COTS sUAS ban

[Tonka]

Meh, most of us don't care... but this is a big deal for many parts of the military, especially for some of the ground pounders that have come to rely on these systems...

https://dronedj.com/2018/06/07/department-of-defense-bans-the-purchase-of-commercial-over-the-shelf-uas-including-dji-drones/

Department of Defense bans the purchase of commercial-over-the-shelf UAS, including DJI drones effective immediately

“SUBJECT: (U/FOUO) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

(U/FOUO) On May 14, 2018 the DoD Inspector General found that DoD has not implemented an adequate process to access cybersecurity risks associated with using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

(U/FOUO) Effectively immediately, you must suspend purchases of COTS UAS for operational use until the DoD develops a strategy to adequately assess and mitigate the risks associated with their use.

(U/FOUO) In addition you must suspend the use of COTS UASs until the DoD identifies and fields a solution to mitigate known cybersecurity risks.

(U/FOUO) I hold approval authority for any requests for exemptions, on a case by case basis, to support urgent needs.

(U/FOUO) The points of contact for this matter are Ms Ellen M, Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Mr, Dana Deasy, Department of Defense Chiefs Information Officer.”

 

and the ARMY led the way, banning them last year:

http://soldiersystems.net/2017/08/05/army-bans-use-of-a-cots-uas-system/

 ... So, how long until we "develop a strategy"?

[Majestik Møøse]

Seven years and a $100m study. Then you can purchase a mil-spec DJI Phantom from an NG shell company.

[Tonka]

44 minutes ago, Majestik Møøse said:

Seven years and a $100m study. Then you can purchase a mil-spec DJI Phantom from an NG shell company.

You might be a little low on the cost estimate... interesting that the problem was with foreign products, but we took the draconian approach to all of them.