Page 1 of edition 1 states:[1]: 5 If a National Certifying Authority states that a UAV System airworthiness is compliant with STANAG 4671 (and any appropriate national reservations), then, from an airworthiness perspective, that UAV System should have streamlined approval to fly in the airspace of other NATO countries, if those countries have also ratified this STANAG.Edition 1 [2] was promulgated in September 2009.
The task to initiate this standard resulted from a NATO meeting of the Flight In Non-Segregated Airspace (FINAS) Working Group, September 2004.
To prepare for the possible acquisition of a NATO-owned unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the level of airworthiness was essential so that industry could meet the alliance requirement.
[5] The DGA document was titled “UAV System Airworthiness Requirements” a designation that France asked to be applied in NATO.
[1]: 8 It covers, e.g. ground handling characteristics,[1]: 35 landing gear,[1]: 73 UAV external 'position' lights,[1]: 125 Command and control data link loss strategy,[1]: 147 : 207 Emergency recovery capability,[1]: 203 (including deliberate flight termination using explosives).