Blue Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Procurement and Training

1. Purpose.  This MARADMIN was developed to align Service 
policy with reference (a) and the Under Secretary of 
Defense (USD) who has authorized the procurement and 
operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) 
identified on the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS 
Cleared List. A digital Blue UAS Handbook is being created
and released by DC CD&I in conjunction with this message 
and will provide guidance for purchasing and using these 
systems as well as training Marines to operate them. The 
handbook can be found on the Intelligent Robotics and 
Autonomous Systems (IRAS) SharePoint at https:(slash)
(slash)usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/DCCDI/SitePages/
DistroD/Intelligent-Robotics-and-Autonomous-Systems.aspx. 
This MARADMIN provides interim guidance for training 
Marines on these particular platforms until appropriate 
orders and references can be updated and new courses 
created.\
2. Guidance.  This MARADMIN provides Service guidance on 
procurement and operation of Blue UAS, Blue UAS core 
skills introduction, and SUAS-Evaluator training for 
7316s. 
2.a. Blue UAS.
2.a.1. SUAS on the DIU Blue UAS cleared list do not 
require a Department of Defense (DoD) Exception to Policy 
(ETP) as defined by reference (a).
2.a.2. Systems on the DIU Blue UAS Cleared List (https:
(slash)(slash)www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list) have gone
through the DIU approval process. For this message, end 
user refers to either the unit purchasing the Blue UAS or 
the Marine operating the system. In order for DIU approval
to be applicable, the following conditions must be met:
2.a.2.a.  The end user shall operate the UAS only after 
gaining reciprocity on the DIU Authority to Operate (ATO).
ATO reciprocity is the responsibility of the end user and 
shall be accomplished using the procedure outlined in the 
Blue UAS Handbook, managed by DC CD&I. Unit UAS Program 
Managers (PMs) can coordinate through the POCs listed on 
this MARADMIN for current Marine Corps ATOs.
2.a.2.b.  The end user's command understands and accepts 
the risks associated with operating a UAS as described in 
the ATO and associated security guidance. This may include
disconnected/non-networked operations according to the 
ATO. Additional network connections may require updates to
an existing ATO or initiation of a new Risk Mitigation 
Framework package.
2.a.2.c.  The end user must register with DIU on the 
CAC-enabled site (https:(slash)(slash)blueuas.diu.mil) by 
selecting Register Your Blue UAS Platform and ensure that 
their contact information is kept current via the DIU 
website to ensure they receive applicable system and 
security notifications.
2.a.2.d.  The end user shall ensure that UAS software 
versions and hardware part numbers match the data 
identified on the DIU Blue UAS Cleared list and that no 
software or hardware modifications have been made to the 
UAS that would violate the ATO.
2.a.2.e.  The UAS shall not include any payload that would
interface with UAS critical components as defined by 
reference (h) unless it is part of the baseline 
configuration identified in the applicable ATO.
2.a.2.f.  The end user shall not integrate any payloads 
not covered by the applicable ATO, or that would be 
considered a critical component as defined by reference 
(h) that originates from a National Defense Authorization 
Act (NDAA) covered foreign country. Units should contact 
their S-6/G-6, ISSM, EMSO, and Security Manager for 
guidance and obtain permission for any payload that 
electronically emits. 
3.a.2.g.  The end user shall adhere to all applicable 
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Service, and 
federal regulations, policies, and agreements (e.g. 
airspace access, airworthiness, training, medical, 
oversight requirements, etc.).
2.a.2.h.  The end user must receive Information Technology
Procurement Review and Approval System (ITPRAS) approval 
prior to purchase.  Additional instructions are contained 
in the digital Blue UAS Handbook per paragraph 1.
2.a.3. Units are authorized to procure and/or operate any 
Group 1 UAS on the DIU Blue UAS cleared list. Group 2 
systems are only authorized from the DIU Blue UAS cleared 
list if they are operated solely in a fixed tether mode, 
or if the unit has PMOS 7316 Marines assigned to them. 
Group 3 or larger systems from the DIU Blue UAS cleared 
list are not authorized for procurement. 
2.a.4.  DIU Blue UAS systems are only authorized to be 
operated by Marines in accordance with references (b), 
(c), (d), (e), and (i).
2.a.4.a. Reference (i) can be found on the IRAS SharePoint
at https:(slash)(slash)usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/DCCDI/
SitePages/DistroD/Intelligent-Robotics-and-Autonomous-
Systems.aspx. If a system is not listed on reference (i) 
users should contact the POCs above. 
2.a.5.  Marine Corps Installation Ranges and Training 
Areas. Blue UAS systems are DOD approved systems, and 
their operators must have appropriate Service authorized 
training in order to operate Blue UAS systems on Marine 
Corps Installation Ranges and Training Areas. These 
systems are in compliance with the requirements of 
reference (f), specifically sections 3.a, 3.c, and 3.g. 
These systems shall be regarded as program of record (POR)
systems for range and training area scheduling. 
2.a.6.  Blue UAS systems are not Program of Record SUAS 
and there is no support from the SUAS Program Office 
(PMA-263).  Each unit is responsible for all 
administrative, training, maintenance, and safety 
requirements, as well as any additional financial or 
personnel requirements.
2.a.7.  Blue UAS systems and operations must adhere to the
safety standards and mishap reporting requirements 
established by the unit's ground safety program in 
accordance with reference (g).
2.b.  Blue UAS CORE Skill Introduction.
2.b.1.  Blue UAS Group 1 Operators are not required to 
train at a formal learning center, such as Training and 
Logistic Support Activity (TALSA) or 7316 SUAS 
Schoolhouse. To qualify as a Blue UAS Group 1 Operator, 
Marines must first complete the computer-based Basic 
Unmanned Qualification (BUQ) course, available at 
https:(slash)(slash)suasman.josce.mil. After completing 
this course, they will undergo Initial Qualification 
Training (IQT) for the specific Type/Model/Series (T/M/S) 
UAS, which is provided by the T/M/S manufacturer. The 
training curriculum must be approved by the unit's 
Aircraft Reporting Custodian (ARC), and the procurement of
Blue UAS must be approved by the unit Commander.
2.b.2.  Reference (b) will be updated to include Non-POR 
(NPOR) training events. This update will incorporate an 
IQT instructor training phase, which will be conducted by 
the local TALSA. This training will enable qualified and 
designated Marines to return to their units and conduct 
in-house training for SUAS approved by the DIU Blue list. 
Until these updates to reference (b) are officially 
published, Marines are only authorized to receive vendor 
training that has been approved by their ARC.
3.  7316 SUAS Operator.
3.a.  Marines holding the PMOS 7316, and that meet the 
prerequisites, are able to attend a SUAS Evaluator 
(SUAS-E) course at one of the four Training and Logistic 
Support Activity (TALSA) locations until reference (b) is 
updated and a Training and Education Command (TECOM) 
approved course is established. Upon completion of the 
SUAS-E course the Marine will be qualified as a Primary 
SUAS-Evaluator for the purposes of conducting 2000 level 
currency, refresher, and annual evaluation training.
4.  Admin and Logistics.
4.a. Requests to waive any portion of this MARADMIN may be
submitted electronically to the PP&O POCs listed above.
5.  Command and Signal.
5.a.  Command.  Applicable to the total force.
5.b.  Signal. This message is effective on the date 
signed.
6.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General J. W. 
Bierman, Deputy Commandant, Plans Policies, and 
Operations.