Ascent AeroSystems and AgEagle partner to boost agricultural drone capabilities

Ascent AeroSystems and AgEagle, two companies specializing in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), announced a partnership to integrate AgEagle’s RedEdge-P multispectral camera with Ascent’s Spirit coaxial drone platform. The move is intended to strengthen drone capabilities for agricultural monitoring, a sector increasingly reliant on aerial data to optimize crop management.

The integration will mark the first time Ascent’s rugged, all-weather coaxial UAV carries the RedEdge-P sensor, a device designed to capture high-resolution multispectral imagery. This combination seeks to address a growing demand in agriculture for reliable, precise aerial data that can enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

Bill Irby, chief executive of AgEagle, said the partnership was a “natural fit,” noting that the company’s camera technology complements the Spirit platform’s performance. “Working with manufacturers like Ascent enables us to deliver a new dimension of precision and capability to the agriculture sector,” he said.

Peter Fuchs, president of Ascent AeroSystems, highlighted the expanding agricultural drone market and the importance of scalable, durable UAS hardware. “By pairing the rugged, reliable, all-weather design of the Spirit with the precision and efficiency of AgEagle’s RedEdge-P camera, we are paving the way for further innovation and future growth within the agricultural sector,” he said.

Founded in 2014, Massachusetts-based Ascent AeroSystems designs compact, coaxial UAVs for defense, public safety and industrial applications. Its drones feature a cylindrical design that offers enhanced durability and portability compared to traditional multirotors. Ascent operates as a subsidiary of Robinson Helicopter Company following its acquisition in 2024.

AgEagle, established in 2010, provides flight hardware, sensors and software to clients in agriculture, energy, construction and government sectors. The company focuses on aerial data collection and analytics to improve operational outcomes.

The agricultural drone market has seen rapid growth in recent years, driven by advances in sensor technology and increasing adoption of precision farming practices. Integrations such as the Ascent-AgEagle collaboration signal efforts by industry players to meet evolving customer needs for reliable, scalable UAS solutions.