Skydio
US autonomous drone maker; sole SRR winner across both tranches, largest Army sUAS order in history.
Last refreshed: 30 March 2026
Why did the Army buy 2,500 drones in 72 hours?
- What is Skydio?
- A US drone maker specialising in AI-powered autonomous flight. The only company selected for both tranches of the Army's Short Range Reconnaissance programme.Source: background
- Why did the Army buy so many Skydio drones?
- The $52 million order for 2,500+ X10D drones fills platoon-level reconnaissance needs. The X10D flies without GPS, works at night, and can be deployed in jammed environments.Source: background
- Can Skydio drones fly without GPS?
- Yes. The X10D uses onboard visual cameras to map surroundings in real time, allowing autonomous flight in GPS-denied or jammed environments.Source: background
- Where are Skydio drones made?
- Entirely in the US at Skydio's facility in Hayward, California.Source: quick_facts
- How does Skydio compare to DJI?
- Skydio builds military-grade autonomous drones manufactured in the US. DJI is a Chinese commercial drone maker facing FCC restrictions and potential US market bans.Source: background
Background
Skydio is the only company selected for both Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of the US Army's Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme of record, the service's first programme embedding reconnaissance quadcopters as standard platoon equipment. In March 2026 the Army placed a $52 million order for over 2,500 X10D drones in under 72 hours, the largest single-vendor tactical sUAS procurement in Army history.
The X10D flies without GPS, using onboard visual cameras to map its surroundings in real time. This makes it operational in jammed or GPS-denied environments where conventional drones fail. Multiband radios auto-adjust frequencies to hold connection in contested airspace. Combined with thermal sensors, the platform gives platoons day-and-night situational awareness without exposing soldiers.
Skydio manufactures entirely in the US at its Hayward, California facility. Tranche 1 fielding began in 2022 and has reached over 16 brigades. The company competes with Red Cat Holdings in Tranche 2 but has dominated procurement volume to date.