In the rapidly evolving world of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, security and compliance have become paramount concerns, particularly for government and commercial users. Two certification programs—Blue UAS and Green UAS—have emerged as key frameworks to address these issues, ensuring that drones meet rigorous standards for cybersecurity and supply chain integrity. While both programs aim to foster trust in drone technology, they serve distinct purposes, cater to different audiences, and impose varying levels of scrutiny. This article delves into the differences between Blue UAS and Green UAS, exploring their origins, objectives, processes, and implications for the drone industry.
What is Blue UAS?
Blue UAS is a program initiated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through its Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in 2020. It was born out of a pressing need to provide DoD personnel with access to secure, policy-compliant commercial drones amid growing concerns over data security and foreign influence in UAS technology. The program’s primary goal is to vet and approve drones for use in sensitive military and federal government operations, ensuring they meet stringent cybersecurity and supply chain requirements.
To earn the Blue UAS designation, drones must comply with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), particularly Section 848 of the FY20 NDAA, which prohibits the DoD from procuring drones manufactured in certain adversarial countries (e.g., China) or using components from those nations. Beyond NDAA compliance, Blue UAS drones undergo exhaustive cybersecurity assessments, including vulnerability and penetration testing, to safeguard against data breaches or unauthorized transmissions. A notable requirement is that Blue UAS drones must often operate offline—disconnected from the internet—to eliminate risks of remote exploitation, a feature tailored to military-grade security needs.
The Blue UAS Cleared List, maintained by the DIU, includes specific drone models and vendors that have passed this rigorous vetting process. As of March 2025, the list has expanded from its initial 10 models to over 20 drones from more than 14 companies, reflecting the program’s growth and adaptability. Examples include platforms like the Skydio X10D and Inspired Flight’s IF1200A, which cater to defense applications such as reconnaissance, mapping, and infrastructure inspection. The process to join the Blue UAS list is costly and time-intensive, often requiring a DoD sponsor or participation in a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) event, making it a high bar for manufacturers to clear.
What is Green UAS?
Green UAS, launched in 2023 by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), builds on the foundation of Blue UAS but shifts its focus to a broader audience. Unlike its DoD-centric counterpart, Green UAS targets non-defense users, including federal agencies outside the DoD (e.g., Department of Interior, U.S. Forest Service), state and local governments, public safety organizations, and private industry. The program aims to certify commercial drones that meet high cybersecurity and NDAA supply chain standards, offering a more accessible and scalable alternative to Blue UAS.
Green UAS mirrors many of Blue UAS’s security requirements, including NDAA compliance and cybersecurity vetting through security controls assessments and penetration testing. However, its standards are less stringent in certain areas, reflecting the diverse needs of its target users. For instance, Green UAS drones are not required to be offline, allowing for features like live streaming and software updates that are valuable in commercial and non-defense government applications. This flexibility makes Green UAS more practical for users who prioritize functionality over the absolute security demanded by military operations.
The Green UAS Cleared List includes platforms like Ascent AeroSystems’ Spirit and AgEagle’s eBee TAC, which serve applications such as public safety, mapping, and infrastructure monitoring. The certification process, while still thorough, is designed to be more affordable and faster than Blue UAS, reducing barriers for manufacturers seeking to reach non-DoD markets. AUVSI’s initiative also serves as a stepping stone: drones certified under Green UAS can potentially transition to Blue UAS with a DoD sponsor and additional vetting, creating a pathway between the two programs.
Key Differences Between Blue UAS and Green UAS
1. Purpose and Audience
Blue UAS: Designed specifically for the DoD and federal government users requiring drones for defense and national security missions. Its focus is on warfighter needs and highly sensitive operations.
Green UAS: Targets a wider audience, including non-DoD federal agencies, state and local governments, public safety entities, and commercial operators. It addresses a broader range of applications, from wildfire monitoring to industrial inspections.
