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Blue Drones: The Full Blue UAS Cleared List [New for 2026]​

Blue UAS—also called “blue drones”—are drones that have been vetted and approved for U.S. government use through the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Blue UAS program. (“UAS” stands for uncrewed aerial systems—i.e., drones.)

→ Jump to the full list of Blue Drones

To become a blue drone, companies must undergo rigorous security, supply-chain, and performance assessments. After getting approval, the specific drone is added to the Blue UAS Cleared List.

These drones are considered trusted options for government and defense missions, and automatically approved for procurement from a safety and security standpoint.

Why Blue UAS Matters Right Now

In late 2025, the FCC effectively blocked all foreign drone companies from importing new drones. There are exemptions to the block, including exemptions for blue drones—and we expect more to be rolled out as time passes.

But the emphasis on security concerns is making Blue UAS all the more appealing to companies that want to make sure the technology they use is free from both import and potential security issues.

blue-drone-skydio-x10d
The Skydio X10D is a certified blue drone

The Full Blue UAS Cleared List

Below is the complete Blue List, compiled directly from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and organized alphabetically by manufacturer.

Each platform links to its official manufacturer page for additional details.

  • Easy Aerial: Osprey (Free Flight Version), Sparrow (Free Flight Version)
  • Zepher Flight Labs: Z1

Best Blue Drones for Industrial Inspections

While many Blue UAS are designed mainly for defense or tactical missions, a subset stands out for their inspection inspection capabilities. The drones below combine Blue UAS approval with capabilities well-suited to visual inspection, mapping, and infrastructure assessment.

Skydio X10D

blue-uas-skydio-x10d The Skydio X10D is a highly autonomous, portable drone designed for close-range inspection and situational awareness in complex environments. Its autonomy and sensor package make it especially effective for inspecting structures where GPS may be unreliable.
  • 360° obstacle avoidance and autonomous navigation for flying close to structures
  • Integrated visual and thermal imaging for condition assessment and anomaly detection
  • Compact, rapidly deployable design suited to frequent field inspections
Learn more about the Skydio X10D.

Freefly Alta X

blue-uas-freefly-alta-x The Freefly Alta X, when configured with its Blue Package, offers a heavy-lift option for demanding inspection scenarios. Its modular architecture supports advanced sensors used in complex inspection and data collection workflows.
  • High payload capacity for LiDAR, high-end cameras, and multi-sensor inspection payloads
  • Open, modular frame designed for custom inspection configurations
  • Stable flight performance under heavier sensor loads
Learn more about the FreeFly Alta X.

Teal 2

blue-uas-teal-2 The Teal 2 is a compact, rugged drone optimized for short-range inspection and reconnaissance tasks. Its small footprint and night-capable imaging make it useful for inspections where portability and rapid deployment matter.
  • Lightweight airframe for easy transport and fast deployment
  • Integrated electro-optical and thermal sensors for day and night inspections
  • Well suited to confined, indoor, or tactically constrained inspection environments
Learn more about the Teal 2.

Inspired Flight IF800

blue-uas-Inspired Flight IF800 The Inspired Flight IF800 is an industrial-grade multirotor designed for inspection and mapping missions that require heavier sensors. It strikes a balance between payload capacity and deployability for large-area infrastructure inspections.
  • Supports LiDAR, photogrammetry, and multi-sensor inspection payloads
  • Longer endurance under load compared to smaller multirotors
  • Commonly used for utility, transportation, and energy asset inspections
Learn more about the Inspired Flight IF800.

Inspired Flight IF1200A

blue-uas-IF1200 The Inspired Flight IF1200A is a heavy-lift, industrial-grade multirotor built for the rugged inspection and mapping missions. Its higher payload capacity enables the use of larger LiDAR systems and specialized inspection sensors.
  • Heavy-lift capability for large LiDAR systems and custom inspection payloads
  • Designed for stable flight with high-mass sensors
  • Well suited to large-scale infrastructure, utility, and energy inspections
Learn more about the Inspired Flight IF1200A.

What Is Blue UAS?

