Field
Intelligence.
Product updates, procurement guides, and defense industry intelligence from the VST team.
UAS in Border Security and Federal Law Enforcement: Operational Realities and Procurement Considerations
Federal law enforcement and border security agencies are among the most active UAS operators in the U.S. government — and among the most constrained by procurement rules, airspace restrictions, and supply chain requirements. This post examines the operational landscape and what it means for agencies evaluating UAS platforms.
NDAA Compliance and the Domestic Drone Supply Chain: What Procurement Teams Actually Need to Know
NDAA Section 848 and related provisions have fundamentally changed what a defensible UAS procurement decision looks like. This post breaks down what the law actually requires, where vendor claims fall short, and how to verify compliance before you commit.
OTA Agreements: What They Actually Are and How to Use Them to Procure UAS Capability
Other Transaction Authority agreements are the fastest legitimate path to fielding drone capability outside the traditional FAR-based acquisition system. Most procurement teams either misunderstand them or underuse them. This post explains how OTA actually works and how to use it effectively for UAS procurement.
Built for the Edge: How VST Platforms Support Special Operations Forces
Special operations missions demand UAS platforms that perform in denied environments, survive austere logistics chains, and never compromise the operator. This post examines the specific design decisions VST has made to support SOF requirements — and why those decisions matter in the field.
Blue UAS Explained: What Defense Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing Drones
A practical guide to Blue UAS, defense drone procurement requirements, and how agencies can reduce acquisition risk.
The Counter-UAS Gap: Why the DoD's Drone Defense Problem Is Still Unsolved — and What Responsible Procurement Looks Like
Small UAS threats have outpaced the doctrine, acquisition systems, and technology meant to counter them. This post examines the operational realities of the counter-UAS problem, where current solutions fall short, and what a defensible procurement decision actually looks like in 2026.
VST Battlefield Mapping Software: What We're Building and Why It Matters
Our battlefield mapping and fleet management software is in active development. This post covers the core architecture decisions, the operational problems we're solving, and how to get involved in the early access program.