Indra Group has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Altitude Angel’s GuardianUTM, a modular unmanned traffic management (UTM) platform. This strategic acquisition is designed to cement Indra’s position as a global frontrunner in the rapidly expanding UTM market while significantly deepening its footprint in the strategic United Kingdom sector.
The acquisition centers on GuardianUTM’s cloud-based platform, which provides essential services for drone operations, including digital flight planning, regulatory approval, and real-time conflict resolution. This technology will be integrated into Indra’s existing portfolio, enhancing its offerings for the safe management of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). A key addition is the “Drone Assist” mobile application, which serves pilots and operators, alongside new modules that enable the monetization of airspace usage.
This move allows Indra to pioneer a comprehensive, per-flight service business model. Airports, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and private landowners will be able to utilize Indra’s platform to administer and charge for access to their controlled airspace based on flight duration and volume. This end-to-end approach creates a new revenue stream within the drone economy.
“The acquisition of GuardianUTM prepares us for the next phase of growth in unmanned traffic management, a segment with immense potential,” stated Víctor Martínez, Managing Director of ATM at Indra. “It also reinforces our commitment to the UK, a pivotal market for our air traffic business.”
The UK has been a focal point for Indra’s expansion strategy, with previous acquisitions including ParkAir, MicroNav, and Global ATS. GuardianUTM brings a substantial established customer base to Indra, encompassing clients across Europe and Asia, 64 airports, and more than 350,000 direct users.
The UTM market is projected to experience accelerated growth through 2028 and beyond, fueled by rising demand for drone applications in logistics, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, and other commercial services. As airspace becomes more congested, robust UTM systems like GuardianUTM are critical for safely integrating drones by identifying, tracking, and coordinating their flights alongside traditional aviation.
By integrating GuardianUTM, Indra not only broadens its technological capabilities but also positions itself at the forefront of shaping the future regulatory and commercial landscape for global drone traffic management.
