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RIGA, LATVIA, June 22, 2026 – 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."