Published Jul 10, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT

Hylio CEO Arthur Erickson discusses Blue UAS approval, drone swarms and the future of secure U.S, drone manufacturing.

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Published Jul 10, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT

Texas-based drone manufacturer Hylio is expanding beyond its agricultural roots after one of its flagship aircraft earned a designation that significantly simplifies government procurement. In an interview with Military.com, Hylio CEO Arthur Erickson discussed the company’s ARES HYL-150, a heavy-lift drone recently added to the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS Cleared List. The designation identifies drone systems that have undergone reviews for cybersecurity, supply-chain security and federal compliance requirements, allowing government agencies to purchase approved platforms more easily. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Richmond, Texas, Hylio built its reputation developing agricultural drones used for crop spraying, fertilizer application and seeding operations. The company designs and manufactures its systems in Texas and has increasingly expanded into industrial, infrastructure and public-safety applications. “The Blue List is a pre-vetted list of drones that have been assessed for cybersecurity vulnerabilities and other security concerns,” Erickson said. “This means it’s safe for the government to purchase and utilize and not be a security threat in any sort of way.” According to the DIU, Blue UAS was created to provide trusted drone options for government users by evaluating cybersecurity risks, supply-chain integrity and compliance with federal acquisition requirements. The program emerged amid growing concerns about foreign-made drone technology and the security of critical government systems. Erickson said Blue UAS approval eliminates much of the administrative burden that historically accompanied government drone purchases. “If you’re on the Blue List, you’re good. If you’re not, it is a much more complex process,” he said. “It’s really just unifying and streamlining the process for the government to buy drones.”