Reading-based Operational Solutions aiming to fly even higher with international expansion
Rapidly growing Reading-based drone technology firm Operational Solutions Ltd (OSL) is poised to fly even higher as it aims to expand its services across Europe, Asia and Australia.
The company, founded in 2010, is behind innovative systems, which can alert users to threats from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in airspace areas or land, which hosts critical infrastructure.
Its customer portfolio already boasts names such as Heathrow Airport and aerospace and engineering giant Lockheed Martin Corporation.
READ MORE: Reading's Operational Solutions LTD sets sights on international expansion
Investment group BGF provided a boost last year with £8 million of funding and helped the group fast-track its growth ambitions. This has included bringing in new talent, particularly in Research and Development (R&D), engineering, and business development.
The number of staff at the company has doubled to 105 in the last 12 months, while revenue has risen over 50 per cent to £10.1 million for full-year 2023 ending in March.
OSL is also leading the consortium behind the two-year, £13 million HADO project, announced last year, aimed at eventually accelerating the commercial roll out of autonomous unmanned aerial systems in high intensity environments across the UK, such as cities.
Mark Legh-Smith, the CEO of OSL, said: "As demonstrated by our work as part of Project HADO, OSL now has the technical capabilities to rise to even the most complex challenges.
"As we bring new products and capabilities to market, we’re seeing growing interest in our services worldwide.
Legh-Smith added: "As we continue to embark on an exciting period of growth, we remain more committed than ever to technical innovation to help safeguard some of the world’s busiest airspaces. I am extremely proud of how the business has grown since receiving investment from BGF."
Liam Pursall, investor at BGF, said: "A combination of market-leading technology and a highly knowledgeable leadership team will enable OSL to shape the worldwide counter-drone landscape for the long term.
"We are looking forward to working with Mark and his team as the company continues to accelerate growth and strengthen its position in a fast-moving international market."
OSL said new hires have allowed its recent release of its new Drone Alert Service (DAS) which provides an accessible and intuitive hardware-free drone detection solution, which, it says, is already proving popular with entry-level users.
And last year, the company announced its acquisition of artificial intelligence (AI) and video analytics company Rinicom Intelligent Solutions (RIS), which, it says, has helped it "enhance its capabilities for the delivery of world-leading situational intelligence".
