11. March 2025
Skydio Unveils Cutting-Edge Drone With Endless Payload Options For Military And Defense
Skydio X10D Drone Gets Major Upgrade with Custom Payload Options, Unlocking Endless Possibilities for Military and Defense Agencies
US drone manufacturer Skydio has released its Interface Control Document (ICD) for its flagship drone, the X10D, allowing third-party developers to create custom payload attachments. This development enables a range of innovative solutions tailored to specific mission requirements.
The Skydio X10D is an exceptional drone for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions due to its robust design and advanced features. It has been in full-scale production since last year and is already being used by defense and government agencies operating in high-stakes environments where adaptability is crucial.
Skydio has offered a limited number of official attachments for the X10D, including a Spotlight for illuminating dark areas, Camera for capturing detailed images and videos, Speaker for broadcasting messages from the drone, Parachute for safe emergency landings, and NightSense for autonomous flight in zero-light conditions. However, with the release of the Attachment ICD, military users and partners can now push the boundaries of what is possible with the X10D.
The modular design supports attachments that enhance battlefield communication, intelligence gathering, and emergency response, offering a vast array of possibilities for innovative solutions. Potential attachment examples include payload droppers, signal relay devices, electronic warfare sensors, chemical detectors, and diversionary devices.
The X10D features four attachment bays, each capable of delivering up to 50 watts of power, ensuring that these external devices can operate effectively in the field. This flexibility and customization potential are a significant step forward for Skydio’s drone technology.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of this modular approach, Skydio partnered with L3Harris Technologies and Elsight to test external payloads on the X10D. The results were impressive, showcasing the drone’s adaptability and versatility in various scenarios.
L3Harris RF-9820S-ER radio was successfully integrated into the X10D in just two days, enabling secure communication even in GPS-denied environments. Elsight Halo connectivity enables Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) control, using multiple connection types to maintain a stable, uninterrupted link.
Over the past five years, Skydio has supplied drones to every branch of the US military and 25 allied nations. The company’s commitment to providing adaptable, high-performance drone solutions for defense and security operations is evident in this latest development.
The Attachment ICD marks a significant step forward for Skydio and the broader drone technology industry. As governments and defense agencies continue to explore new ways to utilize drones in various contexts, the potential for innovation and growth is vast. The X10D’s modular design and custom payload options position it to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of military and defense operations.
The possibilities are endless, and it will be exciting to see how this technology unfolds in the coming years. With its advanced features and adaptability, the Skydio X10D is poised to make a lasting impact on various industries, including defense, surveillance, and emergency response.