Government-aligned UAS for public agencies
NDAA-Compliant & Blue UAS Drones
What NDAA compliance, the Blue UAS Cleared List and Green UAS certification mean for your procurement, and which cleared drones we carry today.
Advexure is a UAS dealer and program integrator with 14+ years in the industry, trusted by hundreds of agencies across the country.
Understanding the differences
NDAA, Blue UAS and Green UAS
Three frameworks shape how agencies buy secure small UAS. They overlap, but they aren't the same thing.
NDAA-Compliant
Rooted in FY2020 NDAA Section 848, which bars the DoD from buying or operating drones made in, or built with critical components from, the People's Republic of China.
The FY2024 NDAA (American Security Drone Act) extended similar limits across the federal government.
Blue UAS
The Blue UAS Cleared List names drones that meet current law and policy and have been validated for cybersecurity, so DoD buyers can purchase and fly them without routine exception-to-policy requests.
Being Blue doesn't grant a blanket Authority to Operate across every DoD component.
Green UAS
Managed by AUVSI, Green UAS is a cybersecurity and supply-chain certification aligned to the Blue UAS standard, built for public safety, state and local agencies, higher ed and commercial operators.
It doesn't clear a drone for DoD use on its own, but it's a recognized pathway toward the Blue UAS Framework.
Verified against the official list
Blue UAS Cleared Drones We Carry
These platforms appear on the Blue UAS Cleared List, plus NDAA-compliant options for agencies that don't need Blue.
Parrot ANAFI UKR GOV
Parrot's newest government platform. Up to 70 minutes of flight, 5G cellular or Wi-Fi links, and airborne in under 2 minutes from the case.
Parrot ANAFI USA GOV
A compact, lightweight thermal and zoom quad that deploys in about a minute. Easy to carry on every shift.
Red Cat Black Widow SRR
A small, rugged tactical quad built for short-range reconnaissance, from the U.S. Army's SRR program.
Inspired Flight IF800 TOMCAT
A U.S.-made, foldable medium-lift quad. Up to 54 minutes of flight with a 1.5 kg payload and dual hot-swap batteries.
Inspired Flight IF1200
A U.S.-made heavy-lift hexacopter for demanding payloads. Up to 43 minutes of flight and up to 19 lbs of payload.
Wingtra WingtraRAY
A fixed-wing VTOL mapping platform with survey-grade payloads, up to 61 MP RGB, LiDAR and multispectral, and 3 cm RMS PPK accuracy.
Freefly Astro Max
Made in the USA, with RTK, LTE cloud connectivity and an open payload mount for a 61 MP Sony camera, LiDAR or thermal. Selected in DIU's February 2025 Blue UAS refresh.
Freefly Alta X Gen2
An industrial heavy-lifter that carries up to 35 lbs. The Alta X Blue Package has been on the Blue UAS Cleared List since August 2022; ask us about that configuration.
ACSL SOTEN
A compact Japanese-built quad with one-touch swappable cameras (standard, thermal, zoom, multispectral), IP43 rating and ISO 15408-based security.
Statuses checked against the official Blue UAS Cleared List on November 12, 2026. The list changes often, so confirm a platform's status there before you buy.
Side by side
Compliant Drones at a Glance
| Platform | Type | Status | Added to Blue UAS list | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parrot ANAFI UKR GOV | Compact quad | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | Apr 9, 2025 | Patrol, tactical, SAR |
| Parrot ANAFI USA GOV | Compact quad | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | Aug 25, 2022 | Lightweight thermal |
| Red Cat Black Widow SRR | Small tactical quad | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | Apr 7, 2026 | Short-range recon |
| Inspired Flight IF800 | Medium-lift quad | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | Jan 19, 2024 | Inspection, mapping |
| Inspired Flight IF1200 | Heavy-lift hexacopter | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | Jan 19, 2024 | Heavy sensors, LiDAR |
| Wingtra WingtraRAY | Fixed-wing VTOL | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | Feb 19, 2026 | Large-area mapping |
| Freefly Astro Max | Mid-size multirotor | Blue UAS cleared, NDAA compliant | DIU refresh, Feb 2025 | Mapping, LiDAR, inspection |
| Freefly Alta X | Heavy-lift multirotor | NDAA compliant (Blue Package listed separately) | Aug 18, 2022 | Heavy payloads |
| ACSL SOTEN | Compact quad | NDAA compliant | Not listed | Inspection, survey, thermal |
What the law actually covers
NDAA Section 848 Critical Components
FY2020 NDAA Section 848 defines the covered foreign country as the People's Republic of China and lists the drone components that must not come from it.
