The Winners and Losers of the Blue sUAS List [February UPDATE]

The Blue sUAS Cleared List got a major overhaul by the end of February 2025. The number of approved vendors dropped from 15 to 10. Eight companies were cut, while three newcomers earned their place. The shift was driven by the Blue UAS Challenge, an evaluation event that tested drones for security, performance, and operational capabilities.

Some of the biggest names in enterprise drones—Parrot, Wingtra, and Inspired Flight—are off the list. At the same time, Flightwave, Hoverfly Technologies, and Zone 5 Technologies have stepped in.

What does all this mean for commercial drone users?

Why the Blue sUAS List Matters Beyond Government Use

Most drone users don’t think twice about a government-approved list. It sounds like something that only matters for military contracts and classified missions. But this still has its impact across the entire drone industry.

Blue sUAS List Explained

The Blue sUAS List is a selection of drones approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for government use. To qualify, drones must meet stringent security, legal, and performance standards, including:

The 2024 American Security Drone Act
Section 817 of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
Section 848 of the FY20 NDAA
Cybersecurity reviews and operational field tests

Managed by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), this list ensures that only the most secure and capable drones are used in sensitive government operations. Cutting out half of the brands can be looked at as a purge, though more new ones have been added.

Changes to the Blue sUAS list affect which drones government agencies can buy, which manufacturers can score big contracts, and which brands will keep investing in new technology. It also hints at future regulations that might impact commercial drone users.

This shift raises big questions. Why were some vendors removed? Will they come back? Should businesses stop using their drones? And are the new approved models actually worth considering?

The Vendors That Got Dropped – What It Means for Commercial Users

Some of vendors cut from the Blue sUAS list were household names in commercial drone use. They include:

Parrot – Known for its ANAFI USA GOV and MIL drones, popular in law enforcement and surveying.
Wingtra – Makers of the Wingtra One Gen II, widely used in precision mapping and agriculture.
Inspired Flight – Built the IF1200A and IF800, heavy-lift drones for industrial applications.
AgEagle (formerly SenseFly) – The company behind eBee TAC and eBee X, both major players in aerial mapping.
Ascent Aerosystems – Created the Spirit, a rugged coaxial drone built for harsh conditions.
Blue Halo, HoveryTech Technologies, and Vantage – Specialized in tactical and surveillance drones, now removed.

Many of these brands weren’t just selling to government buyers. Surveyors, engineers, and first responders relied on them too. Some were designed specifically for enterprise use, which makes their removal from the list a wake-up call.

Why Were They Removed?

The Blue UAS Challenge forced every vendor to prove their worth. 369 companies submitted proposals. Only 23 drone platforms and 14 components were even considered.

Most of the vendors removed never even made it to the selection stage. That alone raises questions.

So, what happened?

Cybersecurity concerns – The U.S. government is cracking down on potential security risks. If a drone’s data transmission, encryption, or firmware updates weren’t up to standard, it was out.
Shifting priorities – The new focus is on FPV, tethered drones, and resilience to electronic warfare. Drones that didn’t fit these needs were on the chopping block.
Pending re-verification – Some of these vendors could still make a comeback. The DIU hinted that more names will be added as they complete verification. But for now, they’re off the list.

If a drone company wasn’t selected, it wasn’t necessarily failing. But the fact that none of these removed vendors appeared amongst the 23 platforms that passed suggests they failed to meet the military’s latest standards.

The New Blue sUAS Drones – Are They Worth Considering for Commercial Use?

Three new names landed on the Blue sUAS list: Flightwave, Hoverfly Technologies, and Zone 5 Technologies.

Flightwave Edge 130 – A small but capable drone built for long-endurance missions.
Hoverfly Spectre – A tethered drone designed for persistent surveillance and security.
Zone 5 Paladin – A rugged tactical drone made to handle extreme conditions.

They’re built for government contracts, defense, and high-security applications. But do they make sense for commercial use?

That depends on what you need.

Let’s start with the benefits.

Security is tight. These drones meet strict cybersecurity standards that go beyond standard consumer protections. If your business handles sensitive data, that matters.
They perform better in GPS-denied environments. If you work in industrial inspections, mining, or defense contracting, this can be a key asset.
Reliability is a priority. The Blue UAS Challenge pushed these drones through military-level endurance tests. If you need a drone that won’t quit mid-flight, these might be worth a look.

But there are trade-offs.

Cost is an issue. Blue sUAS drones aren’t built for mass-market sales. Expect premium pricing.
Some features are overkill. Tethered drones like the Hoverfly Spectre make sense for government security, but most businesses don’t need a drone locked in one place.
Commercial drone software may not be compatible. If you rely on third-party apps, check before you buy.

So, should you switch?

If security is your priority, these drones could be a smart choice. But if you just need a reliable mapping or surveying drone, sticking with brands like Autel, DJI, or Teledyne FLIR might make more sense.

Does the Updated Blue sUAS List Affect You?

It depends on what you do.

If you work with government agencies, this could change everything. Many contracts require drones that meet NDAA compliance and Blue sUAS approval. If your drone is no longer on the list, you could lose bidding opportunities.

For everyone else, it’s less urgent—but not irrelevant.

If you fly drones for surveying, real estate, cinematography, or mapping, this won’t stop you from operating. But it could limit future resale value or software support if these models are phased out.

Some industries follow government security trends, even when they’re not required to. Energy, infrastructure, and defense contractors might start shifting toward Blue sUAS-approved drones, making it harder for removed brands to compete.

Regulators are paying closer attention to data security, software vulnerabilities, and GPS dependence. If your business relies on drones for mapping, inspections, or security, you might need to think ahead. Future compliance rules could push these same security standards into the commercial space.

So, should you stop using a Parrot or Wingtra drone? Not necessarily. But if you’re looking to buy a new one, you need to think about long-term viability. Some of these brands might re-enter the list. Others might struggle to adapt.

The next few months will show whether this was just a reset or a permanent shift.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Secure Commercial Drone

Cybersecurity is now a bigger deal than ever.

Drones collect, store, and transmit data. If a drone’s security isn’t airtight, your footage, flight logs, and telemetry could be vulnerable. That’s why the Blue sUAS list exists—to guarantee a certain level of safety.

But what if you don’t want a Blue sUAS drone?

There are alternatives.

The AUVSI Green UAS List is another certification program focused on enterprise and commercial security. It’s a good benchmark if you want a drone that meets high security standards but isn’t locked into military use.
Autel, Skydio, and Teledyne FLIR are strong options for businesses that need a balance of compliance and commercial usability.
DJI and Parrot still dominate the enterprise market, but their removal from the list suggests a bigger push toward security-first drone policies.

If you’re handling sensitive projects, inspections, or surveillance, you should start looking at security features before they become a requirement.

Future-Proofing Your Drone Investment

Regulations don’t move backward. Once security standards tighten, they rarely loosen up.

If you plan to keep your drone fleet relevant, you need to think ahead.

Modular drones let you upgrade parts instead of replacing the whole system. Brands like Skydio and Teledyne FLIR already offer this flexibility.
Firmware updates matter. Some brands have a better track record than others in pushing security patches. A drone without updates is a liability.
Watch for upcoming Blue sUAS changes. The list isn’t final. More brands could be added—or removed—in the next few months.

Also Read: How the DoD is Fighting Threats From Enemy Drones

The Winners and Losers of the Blue sUAS List [February UPDATE]