Many companies utilize XPONENTIAL to make major announcements or highlight how they’re newly working across the drone industry. Ascent AeroSystems did both at XPONENTIAL 2025, announcing two significant updates that are set to impact the present and future of the entire industry.

First, Ascent announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to integrate the AgEagle RedEdge-P multispectral camera with their Spirit coaxial UAV. By pairing Ascent's Spirit drone with AgEagle's proprietary sensor, the companies are delivering a much more complete solution for data collection and analysis in farming. This will enable more efficient resource management, earlier detection of crop issues, and ultimately, increased yields and sustainability for agricultural operations worldwide.

The other announcement from Ascent centered on another MOU the company signed with Gremsy to explore sensor integration and development opportunities that leverage the complementary capabilities of both companies. It’s a collaboration that will focus on exploring integration opportunities between Ascent’s MOSA-ready SPIRIT and NX30 platforms and Gremsy’s payload and gimbal solutions.

These developments are important to note for a few reasons. First and foremost, they highlight a commitment to the ease of use that drone operators critically need. In an industry where technology can meaningfully change from one version to the next, complexity can be a major barrier to widespread adoption and efficient operation. By prioritizing user-friendliness, Ascent is addressing a fundamental pain point that can change considerations around adoption.

The implications of these advancements are also set to go beyond their current applications. Ascent’s work with AgEagle can extend beyond the agriculture sector, as their commitment to payload flexibility will lay the groundwork for similar high-precision integrations across other industrial applications. Similarly, Gremsy’s payload and gimbal solutions can be utilized in various sectors, as their technology isn't confined to a single use case. Their systems are used to do everything from support stable long-range monitoring to ensure the accuracy of collected topographical data.

Beyond specific applications, these partnerships also highlight a significant and growing trend within the drone industry. We're seeing companies increasingly willing to strategically join forces and collaborate, even as they remain competitors in the broader market. All of it stems from a focus on user experience, which will ultimately benefit individuals and the broader industry.

"These announcements underscore our commitment to an expansion of capabilities for operators," Amy Romano, Vice President at Ascent Aerosystems told Commercial UAV News. “We wanted to better demonstrate how our technology can be put to use, and working with companies like AgEagle and Gremsy can get us there quicker. It highlights how we’re not just delivering drones, but comprehensive, ready-to-deploy solutions.”