Blue UAS is a DOD initiative designed to help government users identify drone platforms that meet strict requirements for security and trusted technology. The goal is to reduce supply-chain and cybersecurity risk while giving agencies a faster, clearer path to procure drones that meet mission needs. But being “Blue UAS” doesn’t necessarily mean a drone is the right fit for every organization. Instead, it signals that the platform has been evaluated against government-grade requirements that many security-conscious buyers care about.
blue-uas-ebee-tac
The eBee TAC Blue UAS

How Do Drones Become Blue UAS?

To be added to the Blue UAS Cleared List, a drone platform must meet a set of strict requirements established by DOD and administered by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). While the exact evaluation process is not fully public, the core requirements generally fall into five key areas.

1. Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Blue UAS platforms must demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices, including secure communications, data encryption, and protections against unauthorized access. The goal is to ensure that sensitive data collected by the drone cannot be intercepted, exfiltrated, or manipulated.

2. Trusted Supply Chain

A key focus of the Blue UAS program is supply-chain integrity. Platforms are evaluated to reduce reliance on components or manufacturing tied to countries considered security risks. This requirement aligns closely with NDAA restrictions and broader federal concerns around foreign‑made drone technology. But unlike the NDAA label, Blue UAS drones have that supply chain formally verified. By contrast, companies can call a product “NDAA‑compliant” without going through any equivalent independent verification, so you generally can’t confirm the claim unless the system is also Blue or Green UAS.

3. Operational Capability

Beyond security, a Blue UAS must be capable of performing real-world government missions. This includes demonstrating reliable flight performance, robust command-and-control links, and the ability to carry mission-appropriate payloads.

4. Testing, Validation, and Sustainment

Drones on the Blue UAS list undergo testing and validation to confirm their performance and durability. Just as importantly, manufacturers are expected to support ongoing updates, security patches, and long-term sustainment. And companies need to keep up with these updates—drones that reach end-of-life or fall behind on updates can be removed from the list.

5. Ongoing Compliance

Inclusion on the Blue UAS Cleared List is not permanent. Platforms can be removed if they fail to address cybersecurity issues, undergo significant unapproved design changes, or no longer meet evolving government requirements. Together, these requirements make Blue UAS a relatively small but highly trusted subset of the broader drone market, prioritizing security and reliability over low cost or rapid iteration.

Blue UAS vs. Green UAS vs. NDAA-Compliant Drones

Blue UAS is often discussed alongside terms like Green UAS and NDAA-compliant drones, but these labels are not interchangeable. Understanding the differences can help buyers determine which level of vetting is appropriate for their organization.
blue-drone-ebee-vision
The eBee Vision Blue UAS

Blue UAS

Level of Security: The gold standard—but not necessary for most organizations Blue drones have been evaluated and approved for U.S. federal government use through the Department of Defense’s Blue UAS program. These drones meet the highest bar for cybersecurity, supply-chain trust, and operational suitability.
  • Approved for federal government procurement
  • Strong emphasis on cybersecurity and secure communications
  • Supply-chain scrutiny aligned with national security requirements
  • Ongoing compliance and re-evaluation over the life of the platform

Green UAS

Level of Security: Very high, and more than sufficient for the needs of most private companies Green UAS refers to a separate initiative focused on commercial and public-sector users outside the federal defense space. Green UAS platforms are vetted for cybersecurity and NDAA compliance but are not evaluated to the same mission-specific standards required for Blue UAS.
  • Designed for commercial, state, and local government use
  • Strong security standards, but less restrictive than Blue UAS
  • Typically broader hardware and software flexibility
  • Not specifically cleared for DoD procurement

NDAA-Compliant Drones

Level of Security: Varies, since “NDAA‑compliant” is usually self‑declared unless the drone is also Blue or Green UAS NDAA-compliant drones meet the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act, which restricts the use of certain foreign-made components and manufacturers—most notably those tied to China. While Blue and Green UAS undergo rigorous security reviews, NDAA-compliant drones only meet supply chain requirements (that is, they’re not made in certain places, like China).
  • Focuses primarily on supply-chain restrictions
  • Does not, by itself, imply federal approval or cybersecurity vetting
  • Common requirement for government-adjacent and security-conscious buyers
  • Often used as a baseline standard in the commercial market

Which One Matters Most?

The right designation depends on who you are and how the drone will be used. Federal agencies and defense contractors typically require Blue UAS. For most companies and solo pilots, commercial and public-sector organizations may find that Green UAS or NDAA-compliant platforms provide sufficient security without the added constraints of the Blue UAS program. And some may find they don’t need to worry about security very much at all, and don’t need to be concerned with any of these distinctions.

