ZenaTech Drones Advance in Pentagon’s Elite Blue UAS Security Program

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – May 19, 2026 – Technology provider ZenaTech, Inc. has announced a significant milestone in its push into the U.S. defense sector, with three of its autonomous drone platforms advancing to the critical cybersecurity phase of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Blue UAS certification pathway. The move positions the company’s ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square, and IQ Nano drones one step closer to being placed on the government's exclusive procurement list, opening the door to direct sales to military agencies and federal departments.

This progression marks a pivotal moment for ZenaTech, validating its technology against some of the nation's most stringent security standards. For a drone manufacturer, achieving Blue UAS status is the gold standard, signifying that a platform is not only compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) but is also deemed secure enough for sensitive government and military operations. The company’s platforms are now undergoing rigorous third-party penetration testing to assess their resilience against sophisticated cyber threats.

America's Secure Drone Shield

The Blue UAS program, managed by the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), was established to create a robust roster of vetted, secure, and U.S.-compliant commercial drone technology for government use. This initiative is a direct response to growing cybersecurity and supply chain concerns linked to foreign-made systems, particularly those from restricted countries like China. By creating a “cleared list” of approved drones, the DoD aims to streamline procurement and ensure that the technology deployed by warfighters and federal agents is free from security vulnerabilities.

Achieving a spot on this list eliminates significant administrative hurdles for military units wanting to acquire new drone technology, as it provides a pre-approved Authority to Operate (ATO) across the DoD. This makes Blue UAS-certified companies highly attractive partners for defense agencies seeking to rapidly field new capabilities. ZenaTech is now vying to join an elite group of approved manufacturers that includes established defense tech players like Anduril, Skydio, and Teal Drones, all of whom have platforms on the Blue UAS Cleared List.

“Blue UAS certification unlocks direct access to the U.S. defense agency market, a high-growth, NDAA-compliant opportunity we are positioning to capture,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech, in a statement. “Demand for secure autonomous systems is accelerating across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics, and asymmetric warfare, and our progress through cybersecurity, manufacturing, and supply chain readiness reflects disciplined execution.”

Navigating the 'Green-to-Blue' Fast Track

ZenaTech’s rapid progress has been aided by recent evolutions in the certification process itself. The company is leveraging the updated “Green-to-Blue” framework, a streamlined pathway administered by the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). This new approach is designed to accelerate the timeline for domestic manufacturers by integrating key validation steps earlier in the process.

Under this framework, much of the initial heavy lifting—including corporate cyber hygiene audits, product security assessments, and NDAA supply-chain compliance checks—is handled through the Green UAS certification process. This allows the DoD to leverage AUVSI and other third-party assessors to vet companies before they enter the final, more intensive Blue UAS evaluation. ZenaTech has already successfully completed the first two phases, which include application onboarding and submission of the consolidated hardware bill of materials (HBOM) for all three platforms.

Now in phase three, the drones will be subjected to simulated adversarial attacks to test encryption integrity, system resilience, and overall operational security. Successful completion of this phase, followed by a final review from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), is the last major hurdle before the platforms can be officially added to the Blue UAS Cleared List. This distributed and scalable model is seen as a crucial enabler for American innovation, allowing compliant companies to get their technology to market faster.

A Versatile Fleet for Defense and Industry

The three ZenaDrone platforms undergoing certification showcase a range of capabilities designed to meet diverse operational needs, reflecting the company’s broader strategy of developing dual-use technology for both commercial and government sectors.

• The ZenaDrone 1000 is a rugged, medium-sized VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) drone. Its primary distinction is its significant payload capacity of approximately 40 kilograms, making it ideal for critical cargo missions. It has already undergone paid trials with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve for delivering temperature-controlled medical supplies. Its AI-enabled autonomy and secure communications also make it a capable platform for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

• The IQ Nano is a compact, indoor drone built to operate in GPS-denied environments. Starting at just 20x20 inches, it is designed for navigating complex indoor spaces like warehouses or military facilities. Its capabilities include inventory management via barcode scanning, security surveillance in restricted zones, and potential use in search-and-rescue operations within collapsed structures. The ability for these drones to operate in swarms adds a layer of advanced operational potential.

• The IQ Square is a versatile VTOL drone engineered for tasks like infrastructure inspection, line-of-sight reconnaissance, and land surveying. Its design allows it to maneuver in tight spaces while carrying interchangeable cameras and sensors, making it adaptable for various defense and commercial inspection tasks.

Market Positioning and Financial Outlook

While advancing toward Blue UAS certification is a major technical and regulatory achievement, it is also a critical component of ZenaTech’s financial strategy. The company reported record revenue of $12.9 million in 2025, a dramatic 558% increase year-over-year, largely driven by its Drone as a Service (DaaS) business. However, the company also posted a significant net loss as it invests heavily in growth, research, and acquisitions.

Investor sentiment has been mixed, with the company's stock (Nasdaq: ZENA) experiencing a notable decline in 2026. This certification milestone could serve as a powerful catalyst, offering tangible proof of the company’s technological value and unlocking a potentially vast and stable revenue stream from government contracts. Securing even a modest share of the defense drone market would represent a substantial financial boon and could significantly alter the company's growth trajectory.

As ZenaTech enters this final stretch toward certification, it stands at a crossroads. The company has demonstrated its ability to innovate and navigate a complex regulatory landscape, bringing a versatile fleet of AI-driven drones to the brink of approval for the world’s most demanding customer. Successful completion of the Blue UAS process would not only validate its technology but also solidify its role as a key supplier in America's strategic push for a secure, domestically sourced autonomous defense infrastructure.