Defense procurement runs on trust signals. Here's exactly what each one means and where we stand today.
What it is: Section 889 of the NDAA bars federal agencies and contractors from using telecommunications and video surveillance equipment from a specific list of prohibited manufacturers. It is a specific supply-chain restriction, not a blanket "NDAA compliant" certification.
Why it matters: For UAS components, this is often the first gate a program office checks. A single covered part can disqualify an entire platform, regardless of how it performs.
Status: Our sourcing decisions are reviewed against the current Section 889 prohibited-entity list as it's updated.
What it is: The Defense Innovation Unit's Blue UAS Framework is a pathway and vetting process for interoperable, NDAA-compliant unmanned systems components, assessing provenance, sourcing, and software/firmware/hardware artifacts.
Why it matters: Blue UAS listing is increasingly a prerequisite for DoD unmanned systems procurement, not just a differentiator.
Status: We are designing for Blue UAS Framework evaluation from the start rather than retrofitting a finished product to meet it. We have not yet submitted for or received Blue UAS listing.
What it is: CMMC Level 2 is the DoD's certification framework, built on NIST SP 800-171, verifying that a contractor's information systems adequately protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Why it matters: It's increasingly a condition of contract award for DoD programs that touch CUI.
Status: Our information systems and business practices are being built and aligned to NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC Level 2 requirements as we scale. This is an active alignment effort — we have not undergone a CMMC Level 2 assessment and do not claim certification.
What it is: A continuous, automated monitoring layer built into the product itself, rather than a one-time compliance check performed before shipment.
Why it matters: Compliance posture can drift after a unit ships — configuration changes, firmware updates, or component substitutions can all affect it. Continuous monitoring is built to catch that drift instead of relying on a point-in-time certificate.
Status: Core capability is in development alongside the rest of the platform.
What it is: UN 38.3 is the international testing standard governing the safe transport of lithium-based batteries by air, sea, and ground — batteries must be proven against it, with test-summary traceability, before they can legally ship.
Why it matters: Any lithium battery shipped commercially or internationally must pass UN 38.3 testing — it's a transport requirement, not an optional certification.
Status: Battery architecture is being designed to UN 38.3 test criteria. Qualification testing has not yet been completed and is planned ahead of production shipment.
What it is: Our pack architecture is the subject of a pending U.S. patent application.
Why it matters: Patent pending reflects differentiation in the pack architecture and system integration approach, not proprietary cell chemistry.
Fortis Foundries Group LLC, dba Blue Hawk Foundry, is a registered federal contractor with an active UEI and CAGE code on file in SAM.gov.
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