SPH Engineering and Vets to Drones Partner to Equip US Military Veterans with Commercial Drone Expertise

This collaboration bridges the industry skills gap by providing veterans with specialized training in UgCS flight planning software, the industry standard for high-end survey and inspection missions.

SPH Engineering, a global leader in integrated drone solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Vets to Drones, a US nonprofit dedicated to transitioning US military veterans into the commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry.

The most critical opportunities in the commercial drone sector now require more than entry-level skills. Large-scale surveying, LiDAR mapping, and precision infrastructure inspections in mining and energy demand fluency in professional-grade flight planning. Through this partnership, SPH Engineering provides Vets to Drones members with access to UgCS Basics, the exact training used by leading enterprise survey teams.

“A veteran with an FAA certificate knows how to fly safely, but a veteran who masters UgCS possesses the engineering capability to execute complex, high-value missions that most operators cannot,” said Alexey Smirnov, Chief Operating Officer at SPH Engineering. “We are honored to welcome these dedicated individuals into our global professional community. Equipping them with industry-standard flight planning technology and continuous mentorship goes beyond facilitating a transition to civilian life. It helps them build lucrative, long-term careers as elite solution architects in the field.”

Upon completing the UgCS Basics certification, veterans receive a 30% discount on core UgCS licenses to lower the barrier to entry for starting their own drone service businesses. Members will also gain full access to SPH Engineering’s broader educational ecosystem, which includes advanced SPH Academy courses and expert-led webinars.

“Our mission is to ensure our Nation’s Veterans are completely ready to get hired and excel in using this technology,” said Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Vets to Drones. “Integrating SPH Engineering’s technical training into our curriculum means our members are fluent in the exact technologies that top-tier employers demand.”

To learn more about the partnership and the UgCS training pathway, please visit: https://www.sphengineering.com/flight-planning/ugcs

About SPH Engineering

SPH Engineering is a premier solution architect for drone-based surveying, inspection, and mapping, combining flight software, advanced sensors, and data processing and data management into unified engineering ecosystems. Our core technologies include UgCS for complex automated flights and precision LiDAR data collection, along with specialized payloads such as ground-penetrating radar, magnetometers, and echo sounders, and many more. 

We empower professionals across the mining, oil & gas, academy, and construction sectors to collect reliable and scalable data in the most challenging and remote environments by extending drone technology beyond conventional operational limits. 

For more information, visit www.sphengineering.com.

About Vets to Drones 

Vets to Drones (V2D) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting military veterans with careers in the rapidly growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and drone industry. Serving thousands of members nationwide, V2D provides a comprehensive member portal featuring industry training courses, a job board, partner networks, and resources designed to translate military experience into civilian drone careers. Through partnerships with educational institutions, manufacturers, and industry leaders, V2D equips veterans with the certifications, skills, and professional connections needed to succeed in fields ranging from aerial surveying and infrastructure inspection to thermography and advanced air mobility. The organization is committed to honoring the service of veterans by opening doors to meaningful, high-demand careers in one of the most innovative sectors of the modern economy.