Why Are People So Interested in Blue UAS Right Now?

Interest in DJI alternatives has increased sharply over the past few years, driven by a combination of security concerns, regulatory changes, and procurement restrictions, particularly for government and security-sensitive organizations. There are two main reasons for this increase in interest:
  • Security and Supply-Chain Concerns
  • FCC Restrictions on New Foreign-Made Drones
Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. Security and Supply-Chain Concerns

DJI drones have long faced scrutiny from U.S. government agencies over potential cybersecurity and supply-chain risks. As a result, DJI platforms are restricted or prohibited for use by many federal agencies, even though they remain popular in the commercial market. For buyers operating in regulated environments—or those working with government clients—these concerns often make DJI a non-starter, regardless of performance or price. But it’s important to note that DJI has undergone several third-party audits, and no significant security risks have ever been found. Also, the U.S. government has never done its own formal audit, even though DJI asked it to do so several times.

2. FCC Restrictions on New Foreign-Made Drones

More recently, changes at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have added another layer of complexity. New rules have effectively blocked the import and authorization of all new foreign-made drone models that do not already have FCC equipment authorization. While previously approved models can still be imported, these changes have increased uncertainty around long-term availability, updates, and support for foreign-manufactured drones. blue-uas-skydio

Where Blue UAS Fits In

Blue UAS drones play a critical role for federal and defense users, but they are best viewed as part of a broader landscape of trusted drone options—rather than a one-size-fits-all replacement for DJI. Blue UAS platforms sit at the far end of the “trusted drone” spectrum. Inclusion on the Blue UAS Cleared List signals that a drone has passed rigorous security and supply-chain review and is considered suitable for federal government use. For many buyers, however, Blue UAS is not at all necessary, and may be prohibitively expensive. Commercial operators, industrial inspection teams, and public safety agencies may find that NDAA-compliant or Green UAS platforms—or, often, platforms that don’t have these designations—provide the right balance of security, capability, and flexibility.

Choosing the Right Level of Compliance

The key takeaway is that searching for a DJI alternative does not automatically mean you need a Blue UAS drone. Instead, buyers should evaluate:
  • Who the end customer is (federal, state/local, commercial)
  • Whether procurement rules apply
  • How sensitive the data being collected is
  • Long-term availability and vendor support

Blue UAS FAQ

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about blue drones.

What does Blue UAS stand for?

Blue UAS stands for “Blue Uncrewed Aerial Systems.” It refers to a Department of Defense program that identifies drone platforms approved for U.S. federal government use based on security, supply-chain trust, and operational suitability.

Who manages the Blue UAS program?

The Blue UAS program is managed by the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DIU is responsible for evaluating platforms and maintaining the Blue UAS Cleared List.

Is the Blue UAS Cleared List the same as the “Blue List”?

Yes. “Blue List,” “DIU Blue List,” and “Blue UAS Cleared List” are commonly used interchangeably to refer to the official list of Blue UAS platforms approved by DIU.

Do you have to buy a Blue UAS drone to be NDAA compliant?

No. NDAA compliance and Blue UAS approval are related but not the same. A drone can be NDAA compliant without being on the Blue UAS Cleared List. Blue UAS represents a higher level of vetting intended specifically for federal government use.

Are Blue UAS drones required for commercial or industrial use?

No. Commercial, industrial, and public safety users often rely on NDAA-compliant or Green UAS platforms rather than Blue UAS. Blue UAS is typically required only for federal government agencies or defense-related procurement.

Can a drone be removed from the Blue UAS Cleared List?

Yes. Platforms can be removed if they no longer meet cybersecurity requirements, reach end-of-life status, undergo significant unapproved changes, or fail to keep pace with evolving government standards.

Does Blue UAS approval mean a drone is made in the United States?

Not necessarily. While many Blue UAS platforms are manufactured in the U.S., some approved drones are produced by allied countries. The focus is on supply-chain trust and security—not country of origin alone.

Are Blue UAS drones a replacement for DJI?

For federal government users, Blue UAS drones often serve as approved alternatives to DJI. For commercial users, however, Blue UAS may be unnecessary, and NDAA-compliant or Green UAS platforms may be more appropriate depending on the application.

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