{"id":83827,"date":"2022-05-30T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=83827"},"modified":"2023-06-22T14:29:39","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T18:29:39","slug":"blue-suas-drone-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/blue-suas-drone-list\/","title":{"rendered":"The Blue sUAS List: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The sound \u2014 that buzzing \u2014 over your head is instantly recognizable these days\u2014a drone being flown by a photographer or as part of a first response rescue mission. Just like civilians have been getting their hands on fancy drones, so have agencies. From police departments and fire and rescue departments<\/a> to the Department of Defense, agencies nationwide are adding this gadget to their arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety issues concern many as drone makers nor the government doesn’t keep detailed crash drone data<\/a>. There’s no mandated safety testing or criteria beyond the <\/a>FAA’s broad airworthiness certification<\/a> (although quickly changing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety is one of the primary issues that remains a hot topic in the drone industry. In addition to safety, security has quickly risen to the top as tensions rise between international governments. Concerns over data safety \u2014 specifically around products manufactured in China \u2014 are paramount for agencies in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drones have been subject to U.S. government restrictions, including purchasing components from manufacturers. Additionally, certain products have grown in popularity with police departments, public safety, and government operators.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Image via Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is the Blue sUAS List?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In August 2020, the U.S Department of Defense published the Blue sUAS list of approved drone suppliers to ease security concerns and help government agencies buy federally approved drones. Finally, four American companies and one French were among the approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysts estimate that DJI drone products control at least 90% of the North American drone market. As security concerns grew in 2020<\/a> over the Chinese-manufactured drones, the U.S. government moved to effectively restrict what small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) its federal agencies could purchase in August 2020. The list excluded the world’s largest manufacturer, DJI. The approved Blue sUAS list includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n