Puerto Rico-based Red Cat Holdings has selected SpiderOak to conduct a cybersecurity and supply chain evaluation of its Black Widow reconnaissance drone as part of the process to join the US Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared List. Inclusion would enable wider adoption of the drone by US military units and federal agencies.
The Blue UAS program, managed by the Defense Innovation Unit, establishes a trusted roster of unmanned systems that comply with digital security, data protection, and supply chain transparency requirements. As an authorized Blue UAS assessor, SpiderOak will perform penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, and reviews of foreign ownership and influence, ensuring the Black Widow meets Pentagon standards.
Assessments will be benchmarked against NIST cybersecurity controls, including 800-171 and 800-53, as well as Executive Order 14028, which governs federal cybersecurity practices. SpiderOak will also employ secure-by-design evaluations, threat modeling, and advanced supply chain forensics to identify and mitigate potential risks.
The evaluation coincides with Red Cat’s expanding role within the US defense unmanned systems market. The company posted significant year-on-year revenue growth in Q3 FY2025, supported by a $35-million US defense contract, and continues to manufacture US-built drones through its subsidiaries Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, reinforcing compliance with domestic sourcing requirements.
