Japan Drone Maker to Enter US Market

Japan’s biggest drone manufacturer is set to launch in the U.S. commercial drone market.

The manufacturer, ACSL, currently provides drones to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and provides disaster support for the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

According to the company, it will be entering the U.S. market later this year with its National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant small-scale drone.

It is also expected to open a U.S. team and launch a California-based subsidiary to deal exclusively with operations in the region.

“ACSL has been working hard to establish itself in its home market with a lineup that has consistently proven itself as a reliable tool that delivers results,” said Chris Raabe, ACSL chief technology officer. “We began arranging product demos for potential U.S. clients late last year.”

Founded in 2013, ACSL is focused on the “manufacture and sale of industrial drones and customization services for unmanned and IoT applications using autonomous control technology.”

The company’s Soften drone, launched in 2021, is a foldable, aerial photography design suited to critical infrastructure inspections and search-and-rescue missions. The drone is fitted with a swappable camera system to offer the design greater flexibility and control, as well as obstacle detection sensors.

Credit: ACSL

ACSL said the drone attracted U.S. attention due to its security features, which it says prevents data leakage, extraction and resistance to aircraft hijacking.

While previously Chinese manufacturers held the majority stake in the U.S. drone market, a recent NDAA ban on the purchasing of Chinese drones due to security concerns has opened the market for other companies.

“Japan is a country renowned for its manufacturing of premium technology and ACSL is no exception,” said Cynthia Huang, ACSL CEO. “There is immense attention to detail and very intentional product development that goes into each system.”