NDAA & Blue UAS
Two labels, one question: what can your agency fly? We’ll help you check, and carry options either way.
Ask which appliesFirst Responder Owned · Veteran Led
Video: courtesy of ACSLKnow the difference.
All Blue UAS drones are NDAA-compliant. Not all NDAA-compliant drones are Blue UAS.
| NDAA-compliant | Blue UAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | State and local government, public safety, commercial, federal contractors | Department of Defense and military operations |
| Requirements | No components from foreign adversary countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea) | NDAA, plus rigorous cybersecurity and offline capability |
| Vetting | Self-certification (supply chain verification) | Department of Defense assessment and Authority to Operate |
What does NDAA-compliant mean?
The aircraft and its key components don’t come from manufacturers in foreign adversary countries. Manufacturers self-certify their supply chain.
What is Blue UAS?
A Department of Defense program that vets drones for cybersecurity and supply chain. The Blue UAS Cleared List moved from the Defense Innovation Unit to the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) in December 2025. See the official list.
Which one applies to my agency?
Blue UAS rules apply to Department of Defense purchases. Police, fire and EMS usually need NDAA-compliant aircraft, not Blue UAS. Your state, agency policy and any grant can change that, so check before you budget.
What about DJI?
DJI aircraft are not NDAA-compliant and are not on the Blue UAS list. Whether your agency can buy or fly DJI depends on your funding source and your state and local rules, so check both first. We sell and support DJI and NDAA-compliant aircraft, and can help you compare. This isn’t legal advice.
Aircraft we sell and support.
Sold, trained and repaired in Akron.
ACSL SOTEN
Inspired Flight IF1200
Inspired Flight IF800
Vantage Robotics Vesper
Vantage Robotics Trace
WingtraRAY
Status as stated by each manufacturer. Ask us to check the current list for your purchase. Photos courtesy of ACSL and Wingtra.
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Already flying DJI?
We keep repairing and supporting the DJI aircraft agencies already fly, on our own bench in Akron.
Start a repairFly it before you buy it.
On-site demos in Ohio and neighboring states at no charge, or at our Akron shop.
- On-site demos in Ohio and neighboring states, at no charge
- Demos at our shop in Akron
- Delivery and hands-on training with every purchase
- Further away? Tell us where; we often travel.
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First Responder Owned · Veteran Led
Buying on a PO? Send POs and tax-exempt certificates to AR@ohiodronerepair.com