Inspired Flight, an innovative American drone company, makes drones like the IF1200A and IF800 Tomcat for different jobs in fields like energy, construction, and public safety.
Understanding Blue UAS and Green UAS Certifications
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) created the Blue UAS program to make sure drones are safe for Department of Defense use. These drones meet tough cybersecurity rules but miss things like Remote ID for commercial airspace. Adam Bilmes, Inspired Flight’s Senior Director of Business Development, says: “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 cater to more than just defense, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and DIU started the Green UAS program. This certification keeps high security while adding features for commercial use. Bilmes notes: “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.”
It’s interesting how technology changes to fit what people need.
Transitioning from Blue to Green: A Strategic Realignment
Earlier this year, Inspired Flight and other U.S. manufacturers were removed from the Blue UAS list during DIU’s competitive refresh. This change focused on meeting new DoD needs. Bilmes explains: “The primary evaluation was based on the quantity of units sold to DoD warfighting end-users.” Companies selling less than 5% to these users, like Inspired Flight, had their systems removed. Many similar companies chose not to update their Blue UAS status due to changing strategic needs.
For Inspired Flight, moving from Blue to Green UAS is a smart shift, not a step down. This lets their drones be more useful in the commercial world without losing security. Bilmes says: “The transition process was simple as we were being transitioned directly from the Blue to the Green List.”
Green UAS certification adds checks like corporate cyber hygiene, making it great for commercial needs and FAA rules. Bilmes explains, “Green UAS configurations align more closely with Part 107 requirements and how commercial enterprises need to operate.”
Dual Certification: Meeting Diverse Market Needs
Even though Inspired Flight sells less than 5% directly to DoD, both Blue and Green certifications help them serve military and civilian sectors. Existing DoD customers get a two-year extension for Blue UAS, and new ones can buy systems using the ETP waiver. Bilmes shares: “Existing DoD customers that purchased Inspired Flight systems as Blue UAS automatically get a two-year extension to their Blue UAS status.”
Shaping the Future of Secure Drone Technology
Looking forward, Inspired Flight sees Green UAS as key for secure drones in commercial and non-defense government areas. Bilmes predicts more buy-in from government and industry for this certification. He emphasizes AUVSI’s big role: “As the principal architect of this program, AUVSI is putting their full weight behind it.”
Inspired Flight is channeling this shift to innovate for commercial needs. Bilmes says: “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.”
Bridging Security Standards Across Markets
With global tensions rising, the need for secure, U.S.-made drones grows. Green UAS stands out by mixing defense-grade security with commercial usability, paving the way for companies like Inspired Flight to lead in secure drone tech. 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.”
