As the unmanned aerial system (UAS) industry continues to evolve, so too do the standards and certifications that govern it. Among the most important of these certifications is the Blue UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) list, a roster curated by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) that includes drones vetted and approved for use by the Department of Defense (DoD). However, with the recent update to the Blue UAS list, many platforms, including those from Inspired Flight, have found themselves transitioning to the Green UAS certification pathway. While the transition might raise questions, it highlights a significant shift in the UAS ecosystem, especially in how drones will be used in both governmental and commercial contexts.
Blue UAS is a certification program designed to ensure that drones meet stringent cybersecurity and operational standards tailored to the unique needs of the DoD. Being listed on the Blue UAS list means that the drone has been rigorously tested for compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which outlines the requirements for UAS platforms purchased by the Department of Defense. The Blue UAS program primarily focuses on validating platforms for national defense applications, ensuring they meet the highest security standards to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber vulnerabilities.
Drones on the Blue UAS list are meant to serve as trusted, secure platforms for military missions and other DoD-specific applications. The key selling point of Blue UAS certification is that it guarantees the platform can be deployed in highly sensitive environments, directly supporting frontline operations. However, it is important to note that Blue UAS certification excludes Remote ID (RID) capabilities, meaning that platforms solely on the Blue UAS list are not authorized for commercial airspace operations under current FAA regulations. Additionally, Blue UAS certification includes higher levels of encryption and secure communication standards tailored for defense applications, which may not always align with the needs of commercial and enterprise drone users.
While the Blue UAS list is focused on military and defense applications, the Green UAS certification pathway, managed by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) in partnership with DIU, is geared toward broader, non-defense markets. The Green UAS Cleared List includes drones that have undergone rigorous cybersecurity assessments similar to the Blue UAS certification process but with additional focus on factors critical to commercial, public safety, and government applications outside of the DoD.
The Green UAS certification expands beyond the basic requirements of the NDAA. It includes frameworks for assessing corporate cyber hygiene, product security, remote operations, and supply chain management. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that drones on the Green UAS list meet the highest levels of cybersecurity, operational integrity, and performance, key factors for industries that demand secure and reliable platforms. It is particularly important for agencies that need to ensure continuous operational capabilities while safeguarding sensitive data, such as law enforcement, local government, and utility companies.
For platforms like Inspired Flight’s drones, transitioning from Blue UAS to Green UAS is not a step backward but rather an opportunity to continue offering secure, compliant, and high-performance systems to commercial and industry sectors. This shift reflects a broader understanding that NDAA compliance, while crucial, is not limited to defense-only applications.
Nothing about the aircraft or Inspired Flight changed, the program changed. The updates to the Blue UAS list were driven by shifting priorities in the DoD’s procurement strategy, not by changes to the security or performance of the aircraft themselves. In fact, many drones transitioning from Blue to Green UAS retain the same rigorous security and compliance standards while adding industry-relevant features like Remote ID and enhanced encryption.
In fact, being NDAA-compliant is often sufficient for most commercial and industrial applications, where security concerns and the need for reliable data are paramount. The Green UAS pathway ensures that these platforms can still meet the cybersecurity and performance standards required by both government and commercial entities, making them suitable for a variety of applications in industries such as infrastructure inspections, public safety, environmental monitoring, and more.
The key difference between Blue UAS and Green UAS lies in their focus areas: Blue UAS is essentially a tool for frontline defense missions, while Green UAS certification ensures a broader application of secure drone technology, serving critical needs across multiple sectors. For industries and agencies that do not operate within the specific scope of DoD operations, the Green UAS list offers a more fitting certification, without compromising on security or compliance.
The transition to Green UAS underscores the importance of NDAA compliance, not just for defense use but for commercial and public safety applications as well. Many commercial sectors are now placing a premium on security and regulatory adherence, especially when it comes to data protection. For example, industries like utilities, law enforcement, and energy require platforms that can operate in sensitive environments while ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data they collect.
What’s important to recognize is that NDAA compliance is often sufficient for most commercial applications. While the Blue UAS list was designed to meet the unique needs of the DoD, Green UAS is a more versatile pathway that extends these security measures to a broader range of industries.
As the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) clarifies:
“The laws and regulations that we use for Blue UAS only apply to the DOD, no one else in the Government (federal, state, or local) are held to these laws. No one. If someone says ‘you must be Blue’ to sell, they are incorrect, or they have chosen that path of their own choice, independent of any other organizations.”
For those outside the defense space, Green UAS ensures that drones can be deployed in secure, trusted environments without needing to meet the highly specific requirements of military operations.
The shift from Blue UAS to Green UAS is a crucial development for manufacturers like Inspired Flight, as it enables platforms to remain in compliance with NDAA requirements while also expanding their reach into commercial markets. This transition bridges the gap between the defense sector and industries that require robust, secure, and compliant drone technology for critical operations.
While Blue UAS remains a valuable certification for frontline military use, Green UAS offers a broader, more flexible path for secure, NDAA-compliant drones to serve a variety of non-DoD sectors. The Green UAS pathway ensures that drones can continue to meet rigorous security standards, demonstrating their value not only for government agencies but also for businesses and organizations in industries like public safety, energy, and infrastructure.
For the commercial and public safety markets, the Green UAS certification is the next frontier, offering a new way to ensure compliance without sacrificing security or performance. Whether you're inspecting infrastructure, monitoring wildlife, or surveying land, drones on the Green UAS list provide the trust and reliability needed to support a wide range of vital missions.