Aero Systems West company

Ready-to-fly, NDAA-compliant heavy-lift drones with integrated parachute systems, ensuring safe operation and compliant mission readiness.

Aero Systems West overview

Aero Systems West (ASW) is a U.S. company specializing in the engineering and manufacturing of industrial-grade unmanned aerial vehicles. Headquartered and fully built in California, ASW combines American manufacturing, hands-on flight experience, and deep engineering expertise to deliver UAV systems trusted across commercial, governmental, and defense sectors. What sets ASW apart is not only its decade of field-driven innovation, but also its commitment to safety, modularity, and open-architecture design—principles that guide every platform we build.

Since its founding in 2015, the company has grown from a focused engineering startup into an established UAV manufacturer backed by global safety leader Nippon Kayaku. This foundation has strengthened ASW’s culture of precision, accountability, and continuous improvement—values we refer to as the Kayaku Spirit.

Who We Are

ASW is built by specialists who understand drones from the inside out. Our team includes engineers, flight-test operators, integrators, and system architects who have spent years working directly with the hardware, software, and field requirements that shape real-world UAV operations. This experience allows us to create systems that do more than fly—they fit seamlessly into mission workflows, deliver data safely, and scale into long-term programs.

We design, test, manufacture, and support all ASW aircraft in California. This full-stack, U.S.-based approach allows us to maintain total control over quality, iterate rapidly, and meet demanding standards such as NDAA compliance. It also allows our customers to collaborate directly with the engineers who design and maintain their systems.

Mission and Vision

Our Mission

To advance unmanned systems through reliable, mission-ready UAV platforms that solve real operational challenges. We achieve this through engineering excellence, modular architecture, and long-term field support that keeps operators confident and mission-focused.

Our Vision

To become the industry benchmark for adaptable UAV systems—platforms that evolve alongside the future of flight, remain interoperable with open-architecture tools, and support operators worldwide with dependable performance.

These goals are reflected in every development decision we make: flexibility over rigidity, transparency over lock-in, and safety over shortcuts.

Built by Experts. Backed by Safety.

Safety is not an accessory at ASW—it is the core engineering principle behind every platform.
Supported by the global standards expertise of Nippon Kayaku, ASW plays an active role in shaping the regulatory and technical landscape of UAV operations. We contribute to ASTM standards development and collaborate with organizations like CubePilot and the open-source community to define best practices for safe, transparent, and scalable unmanned flight.

This alignment with both industry leaders and open-architecture visionaries ensures that ASW platforms remain interoperable, adaptable, and ready for evolving mission needs.

A History of Engineering with Purpose

Although the company began in 2015, ASW’s identity has always centered on real-world performance. From early R&D efforts to current multi-industry deployments, our approach has remained consistent: build aircraft that perform reliably under pressure, integrate cleanly into complex workflows, and support critical operations where failure is not an option.

Rather than focusing on experimental concepts or market-driven trends, ASW’s engineering philosophy is grounded in hands-on use. The team has spent years flying, testing, and refining systems for civil, defense, industrial, and research applications. Every improvement is informed by direct field experience, customer feedback, and rigorous safety testing.

This practical foundation is what enables ASW to design platforms that feel intuitive to operators and adaptable to mission-specific requirements.

Engineering as a Foundation

At ASW, engineering excellence shapes every stage of the UAV lifecycle.
We offer complete, end-to-end development support—from early design concepts to prototyping, integration, deployment, and long-term servicing. This includes:

• mission-driven aircraft design

• NDAA-compliant hardware architecture

• scalable fleet-level engineering

• custom payload integration

• open-architecture systems built for long operational life

Clients work directly with ASW engineers, ensuring that each UAV reflects real mission parameters rather than generic configurations. Whether supporting a small program or a nationwide deployment, the company delivers the technical foundation needed to operate with confidence.

A High-Level Look at ASW Platforms

While ASW’s product line includes advanced technologies, the company’s focus remains on creating flexible systems rather than a specific aircraft. One example of this philosophy is the HLM platform—a modular, payload-agnostic, NDAA-compliant system engineered for evolving mission requirements. Designed and manufactured in California, it integrates seamlessly with tools like CubePilot and ArduPilot and incorporates safety technologies such as PARASAFE™.

However, the platform is only one part of ASW’s broader vision: enabling clients to build sustainable, scalable UAV programs supported by American manufacturing and expert engineering.

Support That Scales With You

ASW’s partnership-driven model ensures that clients receive more than a delivered aircraft. Our team supports:

• flight planning and operational readiness

• SOP development and risk-reduction strategies

• hands-on training for new and expanding operators

• ongoing support across nationwide or multi-site programs

From launch to long-term scaling, ASW’s U.S.-based support model helps maximize uptime, reduce operational complexity, and ensure consistent performance across the fleet.

Moving Beyond Pre-Built Solutions

For organizations needing more than an off-the-shelf drone, ASW provides a future-proof path forward. Our engineering team enables clients to break free from fixed payloads, restrictive vendor ecosystems, and one-size-fits-all designs. With open architecture, forward-compatible systems, and responsive engineering support, ASW empowers operators to build custom solutions that grow as their missions evolve.

A Commitment to the Future of Flight

Aero Systems West exists to push unmanned aviation forward—responsibly, safely, and with a commitment to real-world reliability. Through deep engineering roots, U.S.-based manufacturing, and strong safety partnerships, we are building the foundation for the next era of UAV operations.

Our mission is to lift yours—today, tomorrow, and for the future of flight.