{"product_id":"freefly-astro-max-ndaa-compliant-blue-uas-version","title":"Freefly Astro Max NDAA Compliant Blue UAS Version","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Freefly Astro Max NDAA is the Blue UAS Cleared, NDAA Section 848 compliant configuration of Freefly's flagship commercial drone, designed and assembled in Woodinville, Washington. Built for federal agencies, state and local government, public safety, utilities, and critical infrastructure operators who require a trusted supply chain, this version ships with a Doodle Labs Helix mesh radio in place of the standard Herelink link and pairs the Pilot Pro controller with AuterionOS, Skynode LTE connectivity, and RTK positioning. The Smart Dovetail payload system carries up to 3 kg of compliant sensors, so the same airframe moves cleanly from high-resolution mapping to thermal inspection, LiDAR, gas detection, and radiometric work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlue UAS Cleared. NDAA Section 848 compliant. Ready for federal, SLED, and critical infrastructure missions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBlue UAS Cleared and NDAA Section 848 compliant: approved for procurement by DoD, federal agencies, and programs that follow the Blue UAS Framework\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDesigned, built, and supported in Woodinville, WA with a trusted, auditable US and allied supply chain\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDoodle Labs Helix secure mesh radio replaces the Herelink link used on the standard Astro Max, providing AES-encrypted C2 on compliant hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSkynode mission computer running AuterionOS with LTE cloud connectivity, Auterion Mission Control integration, and fleet-wide telemetry in Auterion Suite\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e61 MP Sony LR1 primary payload option with user-selectable 24 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm lenses and optional thermal or laser rangefinder modules\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSmart Dovetail quick-release payload interface with Pixhawk Payload Bus compatibility: swap sensors in seconds without tools\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBroad Blue\/NDAA payload ecosystem including Freefly Flux LiDAR (L1, O1, H1), Sentera 65R, Sentera 6X Multispectral and Thermal, Workswell WIRIS Pro, NextVision DragonEye2, and the Sierra-Olympia Ventus OGI gas imager\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e28-minute flight time with the LR1 mapping payload: over 220 acres at 2 cm GSD in a single flight\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e21-inch folding props on a compact 14-inch airframe for long endurance, low acoustic signature, and precise station keeping\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eu-blox F9P RTK GPS with 20+ satellite lock for centimeter-accurate positioning when paired with a Freefly RTK base station\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSuperLight SL8 21700 lithium-ion batteries with OLED status screen, USB-C PD output, hot-swappable field operation, and an industry-leading 500-cycle guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePilot Pro ground control with 6+ hour runtime, Hall-effect gimbals, velocity clamps for fine-grained speed control, and dual safety kill switches\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePacks into two hard cases for rapid deployment by field crews and first responders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompliance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNDAA Section 848\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompliant: free of covered foreign components per FY2020 NDAA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue UAS Framework\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOn the DIU Blue UAS Cleared List\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCountry of origin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesigned and assembled in Woodinville, WA, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRadio\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoodle Labs Helix secure mesh (NDAA compliant), replacing Herelink on this SKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemote ID\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFAA Standard Remote ID pre-installed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eData security\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAES-encrypted C2 link, signed firmware, Auterion Suite enterprise fleet management\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEligible buyers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoD, federal civilian agencies, state and local government, public safety, utilities, Part 89 \/ 107 commercial operators\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eValue\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConfiguration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQuadcopter, folding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAirframe size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e14 in (356 mm) square\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePropellers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e21 in (533 mm) folding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax payload\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 kg (6.6 lb)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax flight time (with LR1)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28 minutes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax flight time (no payload)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 43 minutes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage (LR1 mapping)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e220+ acres at 2 cm GSD per flight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePositioning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eu-blox F9P RTK GPS, IMU, barometer, compass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMission computer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuterion Skynode with AuterionOS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCloud connectivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLTE modem, Auterion Mission Control, Auterion Suite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRadio and control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary datalink\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDoodle Labs Helix secure mesh (NDAA compliant)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eController\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreefly Pilot Pro\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eController runtime\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6+ hours\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemote ID\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard Remote ID, FAA compliant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary imaging (LR1)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSensor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSony full-frame 61 MP\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLens options\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptional modules\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThermal (640 px radiometric, \u0026lt;40 mK), laser rangefinder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeotagging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRTK-corrected image geotags\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePayload interface\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmart Dovetail quick-release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePixhawk Payload Bus: power, MAVLink, Ethernet, serial, hardpoints\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatible payloads\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreefly LR1 and LR1 Thermal, Flux L1 \/ O1 \/ H1 LiDAR, Sony Alpha 7R IV, Sentera 65R, Sentera 6X Multispectral \/ Thermal \/ Thermal Pro, Workswell WIRIS Pro, NextVision DragonEye2, Sierra-Olympia Ventus OGI, Emesent Hovermap ST \/ ST-X, and more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBattery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreefly SuperLight SL8, 21700 Li-ion round cell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBattery features\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOLED status display, USB-C PD output, CAN telemetry, hot-swap capable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGuaranteed cycles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e500\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle-battery flight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes: continues flight on one pack in the event of an in-flight pack failure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuild and origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesign and assembly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWoodinville, Washington, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompliance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNDAA Section 848, Blue UAS Cleared\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMission-ready payload options\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMapping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sony LR1 (61 MP) for high-resolution orthomosaics, 3D models, and inspection stills. 