The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is delivering cybersecurity to the skies through a new program to increase the number of commercial Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).
Accordingly, AUVSI’s Green UAS program effectively expands the number of commercial UAS that have meet the highest levels of cybersecurity and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) supply chain requirements.
The Evolution of Drone Security
Green UAS mirrors the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)’s Blue UAS certification program, but it is designed for customers who do not immediately require U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) authority to operate, AUVSI said in a prepared statement. Green UAS also offers a more streamlined pathway to the Blue UAS 2.0 cleared list.
Green UAS is the “next evolution of drone security certification” for customers who are increasingly relying on commercial, off-the-shelf drones to conduct diverse operations, AUVSI said.
These users include:
- Federal government agencies
- Local law enforcement
- First responders
- State departments of transportation
- Industrial enterprise users, including:
- energy and utilities
- telecoms
- manufacturing
- food and agriculture
- logistics and mapping/surveying companies
Strengthening the Domestic Drone Industry
DIU’s Blue UAS has successfully created a pathway for the DoD to purchase compliant commercial drone technology that meets the requirements the U.S. Congress set forth in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, the program does not have the funding or mandate to meet growing demand for non-DoD customers in government, civil and commercial sectors, AUVSI noted.
As David Michelson, DIU program manager for Blue UAS, explained:
“Strengthening the domestic drone industry is critical in providing options for government agencies to get the trusted UAS they need to meet their mission — and industry organizations are well-suited to help the government meet the need for a rapid, scalable solution. We look forward to reviewing AUVSI’s certifications when drone companies that are Green UAS certified have a DoD sponsor that wants them to convert to Blue UAS certification.”
More About Green UAS, AIVSI
Green UAS is the first product of AUVSI’s broader Trusted Cyber Program, which AUVSI launched in August 2022 with collaboration from Fortress Information Security. Going forward, AUVSI will work with a network of cybersecurity firms to rapidly vet drones that are seeking Green UAS certification.
Commenting on the Green UAS program, Michael Robbins, chief advocacy officer at AUVSI, said:
“AUVSI’s Green UAS is a solution to existing cybersecurity and supply chain verification challenges and will serve the UAS community, end-users and federal partners. This falls squarely in line with our mission to help drive a safe and secure UAS market demand and provide a more competitive marketplace for all.”
AUVSI describes itself as the “world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems, autonomy and robotics.” The organization represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets.
