PSC 1550

Overview

The Product Service Code system is the U.S. government’s standard for classifying what the government buys, supporting consistent reporting, analytics, and spend transparency across procurement systems such as FPDS and related platforms. The PSC structure and definitions are maintained through the official PSC Manual on Acquisition.gov, which guides coding for contract actions. ¹

PSC 1550 is defined as Unmanned Aircraft. The PSC Manual specifies that 1550 covers complete drones only; parts, subassemblies, attachments, and accessories used in or on drones are coded elsewhere. It includes drones designed for targets, training, surveillance, missile evaluation, and photographic reconnaissance, and excludes piloted aircraft and guided missiles that have been converted for drone use. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC 1550 overview
• G2X — PSC 1560 (Airframe Structural Components)
• G2X — PSC 1675 (Space Vehicle Components)

What this PSC covers

• Complete unmanned aircraft systems platforms (air vehicles) delivered as end items. ²
• Drone targets and training drones acquired as complete aircraft. ²
• Drones for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. ²
• Drones procured for missile evaluation activities. ²
• Drones used for photographic reconnaissance applications. ²
• Excludes any piloted aircraft and guided missiles converted to drone use. ²
• Excludes all drone parts, components, attachments, or accessories; those must be coded in other classes. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Verified categories per PSC Manual April 2025. ²

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	1510	Aircraft, Fixed Wing
PSC	1520	Aircraft, Rotary Wing
PSC	1540	Gliders
PSC	1555	Space Vehicles

Classification guidance and regulatory notes

• Coding rule of thumb: select the PSC that reflects the predominant item being purchased; the PSC Manual cites this “predominant product/service” approach for FPDS reporting. ²
• DoD defines “aircraft” to include unmanned aerial vehicles for contract insurance/indemnification purposes, clarifying treatment of UAS in applicable clauses. ³
• Federal policy implements security prohibitions related to unmanned aircraft systems; contracting officers apply Subpart 40.2 requirements during acquisition planning. ⁴
• FAR 52.240-1 prohibits procuring or operating UAS manufactured or assembled by “American Security Drone Act–covered foreign entities,” as identified via the FASC-maintained list published in SAM.gov. ⁵
• DoD coordinated acquisition guidance historically assigns portions of FSC/PSC 1550 “Drones” to the Air Force for specific legacy models (e.g., 147, 154, BQM‑34A, MQM‑34D), illustrating service responsibility for certain buys. ⁶

Frequently asked questions

• What exactly does PSC 1550 include?

  It covers complete unmanned aircraft (drones) acquired as end items. It explicitly includes drones for targets, training, surveillance, missile evaluation, and photographic reconnaissance, but excludes piloted aircraft and missiles converted to drones. ²

• Are payloads, spares, or ground control stations coded under PSC 1550?

  No. The PSC Manual states 1550 is only for complete drones; parts, assemblies, attachments, and accessories used in or on drones are coded in other classes, not in 1550. ²

• How do security restrictions affect drones coded under PSC 1550?

  FAR Subpart 40.2 and clause 52.240‑1 implement the American Security Drone Act prohibitions, restricting procurement and operation of certain UAS based on origin and entity status. These requirements apply at solicitation and award. ⁴

• Does DoD treat unmanned aircraft as “aircraft” for contract clauses?

  Yes. DFARS 228.370‑1 defines “aircraft” to include unmanned aerial vehicles unless otherwise provided, affecting insurance and risk allocation clauses in DoD contracts. ³

• How should mixed procurements (e.g., a drone plus spare parts) be coded in FPDS?

  The PSC should reflect the predominant item or service value in the action. If the complete unmanned aircraft is predominant, use 1550; otherwise apply the relevant PSC for the predominant items. ²

Useful resources

• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual (April 2025 edition), authoritative definitions and notes for PSC 1550. ²
• FAR Subpart 40.2 — Security prohibitions and exclusions impacting UAS. ⁴
• FAR 52.240‑1 — Prohibition on certain unmanned aircraft systems. ⁵
• DFARS 228.370‑1 — DoD definition of “aircraft” including UAVs. ³
• DFARS PGI 208.7006 — Coordinated acquisition assignments referencing 1550 “Drones.” ⁶

References

1. Product and Service Code Manual index (Acquisition.gov). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF), Group 15 entries including 1550 Unmanned Aircraft. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. DFARS 228.370‑1 Definitions (aircraft includes unmanned aerial vehicles). https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/228.370-1-definitions
4. FAR Subpart 40.2 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (UAS policy). https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-40.2
5. FAR 52.240‑1 Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act–Covered Foreign Entities. https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.240-1
6. DFARS PGI 208.7006 Coordinated acquisition assignments (1550 “Drones”). https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/pgi/PGI-208.7006-coordinated-acquisition-assignments