AIDC First to Apply for Green UAS Certification, Calling It a Major Boost for the Industry
Taiwan has become the first overseas evaluation body for the US 'Green Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Green UAS)' program. ITRI signed an agreement with AUVSI, and AIDC was the first to submit a drone product for testing. AIDC Chairman Tsao Jin-ping said this is a major boon for the industry, opening up convenience for defense and overseas orders.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 19:18
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(Central News Agency reporter Jiang Ming-yan, Taipei, 4th) Taiwan has become the first overseas evaluation body for the US 'Green Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Green UAS)' program. The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) revealed that 'many companies are lining up,' and Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) took the lead by collaborating with academia to submit the first drone product for testing. Chairman Tsao Jin-ping stated, 'This is a major boon for the industry,' which will open up convenience for defense and overseas orders.
ITRI held the 'Drone Evaluation Body Launch Conference' today, announcing the signing of a Green UAS authorized evaluation and service agreement with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). ITRI becomes AUVSI's third-party accredited evaluation body in Taiwan and the first accredited evaluation body outside the United States. This will help Taiwanese companies obtain certification and enter the US market.
ITRI also signed a Green UAS testing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AIDC today, represented by ITRI Mechanical and Mechatronics Systems Research Institute Director Chang Chen-yuan and AIDC Chairman Tsao Jin-ping, initiating cooperation on Green UAS testing and verification.
The Green UAS system is an important drone supply chain verification mechanism promoted by the US in recent years. Director Chang stated that Taiwan is conducting verification across multiple different fields simultaneously, significantly shortening the timeline. The verification period can be reduced from about one year to about half a year. Green UAS can verify both complete drones and key components. 'Many have already lined up and registered. Currently, there are definitely over 10 companies,' he said.
ITRI further explained that its testing capacity is distributed across various research institutes, centers, and laboratories, enabling it to provide international-quality verification locally. This capacity is sufficient to meet industry demand and accelerate the process.
Director Chang pointed out that Taiwan is the first democratic country verification site outside the US, which can attract democratic countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines to come to Taiwan for testing and cooperation.
Regarding Blue UAS certification, ITRI emphasized that moving from Green UAS to Blue UAS is a natural process, depending on a company's product line and target customers. 'Both are possible.' After obtaining certification, Taiwanese companies can secure orders from US customers. This can proceed in parallel with the Buy American Act (BAA) and the certification pathway without conflict.
Top executives from the Unmanned Vehicle Alliance, Taiwan Intelligent Robotics and Automation Association, Thunder Tiger Chairman Chen Kuan-ju, ADAC Chairman Li Wei-hsien, Shen Yao Technology, and Coretronic Intelligent Robotics also attended today's 'Drone Evaluation Body Launch Conference.'
Chairman Tsao emphasized in an interview that drone certification is an inevitable threshold for expanding into international markets. Domestic demand is insufficient, making overseas markets worth developing. Taiwan's capacity for Green UAS certification outside the US 'is a major boon for the industry,' opening up convenience for defense and overseas orders, as well as future potential.
Chairman Tsao told CNA reporters that AIDC has already collaborated with academia to produce a drone as its first product for submission. Whether mass production follows will depend on orders. He also stated, 'The possibility of AIDC's US plant subsequently producing drones is extremely high.' Due to BAA policies and various certification requirements, AIDC's US plant has several cases under negotiation, but nothing has been finalized yet.
Chairman Tsao noted that AIDC has not previously been involved in drones but possesses precision aerospace large-scale machinery technology. The company began transitioning into the drone business last year, adopting a 'phased' strategy. The first phase involves collaborating with academia and enterprises to target domestic bids, followed by expansion into general overseas demand. Contributions from overseas markets are expected next year, though uncertainties remain. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150604
ITRI held the 'Drone Evaluation Body Launch Conference' today, announcing the signing of a Green UAS authorized evaluation and service agreement with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). ITRI becomes AUVSI's third-party accredited evaluation body in Taiwan and the first accredited evaluation body outside the United States. This will help Taiwanese companies obtain certification and enter the US market.
ITRI also signed a Green UAS testing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AIDC today, represented by ITRI Mechanical and Mechatronics Systems Research Institute Director Chang Chen-yuan and AIDC Chairman Tsao Jin-ping, initiating cooperation on Green UAS testing and verification.
The Green UAS system is an important drone supply chain verification mechanism promoted by the US in recent years. Director Chang stated that Taiwan is conducting verification across multiple different fields simultaneously, significantly shortening the timeline. The verification period can be reduced from about one year to about half a year. Green UAS can verify both complete drones and key components. 'Many have already lined up and registered. Currently, there are definitely over 10 companies,' he said.
ITRI further explained that its testing capacity is distributed across various research institutes, centers, and laboratories, enabling it to provide international-quality verification locally. This capacity is sufficient to meet industry demand and accelerate the process.
Director Chang pointed out that Taiwan is the first democratic country verification site outside the US, which can attract democratic countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines to come to Taiwan for testing and cooperation.
Regarding Blue UAS certification, ITRI emphasized that moving from Green UAS to Blue UAS is a natural process, depending on a company's product line and target customers. 'Both are possible.' After obtaining certification, Taiwanese companies can secure orders from US customers. This can proceed in parallel with the Buy American Act (BAA) and the certification pathway without conflict.
Top executives from the Unmanned Vehicle Alliance, Taiwan Intelligent Robotics and Automation Association, Thunder Tiger Chairman Chen Kuan-ju, ADAC Chairman Li Wei-hsien, Shen Yao Technology, and Coretronic Intelligent Robotics also attended today's 'Drone Evaluation Body Launch Conference.'
Chairman Tsao emphasized in an interview that drone certification is an inevitable threshold for expanding into international markets. Domestic demand is insufficient, making overseas markets worth developing. Taiwan's capacity for Green UAS certification outside the US 'is a major boon for the industry,' opening up convenience for defense and overseas orders, as well as future potential.
Chairman Tsao told CNA reporters that AIDC has already collaborated with academia to produce a drone as its first product for submission. Whether mass production follows will depend on orders. He also stated, 'The possibility of AIDC's US plant subsequently producing drones is extremely high.' Due to BAA policies and various certification requirements, AIDC's US plant has several cases under negotiation, but nothing has been finalized yet.
Chairman Tsao noted that AIDC has not previously been involved in drones but possesses precision aerospace large-scale machinery technology. The company began transitioning into the drone business last year, adopting a 'phased' strategy. The first phase involves collaborating with academia and enterprises to target domestic bids, followed by expansion into general overseas demand. Contributions from overseas markets are expected next year, though uncertainties remain. (Editor: Chang Liang-chih) 1150604
FAQ
What is Green UAS certification?
It is a US drone supply chain verification mechanism managed by AUVSI, verifying both complete drones and key components.
What role does Taiwan play?
ITRI has become the first AUVSI-accredited evaluation body outside the US, helping Taiwanese companies obtain certification.
What are AIDC's specific plans?
AIDC has produced a drone in collaboration with academia as its first certification submission and is considering production at its US plant.