BLUE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS) PROCUREMENT AND TRAINING

MARADMINS : 398/24

R 291717Z AUG 24
MARADMIN 398/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO PO//
SUBJ/BLUE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS) PROCUREMENT AND
TRAINING//
REF/A/DOC/ UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (USD) MEMORANDUM FOR
BLUE SUAS//(U//FOUO)//
REF/B/DOC/ NAVMC 3500.107_//(U//FOUO)//
REF/C/DOC/ NAVMC 1200.1_//(U//FOUO)//
REF/D/DOC/ CJCSI 3255.01 CH 1//(U//FOUO)//
REF/E/DOC/ CNAF M-3710.9//(U//FOUO)//
REF/F/DOC/ SOUM 08-16//(U//FOUO)//
REF/G/DOC/ MCO 5100.29_//(U/FOUO)//
REF/H/DOC/ OUSD MEMORANDUM 2020-O0015//(U/FOUO)//
REF/I/DOC/ UAS CAT 3 IFC FOR NON-POR GROUP 1 AND 2 UAS FOR
SHORE-BASED
/AND SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS//
NARR/REF A IS THE EXCEPTION TO POLICY REQUIREMENT FOR BLUE
SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM. REF B IS THE TRAINING AND
READINESS MANUAL. REF C IS THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL
SPECIALTIES MANUAL. REF D IS THE JOINT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
SYSTEMS MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS DIRECTIVE. REF E IS THE
GUIDANCE FOR THE OPERATION OF DEPARTMENT OF NAVY GROUP 1
AND 2 UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. REF F IS THE TECOM SAFETY
OF USE MEMORANDUM; SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS USE
WITHIN INSTALLATION RANGES AND TRAINING AREAS. REF G
DETAILS SAFETY PROGRAM STANDARDS AND MISHAP REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS FOR UAS OPERATIONS. REF H IS A MEMORANDUM
FROM THE OUSD FOR THE PROHIBITION OF PROCUREMENT OF
FOREIGN-MADE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. REF I IS THE UAS
CAT 3 IFC FOR NON-POR GROUP 1 AND 2 UAS FROM
COMNAVAIRSYSCOM.//
POC/MSGT/B. W. POWELL/PPO POF/EMAIL:
[email protected]/TEL: 703-614-4300//
POC/LTCOL/M. I. BRIDE/PPO POF/EMAIL:
[email protected]/TEL: 703-692-4289
REMARKS/
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.