Geelong manufacturer’s flight controllers remain a staple of the Pentagon’s ‘Blue UAS’ cleared list, with a fresh FCC exemption cementing their status as ‘trusted’ hardware through 2027.

In a move that reinforces the “friend-shoring” of critical military technology, Australian firm CubePilot has been confirmed as a permanent fixture in the United States’ unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry.

While the company’s advanced avionics were already established on the US Department of Defense’s ‘Blue UAS’ list, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Public Notice confirms that these products will remain exempt from national security “covered lists”. This determination by the Department of War ensures that CubePilot’s hardware—already vetted for cybersecurity and NDAA compliance—can be used in US government operations.

The ruling is a significant win for the AUKUS-aligned defence sector, proving that the “stronger together” ethos is moving from political rhetoric to tangible supply-chain security. By exempting these specific components, the FCC has recognised that CubePilot’s technology does not pose an “unacceptable risk” to US national security.

The confirmed ‘Blue listed’ items include:

• CubeOrange+ and CubeOrange: The industry-standard modular autopilot systems.
• CubeBlue and CubeBlue H7: Secure, allied-manufactured flight controllers.
• Here3 and Here4: High-precision GNSS navigation modules essential for autonomous flight.

Industry analysts noted that the exemption specifically targets UAS critical components like flight controllers and navigation systems. This cements CubePilot’s role as the “central nervous system” for the next generation of allied drones, ensuring that western military capabilities remain independent of prohibited foreign technology.