Drone Manufacturers Navigate NDAA and Blue sUAS

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Government agencies looking to use drones in their programs are, like so many things in government, subject to restrictions and regulations. Short lists for approved suppliers are in place to help make the decision-making process easier, but are frustrating many drone manufacturers who didn’t make the list.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which defines what the Department of Defense can buy, has spurred drone manufacturers to work toward complying with NDAA requirements. Compliance, in part, includes not being manufactured in Russia, China, and other “adversarial countries.”

Many U.S. manufacturers invested heavily in NDAA compliance, while others are simply touting “Made in the USA,” which is not the same. Agencies have to conduct further research and vetting to confirm whether drones made in the USA are NDAA compliant.

The drone marketplace has become more and more complex, with new hardware and software suppliers jumping in consistently. 

From Auterion

In an attempt to simplify purchasing decisions, the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages contracting for the U.S. government, created a “Blue sUAS” list, which includes “five U.S.-manufactured drone configurations to provide trusted, secure small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) options to the U.S. Government.”

The original blue list include five configurations:

  • Skydio’s X2-D

  • Parrot’s Anafi USA

  • Altavian’s M440 Ion

  • Teal Drones’ Golden Eagle

  • Vantage Robotics’ Vesper

The list, now dubbed “Blue sUAS 2.0” has since expanded to 11 configurations.

Drone solutions providers that have been left off the list, even though they are NDAA compliant and submitted applications, are petitioning the GSA to remove the Blue sUAS requirements. Inclusion or exclusion from the list can have a major impact on a company’s sales and opportunities. 

The conversation on this topic will continue. Learn more about the latest energy drone technology and trends at the 6th Annual Energy Drone & Robotics Summit, June 20-22, 2022, in Houston, TX.