Flight controllers
The autopilot hardware that keeps the aircraft flying.
Radios and data links
Radios and data transmission devices between aircraft and controller.
Cameras and gimbals
Imaging sensors and the gimbals that stabilize them.
Ground control and software
Ground control systems and operating software.
Network connectivity
Components that connect the system to networks.
Data storage
Where flight data and imagery are stored.
What about payloads like LiDAR?
Whether a payload sensor counts depends on its components and on how your agency reads the requirement. Ask the manufacturer for its NDAA compliance letter, and check it against your procurement or grant terms.
The American Security Drone Act is now in effect
The FY2024 NDAA (American Security Drone Act) bars federal agencies from buying drones from covered foreign entities. Since December 22, 2025, federal agencies may no longer operate them, and federal funds, including those passed through contractors and grantees, may not be used to buy them.
State and local agencies should also check their own state's rules and any grant conditions.
How Blue UAS works
From Framework to Cleared List
Framework
Components and software vetted for use in Blue UAS platforms.
Assessment
Recognized third-party assessors review platforms through the Blue Portal.
Cleared List
Platforms that pass are added to the Cleared List, which updates on a rolling basis.
Green UAS path
Green UAS certification is a recognized route for platforms working toward Blue.
Streamline your procurement
Buy Through Sourcewell
Our Sourcewell cooperative contract gives public safety, government and non-profit buyers a competitively bid, fully compliant way to purchase, without running their own bid.
Sourcewell Contract Details
"There are plenty of companies trying to up-sell you on the next big thing, especially when they find out you work for a government agency. When we met the guys from Advexure, we knew we finally had the right support and dedication to match our department's needs. Advexure has proven to be professional, responsive, flexible and honest."
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Read the guide →Common questions
NDAA, Blue UAS and Green UAS FAQ
What does it mean for a drone to be NDAA-compliant?
An NDAA-compliant drone avoids the manufacturers and critical components restricted by FY2020 NDAA Section 848: flight controllers, radios and data links, cameras and gimbals, ground control systems and software, network connectivity and data storage sourced from the People's Republic of China.
What is the Blue UAS Cleared List?
It's the official list of drones that meet current law and policy and have been validated for cybersecurity, so DoD buyers can purchase and operate them without routine exception-to-policy requests. See the official list for current entries.
How is Green UAS different from Blue UAS?
Green UAS is AUVSI's certification for non-DoD and dual-use customers such as public safety, state and local agencies. It's aligned to the Blue UAS standard but doesn't clear a drone for DoD use by itself. It is a recognized pathway toward Blue.
Do state and local agencies have to buy Blue UAS drones?
Not by federal law in most cases. Blue UAS is built around DoD purchasing. State and local agencies follow their own state's rules, and federal grants or funds can bring the American Security Drone Act's restrictions into play.
What is the American Security Drone Act?
Part of the FY2024 NDAA, it bars federal agencies from buying drones from covered foreign entities. Since December 22, 2025, it also bars federal operation of those drones and the use of federal funds, including through contractors and grantees, to buy them.
Is NDAA-compliant the same as Made in USA?
No. NDAA compliance is about avoiding restricted sources for critical components. A drone can be NDAA-compliant and built elsewhere, such as the Japanese-built ACSL SOTEN or France-based Parrot's ANAFI line.
Do payloads and accessories need to be NDAA-compliant?
Cameras and gimbals are named critical components, so camera payloads matter. For other payloads and accessories, ask the manufacturer for an NDAA compliance letter and check it against your procurement or grant terms.
Are DJI drones NDAA-compliant?
No. DJI drones aren't NDAA-compliant. They remain a strong choice for agencies and businesses without NDAA or Blue UAS requirements, and FCC-certified DJI aircraft remain legal to sell and fly.
How can I tell if a drone is on the Blue UAS list?
Check the official Blue UAS Cleared List, which shows each platform and the date it was added. Our table above lists the dates for the drones we carry.
Can I buy these drones through a cooperative contract?
Yes. Advexure holds a Sourcewell cooperative contract, so eligible public agencies can buy without running their own bid. See our procurement contracts page or request a quote.
Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Blue UAS statuses reflect the official list as of November 12, 2026.