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Internet search giant Google has bought US high-altitude drone maker Titan Aerospace for an undisclosed sum. Google said the acquisition was intended to help the firm�s efforts to expand internet access. Titan Aerospace, which is building two types of solar-powered drones that can fly for years, says it expects �initial commercial operations� by 2015. The firm, which has about 20 employees, will continue to be based in Moriarty, New Mexico. �It�s still early days, but atmospheric satellites could help bring internet access to millions of people, and help solve other problems, including disaster relief and environmental damage like deforestation,� Google said in a statement. �It�s why we�re so excited to welcome Titan Aerospace to the Google family.� Google�s purchase follows Facebook�s announcement earlier this year that it had bought UK-based drone maker Ascenta for $20m (�12m). The two firms are competing to be able to use cutting-edge technology, like drones and high-altitude balloons, to deliver internet to more of the world�s population.