HAYDEN — Empire Holdings, Inc., on Wednesday announced one of its operating units, Empire Unmanned, LLC, has acquired Advanced Aviation Solutions (ADAVSO) of Star, Idaho.

Empire Holdings is the primary owner of Empire Unmanned, LLC, and also owns 100 percent of Empire Airlines, Inc.

This acquisition combines Empire's nearly 40 years of successful air carrier operations with the strong brand and reputation ADAVSO earned as a commercial UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) operator over the past four years.

"The acquisition of ADAVSO gives Empire Unmanned the capability to provide an even wider range of unmanned aircraft services into a broader service area," said Tim Komberec, president and chief executive officer of Empire Airlines.

Empire Unmanned and ADAVSO are both involved in a wide array of governmental and commercial contracts, including infrastructure inspections, firefighting support, mining support, agriculture analysis, engineering/survey support, university research and development/academics, defense contractor research and development, UAS consultation, environmental and forestry assessment and GIS/remote sensor development.

Empire Unmanned is adding California, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska to its existing service area of Idaho, Washington, Montana, Utah and Oregon.

"I am excited by the opportunities as we enter this new phase with Empire Unmanned," said Steve Edgar, ADAVSO’s president and CEO. "Our combined capacity to attract new customers, expand into new regions and develop new products will increase dramatically. We look forward to a very bright future."