Aero Velocity and HMT Announce Strategic Agreement to Scale Drone & Robotics Inspections
MWN-AI** Summary
BT Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTBD) has announced a significant strategic collaboration between Aero Velocity Inc. and HMT LLC to enhance drone and robotic inspections. Aero Velocity, based in Cincinnati, specializes in the design and production of American-made, NDAA-compliant drones and operates a Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) model. In contrast, HMT, located in The Woodlands, Texas, leads the field in aboveground storage tank technology and environmental solutions.
This collaboration positions Aero Velocity as HMT’s preferred provider for drone data acquisition, particularly in internal and external tank inspection and asset integrity programs. The strategic partnership is aimed at addressing the substantial and recurring U.S. inspection services market, estimated to be worth several hundred million dollars annually, driven by regulatory compliance, aging infrastructure, and a need for safer, more efficient inspection methods.
With this agreement, Aero Velocity will utilize its drone technology to collect high-resolution images, datasets, and 3D digital twins to streamline HMT's inspection processes. This collaboration promises lower costs, improved quality, and heightened safety in tank inspections by minimizing the need for human confined space entries.
Both CEOs, Mark Hastings of Aero Velocity and Veronique Trudeau of HMT, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize the tank inspection industry while improving safety and operational efficiency.
The companies plan to jointly market their combined services to industry clients through established channels and will participate in trade expos throughout the year. This partnership aligns with Aero Velocity's broader strategy to expand its recurring inspection services revenue and strengthen its foothold in the energy and infrastructure sectors, making it an important growth driver moving forward.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The strategic collaboration announced between Aero Velocity Inc. and HMT LLC represents a significant opportunity for both companies within the rapidly expanding inspection services market. This partnership, particularly under the Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) model, allows Aero Velocity to leverage its drone and robotics technology alongside HMT's established market presence in tank inspection and environmental solutions.
Investors should take note of the potential for substantial revenue growth stemming from this agreement. The U.S. above-ground storage tank inspection market, valued in the hundreds of millions, is buoyed by regulatory compliance and an urgent need for modernized inspection methods. By combining advanced drone technologies with HMT's comprehensive inspection services, the collaboration aims to drive lower costs, enhanced data quality, and superior safety—parameters increasingly demanded by asset owners.
The scalability of Aero Velocity’s solutions will likely enhance its margin profile, positioning it favorably for future growth. Safety and efficiency advancements, achieved through drone technology, suggest a strong market demand trajectory. Additionally, this partnership not only addresses immediate customer needs but also aligns with long-term industry trends that favor technology-driven solutions in traditional sectors.
For investors considering exposure to this sector, Aero Velocity appears well-poised for growth, especially as it gears up for the expected merger with BT Brands, Inc., enhancing its market strategy and financial stability. As the inspection market continues to evolve, monitoring Aero Velocity's execution of this collaboration will be crucial. Success in this venture could drive both market share expansion and investor returns, making it a company to watch closely in the coming years. In summary, consider positioning for potential gains tied to Aero Velocity and HMT's innovative industrial solutions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
BT Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTBD) today announced a strategic collaboration between its proposed merger partner, Cincinnati, Ohio-based Aero Velocity Inc. (“Aero Velocity”), and privately held HMT LLC (“HMT”). Aero Velocity is a designer and manufacturer of American-made, NDAA-compliant UAVs and an operator of a Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) business. HMT LLC (“HMT”) is a leader in aboveground storage tank technology and environmental solutions for energy storage. The strategic collaboration establishes Aero Velocity as HMT's preferred provider for drone and robotic data acquisition in support of internal and external tank inspection and asset integrity programs.
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Targeting a Large, Regulated, Recurring Market
The collaboration positions both companies to address a large and recurring U.S. inspection services market, driven by regulatory compliance requirements, aging infrastructure, and increasing demand for safer and more efficient inspection methods. Industry estimates suggest the U.S. above-ground storage tank inspection services market represents several hundred million dollars in annual spend, with long-term growth supported by mandatory inspection cycles across the energy, chemical, and industrial sectors.
Scalable, Technology-Enabled Inspection Model
Under the strategic collaboration, Aero Velocity will deploy its drone and robotics suite to capture high-resolution internal and external inspection-grade imagery, targeted robotic/UAV datasets where appropriate and photogrammetry/LiDAR-driven 3D digital twins to support HMT’s inspection operations. HMT will continue to lead inspection engineering, interpretation, reporting and certification, leveraging Aero Velocity’s datasets to enhance consistency and documentation.
The agreement is expected to advance the tank inspection industry by providing the following benefits:
- Lower costs – inspections may be performed faster, resulting in reduced out-of-service time;
- Higher quality – data collection designed to deliver repeatable, inspection-ready digital output; and
- Enhanced safety – use of drones to reduce the need for confined space entry by humans.
