Company - Aero Systems West Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

About Aero Systems West

Precision-Engineered UAV Solutions for the Industrial Era

Aero Systems West (ASW) is an American manufacturer of advanced heavy-lift multirotor UAVs, engineered for complex, mission-critical applications. Headquartered in California and backed by the global strength and legacy of Nippon Kayaku, ASW designs and builds high-performance drone systems that elevate operational capabilities across commercial, industrial, and government sectors.

Our modular drone platforms are designed for fleet-level integration—reducing downtime, simplifying maintenance, and offering exceptional payload flexibility.

Your Mission, Our Lift™

Our aircraft are manufactured in the United States, and purpose-built to support specialized operations with high reliability, scalability, and customization.

Vision

To enable unmanned aircraft to become an integrated, indispensable asset for industry—powering smarter, safer, and more efficient operations across the globe.

Mission

To deliver the most capable and customizable industrial drone systems on the market—American-made, mission-driven, and engineered for reliability at scale.

Meet our team

Teamwork makes the dream work

Founded in 2015 by aviation experts, systems engineers, and UAS professionals, ASW brings deep cross-sector experience from civil, defense, and research domains. In 2021, ASW was acquired by Nippon Kayaku, further strengthening our engineering resources and product development pipeline.

Together, we blend aerospace-grade precision with modern UAS innovation—developing aircraft systems that meet the evolving demands of industrial operations today and tomorrow.

What We Offer

ASW provides more than hardware—we offer tailored, full-spectrum UAS solutions. Our services include:

Systems Engineering & Flight Readiness Consulting
OEM UAS Design, Integration & Custom Manufacturing
Payload Development & Software Architecture
Bolt-On Interfaces for Specialized Tools and Sensors

From autonomous payload delivery to sensor-driven missions and counter-UAS integrations, ASW systems are built to accommodate next-generation demands through adaptable architectures and forward-compatible platforms.

Takeshi Yoshida

Chief Executive Officer

Takeshi Yoshida is the CEO of Aero Systems West (ASW), bringing expertise in program management, high-volume production, and operational efficiency. With a background at Nippon Kayaku, he focuses on advancing heavy-lift drone technology, regulatory compliance, and modular engineering solutions. Takeshi’s leadership drives innovation, efficiency, and customer-focused development, ensuring ASW remains at the forefront of UAV advancements.

Charles Neal

Chief Operating Officer

Charles is an experienced leader in rapid acquisition and advanced navigation algorithms for sUAS, having led teams for emerging sUAS technologies at the US Air Force Research Laboratories and conducted sponsored research at the Air Force Institute of Technology, and holds multiple unmanned flight certifications with a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the US Air Force Academy and an M.S. in Unmanned Systems Design from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Daniel Neal

Chief Technical Officer

With a diverse background in aeronautical and defense industries, Daniel brings extensive technical experience to ASW, having worked in roles such as Advanced Propulsion Systems Engineer at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and Flight Commander of the Anthropometry Laboratory at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing, conducting physical accommodation assessments, rapid prototyping, and 3D scanning and reverse engineering.

Shelby Swartz

Lead sUAS Technician

Shelby is ASW’s lead sUAS technician and is in charge of all shop operations from conception to final build for each aircraft. Her dedication and enthusiasm to aviation is what led her to gain her private pilot certificate, obtain her Part 107 certificate, and graduate from SJSU’s Aviation program. Her drive to continue furthering her flight experience, ratings, and endorsements is the same drive that allows her to lead a state-of-the-art sUAS production facility at our headquarters in San Martin, CA.

Trevor Katzakian

Lead of Flight Operations

Trevor is ASW’s sUAS lead test pilot with expertise in sUAS technology and a passion for aviation. As a private pilot, a commercial drone pilot with years of flight experience, and a graduate of the SJSU Aviation program, his emphasis on safety during all types of flight ensures that all ASW sUAS systems are expertly crafted and thoroughly tested before they reach customers.