Founded in 2020, Pittsburgh-area AERAS develops charged-electrostatic drones and related systems for sanitization, high-risk cleaning, public safety, and environmental applications. Its patented technology powers the world’s first charged-electrostatic drone and helped make AERAS the first U.S. company certified by the FAA to sanitize outdoor venues, including the 2021 Kentucky Derby and PPG Paints Arena. The company also applies its drone expertise to search and rescue, precision agriculture, wildfire mitigation, and mapping.
FAA certification for outdoor venue sanitization drones
FAA
Quality certification
American Robotics, IncFounded in 2016 by Carnegie Mellon and Stanford roboticists, American Robotics develops autonomous drones and airspace-security systems for continuous aerial data collection and critical operations. The Sparks, Maryland company’s Optimus platform is a fully automated drone-in-a-box system, while its portfolio also includes counter-UAS and defense platforms. Optimus-1EX became the first non-air-carrier drone designed for autonomous security and data capture to receive FAA Type Certification, and American Robotics says its systems have also secured approval for automated beyond-visual-line-of-sight operation without an on-site human operator.SPARKS GLENCOE, MD
Lighthouse AvionicsBorn from a Hilliard police chief’s effort to bring Drone First Responder operations to Ohio, Lighthouse Avionics builds passive airspace-awareness systems for counter-drone security, remote towers, and beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights. Founded in 2021, the Hilliard company developed its VICTOR platform from early radar and computer-vision work into deployable optical detection systems, including a remote tower operating at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. Its dual-use technology serves public safety and commercial drone operators alongside defense and critical-infrastructure missions.COLUMBUS, OH
DexaFrom its downtown Dayton headquarters, Dexa designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous drones for commercial last-mile delivery. The U.S.-based company pairs its own aircraft with an integrated logistics platform intended to help local businesses match the speed of large e-commerce networks. Dexa is one of only four U.S. companies cited as holding FAA Part 135 certification and a nationwide beyond-visual-line-of-sight waiver, and its aircraft are listed on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s S-1 list.DAYTON, OH
bluefliteFounded in 2018, blueflite develops and manufactures U.S.-made autonomous cargo drones and the logistics systems that operate them. Its patented, all-electric tilt-rotor platforms combine vertical takeoff and landing with high-speed forward flight, allowing deliveries to reach remote or difficult locations while protecting cargo from weather. The company’s Cobalt 461 platform is on the FAA’s Section 44807 Approved UAS list, and its Cobalt 46 has received FCC Conditional Approval under the Covered List framework.