Aero-Graphics Enhances Capabilities with Acquisition of RIEGL‘s Latest VQ-1560 III-S Airborne Laser Scanner
At the 2025 Geo Week RIEGL Booth with the VQ-1560 III-S.
From left to right: Johannes Riegl, Jr. – RIEGL USA President, Susan Licari – RIEGL USA Vice President, Kelly Francis – Aero-Graphics Co-President, Casey Francis – Aero-Graphics Co-President, and Michael Sitar – RIEGL USA Division Manager of Airborne Laser Scanning.
RIEGL USA is excited to announce that Aero-Graphics, a premier provider of geospatial services based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, has recently acquired the state-of-the-art RIEGL VQ-1560 III-S airborne laser scanner. This sensor acquisition marks the beginning of a new collaboration and underscores Aero-Graphics’ commitment to utilizing the most advanced technology available to deliver exceptional mapping solutions.
Aero-Graphics’ decision to invest in the RIEGL VQ-1560 III-S followed extensive discussions with the management and operations teams of both organizations to fully understand Aero-Graphics’ and their clients’ requirements and expectations with respect to data quality and collection efficiency. Key to that decision was also the possibility of future performance upgrades given the brand-new sensor architecture of the VQ-1560 III-S, enabling long-term competitiveness.
“Throughout its 60-year history, Aero-Graphics has always operated on the leading edge of technology… This scanner will provide nearly double the efficiency of our existing sensors, while maintaining the high standard of accuracy our clients have come to expect from our products.” said Kelly Francis, Co-President of Aero-Graphics
“Our success has always come through working with great people.” said Casey Francis, Co-President of Aero-Graphics. “Knowing the level of support we would receive from the RIEGL family made our decision an easy one.”
The RIEGL VQ-1560 III-S is the latest model in RIEGL’s renowned dual-channel laser scanning system series. This advanced sensor maintains the renowned “cross-fire” scan pattern designed to address the point coverage requirements of a variety of airborne mapping applications. This scan pattern provides both a forward and backward scanning capability whilst maintaining a nadir pass through for superior coverage of complex and vertical surfaces. It also provides consistent point distribution and density across the entirety of the swath, making it an excellent sensor solution for a wide range of applications, including urban mapping, forestry, corridor surveys, and more. Now available with a pulse repetition rate of up to 4.4 MHz, the RIEGL VQ-1560 III-S delivers high point density across a large FOV for exceptional productivity
“We are extremely pleased that Aero-Graphics has chosen to expand their airborne laser scanning sensor fleet with the addition of RIEGL’s VQ-1560 III-S wide-area laser scanning system” said Michael Sitar, Division Manager of Airborne Laser Scanning at RIEGL USA. “Aero-Graphic’s growth and leadership within the geospatial industry as a successful, family-owned business has been fantastic and we are proud to now be considered a part of their team. The VQ-1560 III-S is a big leap forward in collection efficiency and application diversity, enabled by its unique crossfire scan geometry. We look forward to supporting the Aero-Graphics team in the years to come.”
This new collaboration between RIEGL USA and Aero-Graphics signifies a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in the geospatial industry. RIEGL is proud to support Aero-Graphic’s mission to provide top-tier geospatial solutions.
About RIEGL:
RIEGL is an international leading provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying.
RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for over 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.
RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.
RIEGL’s Ultimate LiDARTM 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing Innovation in 3D for the LiDAR industry.
From the first inquiry, to purchase and integration of the system, as well as training and support, RIEGL maintains an outstanding history of reliability and support to their customers.
Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria and in the USA; main offices in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, UK, Germany, and Chile; and a worldwide network of representatives.
About Aero-Graphics:
For nearly six decades, we have focused on geospatial solutions that help bring our world into view. Our agile approach and streamlined processes have proven invaluable to government, engineering, and utility sectors alike. By prioritizing investments in cutting-edge technology and cultivating a talented team, we’ve fostered unwavering customer loyalty, streamlined operations, and tailored solutions that are helping to redefine industry standards.
