Airbus launches commercial drone imagery start-up in US

Airbus, the largest European aircraft manufacturer, on Thursday unveiled its US-based commercial drone services start-up, according to an official statement.

Airbus announced that its new Airbus Aerial start-up will be based in Atlanta, Georgia, and will initially focus its business activity in developing new imaging services, Efe news reported.

Airbus Aerial will resort to "state of the art" software and aerospace technology, the company said in the statement.

Its goal is to offer "actionable data and analysis of information" provided by drones, satellites, high altitude aircraft and other sources.

With operational bases both in the US and in Europe, Airbus Aerial is aimed to diverse business sectors such as insurance, agricultural, oil and gas industries as well as utilities and local, state and federal authorities.

Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said that, by using an "integrated combination of assets", from drones to satellite imagery, Airbus Aerial is set to offer a wide range of new imaging services.

Hoke said he was convinced that, through Airbus Aerial, "we are uniquely positioned and fully committed to advancing the commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems industry."

The CEO of Airbus Defence and Space added that "in the future, additional Airbus Aerial activities will be in the area of cargo drone services" and to provide "connectivity via aerial assets".

--IANS

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