INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has announced changes to Blue UAS that will provide a way for companies to verify their NDAA compliance as
part of a two-tiered system for Blue UAS that will allow the number of cleared systems to scale while continuing to accelerate the
pursue and fund their own NDAA compliance assessments with trusted partners to reduce barriers to acquisition and use by DoD
identified problem sets and capability gaps
DIU has worked closely with a broad range of stakeholders across the Department, Congress, the tech sector, and the autonomy industry in
commercial sector brings to unmanned systems, leveraging key authorities and budget to put the best NDAA compliant platforms in the hands of
ensure these programs support the accelerated development and scaling of the defense innovation base in delivering the capabilities we
Leveraging our multi-stakeholder partnership authority (10 U.S.C
compliant systems for cleared list inclusion
This effort will expand the number of drones to be available for operator testing by simplifying the Exception to Policy (ETP) process, and
provide data to be used by Services for potential authority to operate (ATO)
A solicitation for companies interested in providing these third-party assessments is anticipated in June.Companies that have met both
cybersecurity and NDAA requirements, through either DoD sponsorship or competitive selection, and that have received a DIU-generated or
DIU-approved ATO, will now be referred to as Blue UAS Select
Companies already selected to be on the Blue List based on 2024 evaluation and selection will transition to Blue UAS Select, valid for the
length of their ATO, typically 24 months
After the ATO expiration date, all drones will need to go through a Service sponsored evaluation or through a competitive process for
retention of the ATO.DIU will continue to support the modular integration and scaling of compliant components for UAS through the Blue UAS
Blue List, we have begun utilizing commercial best practices for continuous monitoring of software in order to provide rapid approval for
sharing with the nonprofit organization AUVSI, will leverage the AUVSI Green UAS program for Blue UAS Cleared compliance.As a means to
launch the Project GI Challenge
This challenge is intended to amplify Blue UAS efforts to provide warfighters with the capabilities needed to prevail in combat.DIU will
continue to work with the rest of the Department, Congress and industry partners to meet greater and more consistent demand at scale,
DIU will work closely with AUVSI and others across the ecosystem on efforts for outreach and coordination.Source: Defense Innovation Unit
