the Affiliation for Uncrewed Car Techniques Worldwide (AUVSI) introduced the publication of a memo, with validation from the Protection Innovation Unit (DIU), with procurement steerage and suggestions for federal authorities businesses; state, native, and tribal authorities businesses; public security businesses; and personal trade conducting delicate missions utilizing drones.
The memo follows the passage of the American Safety Drone Act (ASDA) into regulation in December 2023 and publication of a joint memo from the FBI and CISA in January 2024 titled, “Cybersecurity Guidance: Chinese-Manufactured Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).”
Casie Ocaña, Director, Trusted Packages at AUVSI mentioned: “We’ve seen an increased focus from industry and end-users on drone security, but both private and public entities face challenges in determining which regulations, standards, or guidance they must or should abide by in their procurement processes. Our goal is for this document to provide clarity on technology solutions that meet users’ needs.”
The memo’s launch additionally follows the current signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DIU and AUVSI to create a course of for drone element producers holding Inexperienced UAS certification to share their knowledge straight with DIU. The target is to facilitate the inclusion of licensed parts on DIU’s Blue UAS Framework record, streamlining certification opinions for element producers.
David Michelson, Director of the autonomy portfolio at DIU, mentioned: “The intent behind our effort with AUVSI is to increase availability of NDAA verified UAS components to the uncrewed industry at large and streamline the process for Blue UAS consideration. As we look ahead to a refresh of vendors and platforms on the Blue UAS Cleared List later this year, DIU is prioritizing UAS that have already been vetted as meeting the highest levels of cybersecurity and NDAA supply chain requirements.”
AUVSI expects to announce the certification of further UAS platforms as Inexperienced authorised within the coming weeks, which is able to increase the choices of vetted UAS that serve sectors in public security, crucial infrastructure, and agriculture.
Learn the memo: Safe Drone Procurement Steering: Blue UAS and Inexperienced UAS.