Vector’s Longbow platform, a modular, NDAA-compliant VTOL system, earned Blue and Green UAS Cleared certifications. Field-proven and SOCOM-endorsed, it delivers resilient ISR, SIGINT, and multi-sensor capabilities for contested, austere, and high-wind operational environments.
Bluffdale, Utah – February 23, 2026
Vector, a modern warfare as-a-service provider, announced today that its Longbow platform has earned both Blue UAS Cleared and Green UAS Cleared certification following independent third-party assessment and rigorous vetting through the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).
Blue UAS Cleared is a Pentagon program, now managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), that lists vetted, secure, NDAA-compliant drones for government and military use, following its transition from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in late 2025.
Green UAS is an industry-led pathway, recognized by the DoD and previously DIU, now aligned with DCMA’s Blue UAS program, focusing on cybersecurity, supply chain integrity, and regulatory compliance—suitable for commercial, federal, and defense-adjacent applications.
Developed with Winter Haven, Florida-based Overhead Intelligence, Vector's Longbow is an NDAA-compliant, mission-adaptable VTOL system engineered for contested, austere, and high-wind environments. Its open, modular architecture supports rapid integration of optics, electronic warfare, sensing, and command-and-control systems, enabling scalable deployment across diverse operational missions.
Longbow’s payload and communications architecture enables multi-sensor fusion, autonomous processing, and resilient networking, allowing operators to respond quickly to evolving battlefield requirements. The platform integrates seamlessly with MANET, mesh networks, Starlink, and TAK, supporting distributed operations, edge-enabled decision-making, and reliable data sharing across joint and coalition forces.
Longbow builds on Vector’s attritable, subscription-based approach to modern warfare. The platform is actively deployed under Vector’s multi-year contract with U.S. Special Operations Command, validating both its operational readiness and rapid adaptability. Developed under the leadership of Andy Yakulis, a former Tier 1 Army Special Operations pilot and West Point graduate, Longbow incorporates resilient, jam-resistant communications and domestic, NDAA-compliant manufacturing, reflecting Vector’s commitment to delivering trusted, field-proven technology to U.S. forces.
“Receiving both Green UAS Cleared and Blue UAS Cleared certification validates the discipline and rigor our team brings to doing things right,” said Yakulis, CEO of Vector. “Our systems are built for the Department of War, free from adversarial supply chains, and designed with the warfighter in mind.”
Longbow is a fielded system with proven operations in complex terrain, maritime environments, and communications-denied conditions. It is actively deployed for ISR, SIGINT/ELINT, spectrum, and magnetometry missions, with advanced payloads developed alongside Overhead Intelligence to support a wide range of government agencies.
With validated production, sustainment, and integration processes, Longbow is positioned for near-term fielding and long-term scalability. Vector has demonstrated the operational credibility and maturity needed to meet the Department of War’s most demanding standards, from supply chain security and compliance to modular payload integration.
Vector leverages deep field experience to ensure the United States and its partners maintain a decisive edge. The company develops small unmanned aircraft, including Group 1 and Group 2 drones, supporting intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and electronic operations. Vector is a leader in FPV kinetic drone technology and provides high-performance systems that integrate with existing military networks while adapting to evolving threats.
Vector delivers domestically produced, mission-ready solutions, working closely with warfighters to ensure cutting-edge defense capabilities are fully operational and scalable for modern operations.
Learn more at www.tfvector.com.