Modular platforms. Operational payloads. One scalable fleet.

Since 2015, ASW has delivered mission-ready drone systems built for complex operations in the field. Our team of engineers, flight instructors, and UAV specialists develop scalable, NDAA-compliant platforms for government, industrial, and tactical deployment.

NDAA Compliance Standard · Open Source · Modular · Made in the USA · Mission-Ready and Field-Tested (all come standard)
NDAA Compliant · Open Source

Why Choose ASW’s Heavy Lift Multirotor (HLM) Platform?

Modular by Design

Swap payloads, upgrade components, and deploy different airframes from a unified base platform (Quad, Hex, or Octo).

Field-Ready Architecture

Open-source compatibility means you’re never locked in. With the ASW drone platform, you can easily customize missions with rapid integration of tools, sensors, and control systems.

Safety-First Engineering

Designed to comply with ASTM F38 and FAA Part 108 standards. PARASAFE™ parachutes and redundant power options protect every flight.

Mission Support Included

From spec strategy to payload testing, ASW doesn’t just ship drones: we partner with your team to train, configure, and scale deployment.

Industrial Drones Built to Do More

If your current system feels like a fixed asset, it’s time to upgrade to a platform. ASW’s HLM series isn’t a single drone—it’s a modular, NDAA-compliant fleet architecture engineered for real-world operations. Whether you’re integrating EO/IR gimbals, LiDAR, delivery systems, or custom payloads, our heavy-lift airframes are designed to adapt, not age out. 

ILM Quadcopter

Elevated Performance Beyond Prosumer
5kg / 11lbs Payload Capacity
  • Four (4) Motors, 1158mm diameter, user adjustable height and ground clearance
  • Max Flight Time*: 43 Minutes
  • Max Forward Flight Range*: ~26km (16mi)
  • Service Ceiling: 3600m MSL
  • Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)*: 12kg (6lbs)
  • Payload Mounting: Various
  • Battery Configuration: Single LiPo Pack
  • Transport & Storage: Pelican Shell Case

HLM Quadcopter

Agile and Ready to Work
20kg / 44lbs Payload Capacity
  • Four (4) Motors, 1505mm diameter, user adjustable height and ground clearance
  • Max Flight Time*: 65 Minutes
  • Max Forward Flight Range*: ~41km (25mi)
  • Service Ceiling: 3600m MSL
  • Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)*: 42kg (92lbs)
  • Payload Mounting: Standard slot patterns, optional rails
  • Battery Configuration: Dual LiPo Packs (standard or extended range options)
  • Transport & Storage: LightFlite hard shell case

HLM Hexacopter

Versatile and Scalable Payload Flexibility
30kg / 66lbs Payload Capacity
  • Six (6) Motors, 1658mm diameter, user adjustable height and ground clearance
  • Max Flight Time*: 60 Minutes
  • Max Forward Flight Range*: ~37km (23mi)
  • Service Ceiling: 3600m MSL
  • Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)*: 55kg (121lbs)
  • Payload Mounting: Standard slot patterns, optional rails
  • Battery Configuration: Dual LiPo Packs (standard or extended range options)
  • Transport & Storage: LightFlite hard shell case

HLM Octocopter

Maximum Payload, Power and Precision
35kg / 77lbs Payload Capacity
  • Eight (8) Motors, 2107mm diameter, user adjustable height and ground clearance
  • Max Flight Time*: 70 Minutes
  • Max Forward Flight Range*: ~47km (29mi)
  • Service Ceiling: 3600m MSL
  • Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)*: 76kg (167lbs)
  • Payload Mounting: Standard slot patterns, optional rails
  • Battery Configuration: Dual LiPo Packs (standard or extended range options)
  • Transport & Storage: LightFlite hard shell case

*Performance values are nominal and based on standard test conditions. Actual results may vary depending on payload configuration, environmental factors, and operational practices. Maximum payload and MTOW values represent the upper edge of the tested flight envelope and should not be considered standard operating parameters. Operating near these limits may require additional tuning or integration support. Always consult ASW before flying at or near maximum published specifications. This specification is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a warranty, commitment, or guarantee of performance.

What Can the HLM Carry?

The HLM platform supports a wide range of mission-critical payloads including gimbaled cameras, LiDAR systems, precision sprayers, winches, release mechanisms, and custom sensor arrays. Its modular design and open architecture make it easy to integrate and deploy specialized equipment in the field—enabling operators to adapt quickly across industries, from inspection and mapping to delivery, spraying, and more.

Inspection & Utilities

  • Pole and line inspection sensors (optical, UV, thermal)
  • Radiometric thermal cameras
  • Gas leak detection and environmental sampling units

LiDAR & Mapping

  • High-resolution LiDAR sensors for 3D terrain modeling
  • Multispectral and hyperspectral cameras
  • RTK and PPK GNSS modules for precision survey work

Delivery & Deployment

  • Modular boxes and sling systems for payload transport
  • Emergency payload drop systems (e.g., medical supplies, radios, tools)
  • Autonomous delivery via Mission Planner

ISR & Surveillance

  • EO/IR gimbals (e.g., 20–60mm optical zoom, dual thermal sensors)
  • Long-range surveillance cameras with object tracking
  • Fixed forward-facing FPV or multi-camera setups
  • Infrared / thermal payloads for search and rescue

Custom & Government Payloads

  • Encrypted communications or tactical relays
  • Acoustic sensors
  • Radiation detection
  • CBRNE or other classified mission-specific packages

UAVs for Mining, Agriculture, ISR & Delivery · Built for tool drops, aerial data capture, surveillance, and real-world response

Why Partner with ASW

We don’t just sell drones — we help teams take flight with confidence.

With over a decade of proven performance in the field, Aero Systems West is more than a drone manufacturer: we’re a trusted engineering partner to organizations that demand results. From NASA to NPS, USGS to Freeport-McMoRan, our systems support missions where failure isn’t an option.

Every platform is built in California with precision, care, and a focus on long-term reliability. Backed by global safety leader Nippon Kayaku, we contribute to regulatory progress, prioritize safety, and remain committed to evolving the unmanned industry alongside the people shaping it.

Innovation in Action

See how our mission and manufacturing principles come together in the field — built by a team that knows what’s at stake and how to deliver.

Video: Copyright ©2025 Gremsy

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