28-minute flights, 220+ acres at 2 cm GSD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThermal.\u003c\/strong\u003e LR1 + Thermal upgrade pairs the 61 MP RGB sensor with a 640 px radiometric thermal camera for substation inspection, wildfire response, and search and rescue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiDAR.\u003c\/strong\u003e Freefly Flux L1 \/ O1 \/ H1 or Emesent Hovermap ST-X for mapping, powerline inspection, and GPS-denied autonomy with live point cloud on Pilot Pro.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultispectral.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sentera 6X and 65R for precision agriculture, vegetation management, and environmental monitoring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecialty.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sierra-Olympia Ventus OGI for optical gas imaging, SPH Laser Falcon G2 for methane detection, Arktis FPG for airborne radiation detection, and Sixarms RF Analyzer for spectrum work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFederal agencies and DoD units required to purchase from the Blue UAS Cleared List\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eState, local, and tribal public safety agencies operating under grant programs with NDAA compliance requirements\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eUtilities and critical infrastructure operators conducting vegetation management, substation inspection, and asset surveys\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMapping, survey, and inspection service providers contracted by government customers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEmergency response teams needing a rapid-deploy platform for wildfire, SAR, and disaster assessment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Freefly Astro Max aircraft (NDAA configuration, Doodle Labs Helix radio pre-installed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Freefly Pilot Pro controller\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2 × SuperLight SL8 smart batteries\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × SL8 multi-bay charger\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Smart Dovetail mount (payload sold separately unless ordered as a kit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Set of spare 21-inch folding propellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Hard transport case for aircraft\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1 × Hard transport case for controller and accessories\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePrinted quick-start and regulatory documentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eHow is this different from the standard Astro Max listing?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eSame airframe, same flight performance, same Smart Dovetail payload ecosystem. The NDAA configuration replaces the Herelink 2.4 GHz radio with a Doodle Labs Helix secure mesh radio, is built from a vetted supply chain that meets NDAA Section 848, and is listed on the Defense Innovation Unit's Blue UAS Cleared List. If you are buying with federal funds or under a procurement policy that requires Blue UAS or NDAA compliance, this is the version you want.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat does NDAA Section 848 compliant mean?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eSection 848 of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act prohibits federal departments and agencies from procuring or operating drones and components from certain covered foreign entities. NDAA compliant drones are built without those covered components. The Astro Max NDAA meets this requirement and is cleared for federal procurement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat is Blue UAS, and is this drone on the Cleared List?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBlue UAS is a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) program that vets and approves small drones for DoD and federal use. The Blue UAS Cleared List is the shortlist of aircraft that meet DoD cybersecurity and supply chain requirements. Yes, the Astro is on the Blue UAS Cleared List.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eCan I use the same payloads as the standard Astro Max?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eMechanically, yes: all Smart Dovetail payloads fit either version. If you need the complete aircraft plus payload stack to remain NDAA and Blue UAS compliant, select a payload that is itself on the Blue UAS Framework or explicitly marked NDAA compliant. We can help match payloads to your procurement requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat is the flight time with a payload installed?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eApproximately 28 minutes with the Sony LR1 mapping payload, about 25 minutes with the LR1 + Thermal configuration, and roughly 20 minutes with heavier LiDAR payloads like the Emesent Hovermap. Unloaded endurance is up to 43 minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eDo you offer training and support for the NDAA version?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eYes. Training, onboarding, and ongoing support are identical to the standard Astro Max. We offer in-person and remote training for pilots, fleet managers, and data teams. Spare parts are stocked and ship same or next business day, and Freefly's US-based engineering and support teams back the aircraft directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eDo I need a license to fly this drone?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eIn the United States, commercial operation requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Federal, state, and local agencies may operate under Part 89 \/ public aircraft rules depending on the mission. The aircraft ships with Standard Remote ID pre-installed to meet FAA Part 89 broadcast requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003eWhat is the warranty period?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Astro Max ships with Freefly's standard manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. SL8 batteries are guaranteed for 500 cycles. Contact us for current extended care and service plan options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing is the NDAA \/ Blue UAS Cleared configuration of the Freefly Astro Max. If you do not have a procurement requirement for NDAA or Blue UAS compliance, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/freefly-astro-max\"\u003estandard Freefly Astro Max\u003c\/a\u003e is typically the better value. Payloads sold separately unless ordered as a kit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freefly","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51627814715709,"sku":null,"price":28995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0834\/1631\/8269\/files\/astro-max-with-pilot-pro-angled-view.webp?v=1776956731","url":"https:\/\/www.terrestrialimaging.com\/products\/freefly-astro-max-ndaa-compliant-blue-uas-version","provider":"Terrestrial Imaging","version":"1.0","type":"link"}