Skydio, a leading U.S. drone manufacturer renowned for its autonomous flight technology, has announced that its latest drone, the Skydio X10D, has been added to the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Blue sUAS Cleared List. This recognition by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) signifies that the X10D meets stringent security and performance standards, streamlining its procurement for government and defense use.
The Blue UAS Cleared List identifies products that align with the U.S. government’s high security and performance requirements, ensuring that military operations are supported by the best available technology without compromising security. The inclusion of the X10D on this list highlights the DoD’s trust in Skydio’s technology and grants agencies the Authority to Operate (ATO) the drone.
Mark Valentine, President of Global Government at Skydio, emphasized the significance of this achievement. “As the largest manufacturer of small drones in the United States, serving every branch of the U.S. military, the Blue UAS Cleared List is a critical distinction for Skydio X10D. This represents an important step forward in providing secure, autonomous uncrewed aerial systems to more U.S. defense operations. Skydio is proud to get the X10D into the hands of our service members, providing a critical combat capability in a time of growing global threats.”
The X10D is the second Skydio drone to make the Blue UAS list, following the Skydio X2D. This new model builds on the technology and customer experience of its predecessor, which is a key component of drone fleets for major U.S. service branches and numerous international defense ministries. The X10D exceeds the rigorous requirements for defense applications, offering advanced autonomy through its computer vision platform, making it a vital tool for improving operational effectiveness and situational awareness.
The Skydio X10D is particularly noted for its capabilities in night operations. It features a 48MP telephoto camera capable of identifying a person from 2400 feet away and a vehicle from 6500 feet away. It is the first drone to include the Teledyne FLIR Boson+ sensor, the most precise radiometric thermal camera in the small drone industry, optimized for day or night ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) use.
Additionally, the X10D is equipped with Skydio NightSense, the only onboard AI that supports autonomous flight in low- or no-light environments. NightSense allows operators to navigate confidently in complete darkness, avoiding obstacles. The drone also has a Blackout Mode, which turns off all its lights to remain undetectable at night. These features, combined with its powerful thermal camera, make the X10D the most capable Group 1 UAS for tactical night operations.
The Skydio X10D is available for purchase through the General Services Administration (GSA) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) schedules, making it easier for government and defense entities to acquire this advanced technology.
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