FLIR Systems Inc. has completed a strategic investment in DroneSense, a company that makes a unique software platform that serves the growing needs of public safety organizations in using UAS to better perform their missions.

FLIR’s minority investment in DroneSense is expected to create opportunities for the companies to work together and share their respective expertise and customer relationships to “develop and bring to market advanced UAS operating, management, and reporting systems.”

“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,” says James Cannon, President and CEO of FLIR.

“We believe this platform is scalable geographically, across multiple markets, and across multiple FLIR Business Units.”

Thanks to FLIR’s advanced thermal imaging payloads for UAS platforms, first responders are provided a new sense of awareness by imaging heat, seeing through smoke, and seeing at night.

DroneSense’s comprehensive technology will allow all types of first responders to build and scale their UAS programs with “full accountability and transparency.”

The companies say that together, their offerings will “enhance situational awareness, act as a force multiplier, and ultimately save more lives as organizations continue to integrate UAS into daily missions.”