Carlson Software Launches In-House Drone Production in Maysville, Kentucky
MAYSVILLE, Ky. (Mason County Post) — Carlson Software, a longtime Maysville-based leader in surveying, mapping, and civil engineering software, is taking a significant step forward by expanding into the design and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced drone technology.
The move addresses growing demand for high-quality, American-made drone solutions in key industries including surveying, aerial mapping, mining, construction, and defense. By bringing production in-house, the company aims to fill a gap in U.S.-manufactured options while enhancing quality control and innovation.
“A motivation for us as a company is end-to-end quality control of the solutions we provide,” said Bruce Carlson, founder and president of Carlson Software. “While we operate with offices worldwide and have a global footprint, our home is here in Maysville, Kentucky. It is here where we will continue to grow.”
The expansion is expected to create new technical jobs in the Maysville area, including roles in engineering, assembly, quality assurance, and operations. It builds on Carlson Software’s longstanding commitment to its historic hometown, with prior investments in local landmarks such as Limestone Park, the Parc Cafe, and Kenton Stories with Spirit, a local bookstore and bourbon bar.
The announcement was highlighted in a conversation with Max Moran, a Morehead State University graduate in Space Engineering and a community advocate focused on aerospace and local growth.
“What Carlson Software has built here in Maysville over the years is a testament to what local innovation and dedication to community can accomplish,” Moran said. “Hearing firsthand about this company’s history and where it is headed with the drone and UAV work and the investment in our people, it’s exactly the kind of growth our city needs.”
Carlson Software plans to begin mass production of its new UAV and drone lines in the third quarter of 2026. The company already offers related tools for drone data processing and integration in surveying workflows, positioning it well for this vertical expansion.
This development underscores Kentucky’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and aerospace technology, bringing high-tech jobs and innovation to the region while strengthening domestic supply chains for critical drone applications.
Based on reporting by LEX18: here