As the U.S. government enacts rules to secure national security, two critical terms are shaping the drone industry: NDAA compliance and Blue UAS certification. These certifications focus on drones made within North America and aim to protect government and military operations from foreign influence. Here’s what you need to know to understand these terms and their impact.
Why This Matters: U.S. Legislation on Drones
Recently, the U.S. government passed laws that limit federal agencies from using drones or equipment made by companies linked to certain foreign countries. These laws are designed to protect U.S. national security by restricting technology from companies under foreign influence.
This has led states like Florida to ban DJI drones for state and local government applications. Although the ban doesn’t directly affect private and commercial users, it can influence any companies or contractors that work with the government, as well as institutions that rely on federal funding.
American-Made Drones: The Push for Local Manufacturing
With the uncertainty surrounding foreign-made drones, there’s been a surge in developing and manufacturing drone technology within North America. This focus has given rise to new certifications and standards that ensure drones are safe for government use.
What is NDAA Compliance?
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a set of U.S. laws that sets budgets and rules for military spending, including strict controls over certain types of technology used by federal agencies.
NDAA compliance for drones means:
- Certain components are not manufactured or controlled by companies in countries deemed a national security risk.
- The components include flight controllers, radios, data transmission devices, cameras, gimbals, ground control systems, or operating software manufactured in a covered foreign country or by a company based in a covered foreign country.
What is Blue UAS Certification?
Blue UAS is a program created by the Department of Defense (DoD) to simplify and standardize the selection of secure, NDAA-compliant drones for military use. Think of Blue UAS as a trusted "seal of approval" for drones that meet strict security and compliance standards.
For a drone to achieve Blue UAS status, it must:
- Pass supply chain checks to ensure its parts are not sourced from risky foreign entities.
- Undergo cybersecurity assessments to confirm that its software and data transmission systems are safe from hacking.
As of November 2024, only 14 drone manufacturers have received Blue UAS certification. These certified drones offer the highest assurance for security-conscious government applications.
What Candrone Offers
At Candrone, we provide drones that meet both NDAA and Blue UAS compliance standards, making them suitable for secure, government-approved applications. Here are some of the key products we offer:
NDAA-Compliant Drones:
- Draganfly: Commander 3XL, Apex, Heavy Lift
- Inspired Flight: IF 1200, IF 800
- Freefly Systems: Astro, Alta X
Blue UAS Certified Drones:
- Freefly Systems: Astro, Alta X
- Inspired Flight: IF 1200, IF 800
Understanding NDAA and Blue UAS Compliance
NDAA compliance ensures drones are free from security risks related to manufacturing and supply chains. Blue UAS certification takes this a step further by enforcing additional security and cyber protections for military-grade usage.
Together, NDAA and Blue UAS compliance give U.S. agencies and contractors confidence that the drones they use meet strict security requirements, avoiding technology that could pose a threat to national security.
Key Takeaways
- National Security Focus: New U.S. laws limit federal agencies from using drones from specific foreign manufacturers to protect against potential security threats.
- NDAA Compliance: Ensures that certain components are free from parts sourced from high-risk countries.
- Blue UAS Certification: Confirms that the drones have undergone rigorous security checks, providing a higher level of trust for military use.
- Impact on Industry: While U.S. rules don’t directly affect private use, they impact government contracts, contractors, and certain educational and research projects.
Implications in Canada
While Canada doesn’t yet require NDAA or Blue UAS compliance for its government drone applications, many organizations involved in critical infrastructure are increasingly aware of these standards.
Candrone supports these needs by providing secure, compliant drone solutions that meet or exceed these emerging security requirements.
