DOD/AUVSI Partnership May Expedite Authorization for Deployment of Blue UAS
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the Department of Defense and the Association for Unmanned Vehicles System International (AUVSI) have formed an agreement to expand the Defense Department's (DOD) Blue Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) list. This expansion now includes drone components, not just drones.
The Blue UAS list encompasses drones approved for federal government use. The new agreement paves the way for manufacturers to have their drone components added to this list. This development, although seemingly technical, could have significant implications for the drone industry.
Many drone manufacturers, including those based in the U.S., rely heavily on components produced in China. The agreement could help companies meet strict supply chain requirements by providing a clear path to the use of compliant drone components.
Concerns over the country of origin, particularly the use of Chinese components, have intensified in recent years. Six months ago, Chinese drones were prohibited for use by federal agencies, and a bill is currently under consideration in Congress that would ban DJI drones nationwide.
In response, many drone companies have started to claim their drones are compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), meaning they do not use components from China or certain other countries. However, these claims are self-reported and not subject to official verification.
AUVSI's Green UAS program aims to address this issue. The program vets drones, components, and software for commercial use. Through the agreement with the DIU, Green UAS-certified companies can now share their data and security findings directly with the DIU. This could potentially lead to the inclusion of Green UAS-certified components on the Blue UAS list.
The agreement focuses on enhancing access and availability, addressing market demands, aligning with NDAA compliance, and promoting market growth. By increasing the availability of NDAA-compliant and cyber-secure platforms, it is expected to lower the costs for compliant drone technology.
So far, only one company, Skyfront, has achieved Green UAS status. Other companies, including BRINC, Skyfish, Dragonfly, and American Robotics, are seeking certification.
This partnership could simplify and expedite the compliance and exception-to-policy processes by providing a verified baseline of NDAA compliance. It also strengthens the domestic and allied drone industrial base and accelerates the adoption of secure, reliable commercial drone platforms by the military.
This partnership between the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Association for Unmanned Vehicles System International (AUVSI) could enable drone manufacturers to secure technology certification for their components, as Green UAS-certified companies can now share their data and security findings directly with the DIU. This development, in turn, could potentially lead to the inclusion of these certified components on the Blue UAS list, fostering growth in the drone business by providing a clear path to the use of compliant drone technology.
