Sensor systems developer FLIR Systems Inc. has completed a strategic investment in DroneSense, makers of a unique software platform that serves the growing needs of public safety organizations in utilizing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The minority investment by FLIR in DroneSense aims to create opportunities for collaboration, along with the sharing of expertise and customer relationships to develop and bring to market advanced UAS operating, management, and reporting systems. FLIR’s advanced thermal imaging payloads for UAS platforms provide first responders with heat imaging, sight through smoke, and night vision. DroneSense’s comprehensive solution will enable first responders of all types to build and scale their UAS programs with full accountability and transparency. Together, the FLIR and DroneSense offerings will enhance situational awareness, act as a force multiplier, and ultimately save more lives as organizations continue to integrate UAS into daily missions. “This alliance with DroneSense will help bring to market a truly mission-critical solution needed by first responders to effectively deploy a complete UAS program across their organizations,” said James Cannon, president and CEO of FLIR. “We believe this platform is scalable geographically, across multiple markets, and across multiple FLIR business units. Though focused today on UASs, we see longer-term opportunity for the solution to be extendable to other forms of sensing devices.” FLIR is a developer of sensors solutions for security and surveillance, environmental and condition monitoring, outdoor recreation, machine vision, navigation, and advanced threat detection.