The Final Report on Our Five-Year Journey in UAS Standardization by ANSI

Five Years of Progress in UAS Standardization

On November 24, 2025, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) released its much-anticipated Gaps Progress Report from the ANSI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Standardization Collaborative (UASSC). This report represents the culmination of extensive efforts over the past five years aimed at enhancing the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system of the United States.

The Gaps Progress Report stands out as a significant accomplishment, summarizing substantial developments that have been made in addressing critical gaps in UAS standards. The collaborative effort identified 20 key priorities from the original 71 standardization needs highlighted in the UASSC's Standardization Roadmap published in 2020. Aimed at ensuring safety and efficiency, these priority gaps ranged from airworthiness certification processes to diverse operational requirements essential for the smooth functioning of UAS in the airspace.

Compiled by ANSI staff, the report also integrates valuable perspectives from standards developing organizations (SDOs), subject matter experts, and independent research. Highlighting both achievements and ongoing challenges, it provides a thorough overview of newly published standards and various new projects that are underway. Furthermore, there are recommendations outlined for future roadmap modifications to adapt to the fast-paced changes in the UAS industry, suggesting that continuous development efforts are not only desired but essential.

Notably, while this report will be the last in its series, the UASSC has plans for renewed activities in upcoming years. This is driven by the need to maintain current and effective standards and to enhance coordination and information-sharing opportunities among diverse stakeholders involved in UAS operations. Since its establishment in 2017, the UASSC has gathered input from over 400 individuals representing 250 organizations spanning public and private sectors, academia, and federal initiatives, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The ANSI facilitates the operations of the UASSC with partial support from the FAA, ensuring the collaborative remains focused on developing necessary standards and accompanying conformance programs tailored for UAS integration into U.S. airspace. Looking ahead, the collaborative’s efforts will primarily focus on ensuring that the standards established cater to the technological advancements while prioritizing safety concerns that surround the utilization of UAS technology.

The ANSI, being a private non-profit organization, seeks to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. businesses and the overall quality of life for citizens through the promotion of voluntary consensus standards and integrity in conformity assessment systems. Representing more than 270,000 enterprises and over 30 million professionals, ANSI stands as the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and plays a critical role in shaping standards that facilitate innovation while ensuring public safety. For more details, interested individuals can visit the ANSI's official website to explore additional reports and guidelines provided under the UASSC framework.

In summation, the November 2025 Gaps Progress Report is instrumental not only for celebrating the milestones achieved over the past five years but also for setting a forward-looking agenda that aligns with emerging technological developments in the UAS sector. This ongoing commitment to improvement and safety in the integration of unmanned aircraft into everyday airspace is commendable and essential for future advancements in aviation technology.