Department of Defense (DoD) Unmanned System Common Development

The Department of Defense's Unmanned Systems Common Development program, overseen by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is designed to enhance unmanned systems capabilities across all military branches. The program emphasizes developing common technologies and standards to improve the operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within U.S. national airspace and expeditionary settings. Its main objectives are to ensure these systems are safe, secure, resilient, and interoperable. Furthermore, it aims to integrate unmanned systems into both military and civilian environments by establishing coordination, agreements, guidance, and standards.

The Unmanned Systems Development project supports the Department's efforts to procure commercially developed unmanned systems while ensuring their cybersecurity. This involves identifying and addressing cyber vulnerabilities and developing cybersecurity concepts to mitigate potential threats. The project also focuses on updating the Department's unmanned systems integrated roadmap and validating autonomous safety principles. Efforts include enhancing cybersecurity measures and communication links for unmanned systems and developing safety standards that incorporate artificial intelligence.

The Unmanned Systems Integration project is committed to ensuring the safe and effective integration of UAS within civil and expeditionary airspace. This includes developing prototype systems and concepts in line with current UAS integration and security-related documents. The project collaborates with federal partners like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to shape airspace access technologies such as Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and UAS Traffic Management (UTM). It also conducts live flight demonstrations to evaluate system interoperability and refine concepts.

The Unmanned Systems Integration Support project focuses on establishing coordination mechanisms that enable DoD operations in both military and civilian environments. This includes supporting interagency efforts led by the UAS Executive Committee to facilitate routine UAS access to airspace. The project also backs various DoD objectives related to unmanned systems' roadmaps, concepts, standards, procedures, and policies. Through these initiatives, the program aims to advance critical warfighting capabilities while supporting industrial base development for future small UAS military needs.