InTerra SmarTarget® streamlines high-precision workflows for commercial drone mappers
Accuracy is critical in geospatial work. Drone operators also need systems that save time in the field and in the office. The InTerra SmarTarget® platform aims to deliver both. One commercial drone mapping provider in Nashville, reports major gains after adding the system to its workflow.
Drone615 founder and chief pilot Seth Ford is currently the only commercial drone service provider using the InTerra platform. The company says the technology improves efficiency, reliability, and final data quality in ways not possible with traditional ground control methods.
A New Tool for High-Accuracy Drone Mapping
InTerra developed the SmarTarget® GNSS system to make high-precision ground control easier for drone mappers. The platform combines a next-generation GNSS receiver with automated feature recognition, intelligent monitoring, and PPK-based error correction.
The goal is simple. Survey professionals need consistent, survey-grade accuracy without extra steps in the field.
Ford says the upgrade has transformed his team’s daily work.
“Integrating InTerra into our workflow has been the most impactful equipment upgrade I made in 2025,” said Ford. “Field time and office time have both decreased by about 25 percent, systemic errors have been significantly reduced, and the accuracy of our deliverables has increased across every project. InTerra SmarTargets have fundamentally changed how we gather data and process it afterward.”
The system self-checks every point, flags errors, and verifies quality before accepting measurements. This level of automation matters in drone mapping, where accurate ground control and checkpoints support high-quality surface models, contours, and 3D reconstructions.
Gains for Time-Sensitive and Complex Projects
Drone615 works with customers in land development, construction, utilities, environmental analysis, and the public sector. Many of these projects depend on precise measurements and fast turnaround times.
Ford says clients now benefit from both.
“We work on projects where precision is essential—grading plans, utility easements, infrastructure assessments, floodplain studies, and pre-construction topo mapping. When the GNSS backbone is stronger, the entire workflow becomes safer, faster, and more reliable,” he said. “InTerra’s desktop software makes control point integration a breeze.”
The combination of reduced field work and improved consistency supports more predictable schedules. It also helps Drone615 deliver data that meets the strict standards required by engineers, surveyors, and government agencies. SmarTargets are NDAA compliant and meet US government safety and trust requirements.
Supporting Growth in Tennessee’s Drone and AAM Ecosystem
Tennessee is investing in UAS innovation, advanced air mobility, and new geospatial data programs. Drone615’s use of SmarTargets aligns with that push. The company continues to expand its work with public and private-sector customers across the region.
Ford’s background supports this effort. A former U.S. Marine helicopter and early sUAS pilot, he founded Drone615 to offer enterprise-grade aerial mapping and inspection services. Adding InTerra’s technology strengthens the company’s ability to support infrastructure development, asset management, and engineering work across the state.
“Drone mapping is no longer just about flying a drone and collecting images,” Ford said. “It’s about achieving repeatable, defensible accuracy that professionals can trust. InTerra gives us a competitive edge and ensures our deliverables meet the strict quality standards expected in civil engineering and land development.”
As adoption of advanced GNSS systems grows, more agencies and contractors may shift from traditional surveying to hybrid drone-enabled workflows. The demand for accurate spatial data continues to increase as states expand construction, planning, and modernization initiatives.
About the Companies
Drone615 provides commercial drone mapping, remote sensing, and inspection services across Tennessee. The company supports clients in land development, utilities, construction, environmental analysis, and public-sector infrastructure.
InTerra™ develops surveying and geospatial tools designed to simplify workflows and increase accuracy. Products such as SmarTarget® and Datum support drone mapping teams seeking consistent and efficient high-precision results.
For more information about Drone615’s mapping capabilities or the InTerra SmarTarget® platform, visit www.drone615.net and www.interra5d.com.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
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