2. Security Standards
Blue UAS: Imposes military-grade security requirements, including offline operation to prevent cyber threats. The vetting process is exhaustive, aligning with the DoD’s Risk Management Framework and issuing an Authority to Operate (ATO) for approved systems.
Green UAS: Maintains high cybersecurity and NDAA compliance standards but allows online connectivity, offering flexibility for users who don’t need the extreme security of defense applications. It does not issue an ATO unless transitioning to Blue UAS.
3. Certification Process
Blue UAS: Requires a lengthy, costly process managed by the DIU, often necessitating DoD sponsorship or participation in a CSO. The focus is on aligning with specific DoD mission needs, which can limit the number of approved systems.
Green UAS: Offers a streamlined, industry-led certification process through AUVSI. It’s more accessible to manufacturers, with lower costs and faster timelines, encouraging broader participation from the commercial sector.
4. Cost and Accessibility
Blue UAS: The high cost and resource demands of certification make it a significant investment for drone companies, often feasible only for those targeting DoD contracts.
Green UAS: Reduces financial and logistical barriers, enabling smaller manufacturers and those serving non-defense markets to achieve certification and compete in the trusted drone space.
5. Transition Potential
Blue UAS: Represents the pinnacle of UAS security certification, with no further transition required unless a platform’s approval lapses during a refresh cycle.
Green UAS: Acts as a bridge, allowing certified drones to potentially move to Blue UAS with additional DoD-specific vetting, enhancing their market reach.
Implications for the Drone Industry
The distinction between Blue UAS and Green UAS reflects a bifurcated approach to addressing security in the drone ecosystem. Blue UAS strengthens the DoD’s ability to deploy trusted technology in high-stakes environments, fostering a niche but critical market for defense-oriented manufacturers. However, its exclusivity and resource demands limit its scalability, leaving a gap for non-defense users seeking secure options.
Green UAS fills this gap, promoting innovation and competition in the commercial drone sector. By offering a certification that aligns with Blue UAS standards but caters to a wider audience, it encourages manufacturers to prioritize security without the prohibitive costs of DoD approval. This dual-framework approach could bolster the domestic drone industry, reducing reliance on foreign-made systems (e.g., DJI drones, which dominate the market but face security scrutiny) and fostering a robust supply chain of trusted UAS.
For end users, the choice between Blue UAS and Green UAS depends on operational needs. Defense entities will continue to rely on Blue UAS for its uncompromising security, while public safety agencies, local governments, and private companies may find Green UAS sufficient for their purposes, benefiting from its flexibility and affordability. The interplay between the two programs also enhances procurement options, giving agencies confidence in their drone investments.
Critical Perspective: Beyond the Narrative
While Blue UAS and Green UAS are hailed as solutions to security concerns, they’re not without critique. The heavy emphasis on NDAA compliance—driven by geopolitical tensions with China—may inadvertently stifle innovation by excluding capable foreign manufacturers who could otherwise contribute to the industry. The offline requirement for Blue UAS, while secure, limits functionality in an era where connectivity drives efficiency, potentially putting U.S. operators at a disadvantage compared to global peers using online systems.
Green UAS, though more inclusive, risks diluting the “trusted” label if its standards drift too far from Blue UAS’s rigor. The transition pathway to Blue UAS, while promising, hinges on DoD sponsorship, which may perpetuate the same bottlenecks the program seeks to alleviate. Both initiatives also face funding challenges: Blue UAS relies on limited DoD resources, while Green UAS’s certification fees could deter smaller firms despite its accessibility goals.
Conclusion
Blue UAS and Green UAS represent two sides of the same coin in the drone industry’s quest for security and trust. Blue UAS is the gold standard for defense, offering uncompromising protection for national security missions, while Green UAS broadens the playing field, making secure drones viable for commercial and non-defense government use. Together, they create a spectrum of options that balance security, accessibility, and innovation—a critical step as drones become indispensable across sectors. As the industry evolves, the success of these programs will depend on their ability to adapt, collaborate, and address the diverse needs of a global market without sacrificing the principles that define them.