The Rules Are Changing for Medium UAS
Medium UAS regulations are entering a new phase one that prioritizes airspace safety, mission accountability, and component compliance. From the FAA’s new Part 108 rule to Canada’s 2025 drone law changes for aircraft over 25 kg, these updates mark a clear shift.
Operators who once thrived on innovation alone are now being asked to meet strict operational and safety standards. The message is clear:
Compliance is the new baseline.
Operators Need More Than a Drone
As medium UAS regulations evolve, drone operators need to rethink what it means to be “mission-ready.” It’s no longer enough to carry a payload, you need a system that’s safe, adaptable, and regulation-forward.
Critical requirements include:
- NDAA-compliant components
- Redundant GNSS and failover systems
- Integrated parachutes or other certified safety measures
- Modular designs that support evolving mission profiles
This is where the right heavy-lift drone platform makes all the difference.
Introducing Our Heavy Lift Multirotor (HLM) Platform
ASW’s Heavy Lift Multirotor (HLM) platform isn’t just a drone, it’s a flexible foundation for industrial-scale UAS operations.
Refined over years of field use, the HLM platform is available in three configurations:
- HLM Quad: Lightest option, efficient and agile (20 kg payload)
- HLM Hex: Ideal balance of power and redundancy (25 kg payload)
- HLM Octo: Maximum stability and lift for sensitive payloads (30 kg payload)
Each platform is built to scale with your operation:
- Open-source control (CubePilot hardware ecosystem, ArduPilot software ecosystem)
- Payload-agnostic mounting for EO/IR, LiDAR, delivery, or ISR
- NDAA-compliance standard
- Field-proven design with production-ready refinements
We don’t sell locked-in, single-use drones.
We sell a platform designed to adapt – to your team, your tools, and the future of medium UAS regulations.
Built-In Safety with PARASAFE™
Safety is no longer optional under medium UAS regulations. That’s why every HLM platform can be equipped with our ASTM-compliant PARASAFE™ 25kg-rated parachute system.
Currently undergoing ASTM certification testing, the PARASAFE system meets stringent operational requirements for flight over people, infrastructure, and BVLOS missions.
We’re also collaborating with Nippon Kayaku, our parent company and global leader in airbag inflator technology, to expand our line of safety systems, including inflatable landing gear for low-altitude use cases.
Our commitment to safety isn’t a feature. It’s part of the platform.
Why This Matters in 2025
With medium UAS regulations changing across North America, drone programs are facing a critical decision:
Are you buying a drone, or investing in a platform that will grow with you?
Our HLM series isn’t a new product. It’s the next evolution of a proven design, refined for compliance, efficiency, and modular expansion. Whether you’re just starting a drone program or scaling to multiple teams and locations, the HLM is designed to meet you where you are and get your team where you need to go.
Meet Us at CUAV 25
We’ll be showcasing our HLM series, safety systems, and mission-ready kits at CUAV 25. Come see what’s possible with the right platform, and the right team behind it.
Claim Your Free CUAV 25 Ticket Here