The Protection Innovation Unit (DIU) has introduced substantial adjustments to its Blue sUAS program, now instantly recognizing Inexperienced UAS licensed platforms as eligible for Blue UAS Cleared standing. These updates signify a extra inclusive method to certifying safe unmanned plane programs (UAS) for governmental and Division of Protection (DoD) use.
Main Context: Hegseth’s Memo and Program Switch to DCMA
In July 2025, a pivotal memo from Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth injected new urgency into U.S. drone procurement. The memo responded to the accelerating tempo of worldwide drone manufacturing and battlefield innovation, calling for speedy scaling of American-made drones for navy use and the removing of procurement roadblocks. To allow swifter drone acquisition and help for home producers, the memo transferred administration accountability for the Blue sUAS listing from DIU to the Protection Contract Administration Company (DCMA), efficient January 1, 2026. DCMA’s higher sources and staffing are supposed to deal with bottlenecks and open the listing to extra certified U.S. drone corporations.
The earlier system, which was solely managed by DIU, typically restricted entry for NDAA-compliant U.S. producers on account of constrained analysis capability. Underneath the brand new framework, DCMA will oversee a “two-tier” system, consisting of a broader Blue UAS Cleared Record and a extra choose Blue UAS Choose Record, streamlining approvals whereas supporting nationwide safety targets.
Key Updates from DIU
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Inexperienced UAS Certification Now Acknowledged: Platforms reaching Inexperienced UAS certification—managed by the Affiliation for Uncrewed Automobile Techniques Worldwide (AUVSI)—are actually routinely added to the Blue UAS Cleared Record. This goals to speed up deployment and develop the vary of compliant sUAS choices.
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Streamlined Third-Occasion Evaluation: DIU has established acknowledged third-party assessors, together with MTSI, AUVSI, and Darkish Wolf Options to conduct safety evaluations, decreasing delays in approval and fostering a multi-stakeholder validation course of.
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Forthcoming Guidelines: DIU is finalizing a standardized Blue UAS Guidelines for use throughout companies, additional clarifying certification procedures.
Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI, famous:
“This can be a significant step for the broader drone ecosystem. The power to realize Blue UAS Cleared standing via Inexperienced UAS certification supplies a right away, standards-based pathway for safe platform adoption. On the similar time, work is underway to develop a unified evaluation course of that can help direct Blue UAS certification via authorised third-party assessors. These efforts replicate a shared give attention to accelerating entry to trusted, domestically sourced programs.”
Implications for Producers and Companies
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Simpler Entry, Quicker Approval: Certified American drone corporations can now entry the federal government market extra readily, because of the expanded function for third-party assessors and DCMA’s devoted sources.
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Broader, Extra Aggressive Market: The 2-tier system ensures extra drones are authorised and out there, whereas a choose subset focuses on high-priority navy wants, encouraging competitors and innovation.
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Consumer-Pushed Enhancements: Upcoming digital platforms will characteristic person scores from subject operators, additional guiding company purchases and steady product enchancment.
AUVSI’s Function with Inexperienced UAS Certification
AUVSI’s new standing as a Acknowledged Assessor—alongside the incorporation of Inexperienced UAS licensed platforms—ensures that drones assembly complete safety, provide chain, and connectivity requirements can transfer shortly via the approval pipeline. The Inexperienced UAS course of will supply instant eligibility for the Blue UAS Cleared Record upon certification. Discover AUVSI’s steerage doc right here.
Wanting Ahead
These measures replicate a decisive step in the direction of harmonizing business and protection UAS requirements, addressing nationwide calls for for velocity, flexibility, and the speedy fielding of trusted know-how. By leveraging DCMA’s sources and a reformed certification pathway, the Pentagon positions itself to satisfy trendy battlefield necessities and help home drone innovation at scale.
