CL-360HD, CL-360XR) in Geo-MMS products.
• Orange County Fire AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on fire programs enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technology for wildfires throughout the United States.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YellowScan: France-based designer of fully-integrated UAV LiDAR mapping payloads with tightly coupled GNSS/INS. Closely comparable to Geodetics' Geo-MMS line on form factor, target customers (surveying and forestry professionals), and go-to-market through turnkey bundles.
• SBG Systems: French manufacturer of high-performance GNSS/INS and inertial navigation systems used in UAV, mapping, and autonomous vehicle applications. Directly comparable to Geodetics' Geo-iNAV and Geo-APNT in functionality, accuracy class, and integration into mobile mapping payloads.
• Oxford Technical Solutions (OxTS): UK-based specialist in GNSS-aided inertial navigation systems and post-processing tools for mobile mapping, automotive testing, and autonomy. Comparable to Geodetics' Geo-iNAV / Geo-hNAV INS products with overlapping survey, automotive, and UAV use cases.
• Phoenix LiDAR Systems: US-based provider of turnkey UAV and backpack LiDAR mapping systems integrating Riegl, Velodyne, and Hesai sensors with GNSS/INS. Closely comparable to Geo-MMS on payload configuration, commercial surveying customer base, and turnkey commercial model.
• LiDARUSA: US-based integrator of UAV, mobile, and backpack LiDAR mapping systems using Riegl, Velodyne, and Phoenix Sensors. Overlaps with Geodetics' Geo-MMS and Geo-ECTO-1 in hardware, customer segments (surveying, mining, forestry), and event-driven sales motion.
• Applanix (Trimble): Division of Trimble specializing in GNSS-aided inertial positioning and direct georeferencing for mobile mapping, airborne, and marine surveys. Directly comparable to Geodetics' core sensor fusion and direct georeferencing IP, with similar end customers in surveying and defense.

Broad incumbents

• Riegl: Austrian manufacturer of high-end airborne, terrestrial, and mobile LiDAR scanners. A primary sensor supplier that Geodetics integrates and a broad incumbent competitor in LiDAR-based mapping with deeper R&D and a global installed base.
• Teledyne FLIR / Teledyne Optech: Division of Teledyne Technologies producing airborne and mobile LiDAR sensors (CL-360 line) and imaging systems integrated into Geodetics products. A broad incumbent with substantially larger scale and defense channel reach.
• Velodyne / Ouster: LiDAR sensor manufacturer (Ouster acquired Velodyne in 2023) whose Puck and other sensors are integrated into Geodetics' Geo-MMS systems. A broad incumbent whose price moves and product discontinuations directly affect Geodetics' bill of materials and roadmap.
• Hexagon / Leica Geosystems: Global geospatial incumbent offering airborne, mobile, and terrestrial LiDAR scanners (Leica ScanStation, Pegasus) plus surveying software. A broad incumbent competing with Geodetics across commercial mapping workflows and increasingly in autonomy/PNT through Hexagon's broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/aevex_aerospace
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCX_WqgC5i-apoDJud1Ke0KA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aevex-aerospace
• Instagraminstagram.com/aevex_aerospace

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Geodetics