“Industrial inspection is entering a new era in which safety and data quality are rising, while costs and business disruptions are falling,” said Mark Hastings, Chief Executive Officer of Aero Velocity. “The U.S. above-ground tank inspection market is large, highly regulated and recurring by nature. We built our industrial solutions business to capture inspection-grade data quickly and repeatably at scale. Combined with HMT’s industry leadership, this collaboration modernizes how tanks and other critical assets are documented—improving safety and lowering costs while giving operators better information to plan maintenance and manage risk.”
“Asset owners are increasingly demanding inspection programs that reduce downtime, while improving data quality and safety,” commented Veronique Trudeau, Chief Executive Officer of HMT. “Working with Aero Velocity strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional results to our customers in the form of high-quality, consistent datasets at scale, while offering safer execution, reduced costs and more efficient inspection planning.”
Aero Velocity’s industrial solutions business combines UAV and robotic data capture with structured, inspection-ready deliverables designed to integrate into existing integrity management programs. Typical deliverables may include:
- High-resolution photo documentation sets with consistent labeling and coverage by asset zones;
- LiDAR/Photogrammetry-based 3D digital twins for navigation, measurement and visual review;
- Tagged points of interest (e.g., corrosion indicators, coating breakdown, deformation, anomalies) to support inspection follow-up;
- Secure data packaging and transfer aligned with client documentation requirements; and
- Repeatable capture templates designed to support trend analysis over time.
Aero Velocity and HMT have already begun working together to provide cost-effective, safe inspections, data capture, and analysis to HMT’s industrial clients in the energy sector. The two companies plan to jointly market their services to existing and new customers through established sales channels and joint participation in industry conferences and trade expos throughout the year.
Strategic Growth Implications
The collaboration aligns with Aero Velocity’s broader industrial growth strategy focused on expanding recurring inspection services revenue, leveraging technology to improve margin profile and scalability, deepening penetration within energy and infrastructure verticals and building long-term strategic relationships with industry leaders.
Mr. Hastings added, “We are excited about the opportunity to team with the clear industry leader in HMT. We expect this collaboration to be a cornerstone of our revenue growth in 2026 and beyond.”
About Aero Velocity
Aero Velocity, based in Cincinnati, OH, designs and manufactures American-made, NDAA-compliant UAVs and operates a robust Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) business. Aero Velocity is also a founding member of AeroShield Alliance, a consortium of small-business leaders in AI and technology, UAVs, ISR and workforce solutions to deliver mission success from air to ground. Aero Velocity offers end-to-end UAV-powered solutions that enable organizations to assess, analyze and respond to real-world conditions with enhanced speed and safety.
Aero Velocity and BT Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTBD) entered into a definitive merger agreement in September 2025 pursuant to which the combined company is expected to be renamed "Aero Velocity Inc." and trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Mr. Hastings will serve as CEO of the combined company. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies. It is expected to close in early 2026, subject to stockholder approvals for each company and other customary closing conditions.
About HMT LLC
HMT, based in The Woodlands, TX, is a longstanding leader in aboveground storage tank technology and environmental solutions for energy storage, supporting operators with products and services that improve safety, compliance, and operational performance. Founded in 1978, HMT provides a broad set of capabilities, including design, construction, maintenance, inspection, and repair services for aboveground storage tanks, along with engineered solutions such as seals and roof systems designed to reduce emissions and optimize tank performance. HMT’s inspection organization supports industry-recognized standards and programs, and the company offers a wide range of specialty and advanced services spanning integrity planning, NDE, turnaround support, and related solutions.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the products and services offered by Aero Velocity and the markets in which it operates, and Aero Velocity’s projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including the risks described in BT Brands’ SEC filings, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Aero Velocity and BT Brands expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise them except as required by law.
Participants in the Solicitation
BT Brands, Inc. (“BT Brands”) and Aero Velocity Inc. (“Aero Velocity”) and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from BT Brands’ stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding BT Brands’ directors and executive officers is available in BT Brands’ filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports. Additional information regarding the participants in the solicitation and their interests in the proposed transaction will be included in the registration statement on Form S-4 (including the proxy statement/prospectus) that BT Brands intends to file with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents, when available, free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval. Any solicitation will be made only through a proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260226667727/en/
Investor Relations & Media Contacts
BT Brands, Inc.
Kenneth Brimmer, Chief Financial Officer
kbrimmer@itsburgertime.com
612-414-5104
Aero Velocity Inc .
Mark Hastings, Chief Executive Officer
contact@aerovelocity.com
513-224-4439
HMT LLC:
Lesley Maxwell, Marketing Manager
Lesley.Maxfield@hmttank.com
281-681-7054
FAQ**
How does the strategic collaboration between Aero Velocity and HMT LLC enhance the market positioning of BT Brands Inc. BTBD within the U.S. above-ground storage tank inspection services sector?
What specific benefits can investors expect from the merger between BT Brands Inc. BTBD and Aero Velocity in terms of revenue growth and operational efficiency?
Given the projected growth of the inspection services market, how does BT Brands Inc. BTBD plan to leverage this collaboration to improve its long-term financial performance?
What measures are in place for BT Brands Inc. BTBD to mitigate risks associated with the forward-looking statements made following the merger with Aero Velocity?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about BT Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: BTBD).
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