When police need to launch a drone during an emergency, every minute counts. But when that mission involves controlled airspace near an airport, getting the necessary FAA authorization can add another step before the drone takes off. Versaterm wants to make that process simpler.
The public safety technology company has integrated Versaterm Aloft’s FAA airspace authorization capabilities directly into Versaterm DroneSense, allowing public safety agencies to request and receive Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) approvals without switching applications or coordinating manually with the FAA.
The idea is straightforward: bring airspace authorization into the same workflow agencies already use to dispatch and manage their drones. For Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs, that could mean less time spent navigating separate systems and more time getting eyes on an unfolding situation.
FAA clearance, without the extra steps
LAANC provides a streamlined way for drone operators to obtain FAA authorization to fly in controlled airspace at approved altitudes. It’s particularly relevant to public safety agencies operating near airports, where authorization requirements can affect how quickly a drone can launch.
With the new integration, agencies can request authorizations directly within DroneSense. The connected workflow brings computer-aided dispatch (CAD), drone operations and FAA airspace compliance together, with near-real-time authorization processing and automatic compliance reporting.
That could be useful during time-sensitive missions such as search and rescue operations and tactical responses, where dispatchers and pilots need to coordinate quickly.
“Readiness shouldn’t depend on how many systems a pilot can juggle under pressure,” says Versaterm CEO Steve Seoane, explaining that authorization should become part of launching a drone rather than another task pilots must complete beforehand.
Of course, an integrated authorization workflow doesn’t guarantee approval for every flight. Operators must still meet applicable FAA requirements and receive the necessary clearance.
No extra subscription cost
The integration follows Versaterm’s acquisitions of DroneSense in July 2025 and Aloft in February 2026. Through its connection with Aloft, DroneSense is now an FAA-approved LAANC Secondary Data Service Provider.
Versaterm says existing DroneSense customers will receive the new LAANC capabilities as part of their current subscriptions, at no additional cost.
The FAA also welcomes the role of technology partnerships in supporting public safety operations while maintaining airspace safety.
For agencies building out DFR programs, the update addresses a practical challenge: reducing the friction between receiving a call and getting a drone airborne, without treating regulatory compliance as an afterthought.
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