NDAA compliance refers to meeting the requirements of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), specifically Section 848 of the FY20 NDAA and its updates through FY25. It prohibits federal agencies from purchasing or operating drones and components made by certain foreign entities, primarily to reduce security risks. NDAA-compliant drones use only approved hardware and software from trusted sources.

Compliance is self-certified by manufacturers, so buyers should verify claims when security is a priority.

Being Blue UAS Listed means a drone system or component has been vetted through the U.S. DoD Defense Innovation Unit's Blue UAS program. These drones and components meet strict cybersecurity, supply chain, and performance standards and are approved for use by federal agencies without further approvals. It ensures a high level of trust and readiness for government operations.

Green UAS is a certification program for drones that are not part of the Blue UAS list but still meet similar cybersecurity, supply chain, and operational standards. Managed by AUVSI (Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International), it provides a pathway for commercial drone manufacturers to demonstrate compliance and be eligible for government or critical infrastructure use.