The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has announced a significant transformation of its Blue UAS program, introducing a two-tiered system designed to streamline the integration of commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into Department of Defense (DoD) operations. This evolution aims to enhance the speed and scale at which compliant drones are adopted, ensuring that warfighters have timely access to cutting-edge technology.
Introducing a Two-Tiered Blue UAS Framework
The revamped Blue UAS program introduces a dual-structured approach:
- Blue UAS Cleared List: This expanded list will now incorporate drones that have undergone third-party assessments for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance. By leveraging trusted external evaluators, DIU aims to reduce barriers to entry for commercial drone manufacturers, facilitating a broader range of compliant systems available for DoD use.
- Blue UAS Select: This tier will focus on “best in breed” UAS platforms that not only meet NDAA and cybersecurity standards but also address specific capability gaps identified by military services and combatant commands. Platforms in this category will receive DIU-generated or approved Authorities to Operate (ATOs), typically valid for 24 months.
“DIU is evolving Blue UAS to match the pace of change and growing variety and scale of capabilities that the commercial sector brings to unmanned systems,” said Doug Beck, Director of the Defense Innovation Unit. “Making updates to Blue UAS is critical in continuing to evolve our military and our processes to prepare for tomorrow’s fight.”
Enhancing Compliance and Operational Readiness
To support this new structure, DIU will establish infrastructure enabling companies to pursue and fund their own NDAA compliance assessments through selected third-party entities. This initiative aims to expand the number of drones available for operator testing by simplifying the Exception to Policy (ETP) process and providing data for potential ATOs.A solicitation for companies interested in providing these third-party assessments is anticipated in June.
Additionally, DIU will continue to support the modular integration and scaling of compliant components for UAS through the Blue UAS Framework. This framework allows for the incorporation of various interoperable, NDAA-compliant UAS components and software, providing advanced capabilities to small UAS developers and reducing risk for government customers.
Accelerating Software Updates and Operational Testing
In a move to enhance the agility of UAS deployments, DIU is adopting commercial best practices for continuous monitoring of software. This approach enables rapid approval for software updates, reducing the time from 12–18 months to just 24–96 hours. “These automated tools to scan code allow us to deliver updated capabilities to the warfighter in 24 to 96 hours,” noted David Michelson, DIU’s Autonomy Portfolio Director.
To further identify and integrate top-tier drone capabilities, DIU will launch the Project GI Challenge in June 2025. This initiative is intended to amplify Blue UAS efforts by providing warfighters with the capabilities needed to prevail in combat.
Through these comprehensive updates, DIU aims to enhance the overall viability of the UAS industry while simultaneously meeting the Department’s strategic warfighter needs.
