Blue UAS to Green UAS: the Evolution of Secure Drone Certification for Inspired Flight

Inspired Flight, a leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer, has been at the forefront of the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, producing NDAA-compliant platforms like the IF1200A and IF800 Tomcat. These drones serve diverse applications across sectors such as energy, construction, public safety, and infrastructure inspection. With certifications under both Blue UAS and Green UAS frameworks, Inspired Flight is uniquely positioned to address the evolving needs of government and commercial operators.

 

Understanding Blue UAS and Green UAS Certifications

The Blue UAS program, developed by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), was designed to vet drones for Department of Defense (DoD) use. It ensures compliance with stringent cybersecurity standards and NDAA regulations, making drones on this list suitable for sensitive military operations. However, Blue UAS configurations lack features such as Remote ID compliance, which is crucial for FAA-authorized commercial airspace operations. Inspired Flight’s Senior Director of Business Development, Adam Bilmes, explains: “The Blue UAS program is intended for DoD warfighting end-users. This means that the ‘Blue UAS-approved’ configuration of any system is strictly controlled, includes DoD-specific encryption layers, and has no Remote ID.”

To address the broader market needs beyond defense applications, the Green UAS program was introduced by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) in collaboration with DIU. Green UAS certification maintains rigorous security standards while incorporating features tailored to commercial users and non-defense government agencies. “Green UAS gaining a stronger foothold in the market speaks to the ongoing recognition and investment by the marketplace to adopt NDAA-compliant and U.S.-made technology,” says Bilmes.

Transitioning from Blue to Green: A Strategic Realignment

Inspired Flight  – along with many other NDAA-compliant US manufacturers – was removed from the Blue UAS program during a competitive refresh held by DIU earlier this year. This update aimed to streamline the list by focusing on platforms that directly meet evolving DoD operational needs. “The primary evaluation was based on the quantity of units sold to DoD warfighting end-users,” Bilmes explains. “Since less than 5% of our business involves direct sales to these end-users, our systems were removed—similar to other commercial-first companies.”  Other companies in a similar position declined to participate in the Blue UAS update, as the strategic requirements no longer made sense for their business model. The changes after the last refresh reflect shifting priorities within DIU rather than any change in Inspired Flight’s security or performance standards.

For Inspired Flight, transitioning from Blue UAS to Green UAS certification reflects a strategic realignment rather than a downgrade. The shift allows its platforms to better serve commercial markets while retaining their high-security credentials. “The transition process was simple as we were being transitioned directly from the Blue to the Green List,” Bilmes notes. “This meant that our systems automatically met the security and version control requirements of the Green UAS list.”

Green UAS certification expands upon Blue UAS by adding assessments like corporate cyber hygiene and remote operations connectivity—elements vital for commercial applications. This enables Inspired Flight’s drones to comply with FAA regulations while maintaining rigorous cybersecurity standards. “Green UAS configurations align more closely with Part 107 requirements and how commercial enterprises need to operate,” Bilmes explains.

Dual Certification: Meeting Diverse Market Needs

While less than 5% of Inspired Flight’s business involves direct sales to DoD warfighting end-users, the previous Blue UAS certifications and current Green UAS certification still allow the company to effectively serve both military and civilian markets. “Existing DoD customers that purchased Inspired Flight systems as Blue UAS automatically get a two-year extension to their Blue UAS status,” Bilmes shares. “New customers can continue to use and procure our systems through the ETP waiver process.”

Shaping the Future of Secure Drone Technology

Looking ahead, Inspired Flight sees Green UAS certification becoming a cornerstone of secure drone technology for commercial and non-defense government use. Bilmes predicts: “The main way I see Green UAS evolving is continuing to get more government and industry buy-in that this is the primary certification vehicle that those in the Commercial Drone Industry should be paying attention to.” He also highlights AUVSI’s role in promoting this framework: “As the principal architect of this program, AUVSI is putting their full weight behind it.”

Inspired Flight is leveraging this transition to focus on innovation tailored to commercial needs. “Our entire focus remains on bringing more capability to our customers by improving user experience, expanding our fully integrated payload ecosystem, and launching cloud software tools designed for commercial enterprises,” says Bilmes.

Bridging Security Standards Across Markets

As geopolitical tensions drive demand for secure American-made drones, programs like Green UAS represent an important evolution in certification frameworks. By bridging defense-grade security with commercial usability, these certifications provide a pathway for US manufacturers like Inspired Flight to lead in shaping secure drone technology across diverse sectors. As Bilmes succinctly puts it: “Green UAS solves this problem by creating a list of vetted and secure systems intended to serve commercial and non-Defense Government customers.”