What are NDAA compliant and Blue sUas drones?
NDAA Compliant and Blue sUas drones are unmanned aerial systems that meet specific security and regulatory standards set by the U.S. government.
They are required to use components from trusted sources and adhere to strict guidelines regarding the technology and parts used in their construction.
Benefits
Applications
Enhanced
Security
Built with secure and trusted hardware and software that help reduce the risk of cyber threats and espionage
Regulation
Compliance
Remotely operated robotics that meet NDAA standards ensure their approvement for government agencies and military.
Border
Security
Critical in monitoring and securing our borders, capable of detecting any unusual or illegal activities and providing crucial data to border control agencies
Law
Enforcement
Ideal to monitor large events, surveillance and gathering of evidence mitigating the risks of cyber threats, making the work of law enforcement agencies safer for the communities that they serve
Supply Chain
Integrity
The use of parts from reliable sources, help ensuring a consistent quality and reduction of the risks of substandard components or even counterfeit
Improved
Interoperability
NDAA Compliant drones are usually designed to integrate seamlessly with other compliant systems and platforms, simplifying and facilitating collaborative work between agencies and military units
Disaster
Response
NDAA compliant hardware can provide a great help in search and rescue operations, assessment in natural disasters and going into hard-to-reach areas while keeping sensible information safe
Infrastructure Inspection
Inspection of strategical infrastructure such as transportation networks, energy systems, communication systems and water supply and sanitation will benefit of using safe and compliant equipment
Products
FAQ
What is NDAA Compliant?
The National Defence Authorization act (NDAA) started in 1981 and happens annually specifying the annual budget and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense. It may or may not contain specific requirements for drones. The 2016 act was the first to really do so and the current framework is derived from the 202 act. As noted, it covers more than just drones, but for our purposes, we’ll only get into what it means for drones and drone parts.
NDAA compliance mainly deals with where drone or drone parts come from and means two things:
- Drones are not manufactured or designed by a company based in a covered foreign country (China, Russian, Iran, and North Korea)
- Drones do not use flight controllers, radio, data transmission devices, cameras, gimbals, ground control systems, or operating software manufactured or designed by a company based in a covered foreign country (China, Russian, Iran, and North Korea)
The implication is: If your drone or drone parts are not NDAA-compliant, some branches of the Canadian Federal Government cannot procure and use them. This also applies to contractors that work for the DND.
**Some branches will also require additional supply chain verification and cyber security assessments but NDAA itself in most concerned with critical parts. Virtually all NDAA compliant systems will state that they are such.
What is Blue UAS?
Blue UAS is a program created by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). It evaluates drones, drone platforms, and parts for compliance including, but not limited to supply chain and cyber security compliance. All Blue UAS certified drones and components are also NDAA-compliant.
Drones that pass this certification are added to the Blue UAS Cleared List. Currently there is Blue suas 1.0 – which is 4 sUas platforms, and Blue sUas 2.0 which are larger platforms with a wider variety of styles, sensors, and applications. This list includes several Fixed Wing Platforms. There will be a Blue sUas Refresh announced later in 2024 which will add some additional platforms and potentially remove some.
Drone parts, components, and software that pass this certification are added to the Blue UAS Framework.
In order to be considered to be on the Blue UAS Cleared List, you need a DoD sponsor organization that is able and willing to fund your platform to be continuously certified. In addition, what you build must offer a new capability or do something in a new way/method.
Of note are some key requirements: Blue drones must be able to be used, updated and repaired offline and should not be connected to the internet.
Which drones can I use?
This will largely depend on the Policy of your agency or Department. DND Canada has adopted the policy of no Chinese drones and has selected the Blue sUas Framework as approved, but other NDAA compliant platforms such as DeltaQuad, Evolve Dynamics, Quantum Systems, AeroVironment, and FLIR platforms are also allowed. The remainder of the Canadian Federal government does not have any blanket restrictions. Some private corporations may have some restrictions on certain foreign produced brands. Know your internal policy if any.
The main things you need to understand is can you use Chinese made products. If not, there are 3 main levels of restriction:
- No Chinese Made products – primarily this is DJI and Autel, but there are several others. In this case you can use platforms made basically anywhere else.
- NDAA Compliant Only – This is a specific criteria set by the US Government for DOD procurement,
- Blue sUas – This is a subset of NDAA Compliant systems as per specifications from a DIU program. It further restricts some platforms. All Blue” Platforms are NDAA compliant, but most NDAA compliant platforms are NOT Blue
The bottom line
Blue and NDAA compliant platforms are more (often much more) expensive than comparable non NDAA products. Always seek to understand the real requirements of your organization so you can buy the best platform at the best price. There are very well-made platforms by non-Chinese countries that may have some Chinese parts (and will thus be cheaper and most likely better performing) but may be completely allowable in your organization. The FLIR Siras for example.