{{Short description|American camera drone}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = X10 | logo = | logo_size = 275px | image = Skydio X10 in flight.jpg | alt = | image_caption = Skydio X10 in flight | other_names = | aircraft_type = Camera drone | aircraft_role = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Skydio<br>AeroArc | status = | owners = | primary_user = United States Army | more_users = Spanish Army | service = | major_applications = | number_built = | construction_date = 2023–present | introduction = September 2023 | first_flight = | developed_from = | developed_into = | variants = }} The '''Skydio X10''' is an American teleoperated compact quadcopter drone produced by Skydio. Introduced in September 2023, the X10 is intended for both military and civilian use and has also been produced in India by AeroArc.
== Design and development == The Skydio X10 was announced in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=Skydio X10 and the Next Chapter of Drones in Critical Industries |url=https://www.skydio.com/blog/introducing-X10/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=www.skydio.com |language=en-us}}</ref> The drone is a quadcopter with a folding design which, according to Skydio, can be made flight ready from a backpack in 40 seconds.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Skydio unveils new Skydio X10 drone |url=https://www.commercialuavnews.com/public-safety/skydio-x10-ascend-extend-drone-as-first-responder-infrastructure-inspection |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=www.commercialuavnews.com |language=en}}</ref> The X10's name derives from the drone's computing power being improved tenfold compared to its predecessor, the Skydio X2.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Ishveena |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Skydio launches X10 drone with three cameras, dramatically advanced AI |url=https://dronedj.com/2023/09/20/skydio-new-x10-drone-camera/ |access-date=July 5, 2025 |website=DroneDJ}}</ref> The X10 also has an IP55 protection rating, a "NightSense" zero-light autonomous flight system, and can be controlled using a 5G cellular connection, giving it a theoretically infinite range.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Skydio Delivers a Breakthrough for Enterprise Drones with the Launch of Skydio X10 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920890194/en/Skydio-Delivers-a-Breakthrough-for-Enterprise-Drones-with-the-Launch-of-Skydio-X10 |website=July 5, 2025}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Jaron |date=2023-09-20 |title=Skydio's New X10 Drone Looks Amazing, But You Can't Buy It |url=https://petapixel.com/2023/09/20/skydios-new-x10-drone-looks-amazing-but-you-cant-buy-it/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=PetaPixel |language=en}}</ref> Like the X2, the X10 was originally released in two variants; the X10 for civilian users and the X10D for military and government use.<ref name=":0" /> Unlike the baseline X10, the X10D is equipped with a multi-band radio, allowing it to operate in contested environments.<ref name=":0" />
The drone was initially released with two interchangeable camera options; the VT300-Z and VT300-L.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Skydio X10 Hands On First Look - A Huge Upgrade |url=https://dronexl.co/2023/09/22/skydio-x10-hands-on-first-look/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=dronexl.co |language=en-US}}</ref> The VT300-Z features a 48-megapixel telephoto zoom camera, a 64MP narrow-angle camera, and a 640×512 Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal camera.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-20 |title=Comparing Skydio X10 sensor packages for 3D Scan |url=https://support.skydio.com/hc/en-us/articles/25903687581723-Comparing-Skydio-X10-sensor-packages-for-3D-Scan |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Skydio |language=en-US}}</ref> The VT300-L, intended for low-light operations, swaps the telephoto zoom camera for a 50MP wide-angle camera with a 1-inch sensor and adds a 2800-lumen flashlight.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> A third option, the VT100-L, was released later with the flashlight, wide-angle, and narrow-angle cameras of the VT300-L, but without the thermal camera.<ref name=":5" />
== Variants == ;X10 :Baseline variant for enterprise and first responder users with an IP55 protection rating, "NightSense" autonomous flight system, and a 5G cellular connection.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" /> Released in the following versions: :*'''Model SR47PI''' and '''SR47PCI''': Equipped with the visible light version of the NightSense system.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |title=Skydio X10 operator manual (Asimov 39.237) |date=May 29, 2025 |publisher=Skydio |pages=209–219}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-27 |title=Getting Started with NightSense for Skydio X10 |url=https://support.skydio.com/hc/en-us/articles/26084250806555-Getting-Started-with-NightSense-for-Skydio-X10 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Skydio |language=en-US}}</ref> :*'''Model SR47PV''' and '''SR47PCV''': Equipped with the infrared light version of the NightSense system.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> :*'''Model SR47PC9V''': FirstNet-capable variant of the X10.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2025 |title=Approved FirstNet Devices |url=https://www.firstnet.com/content/dam/firstnet/white-papers/firstnet-certified-devices.pdf |access-date=July 6, 2025 |website=AT&T}}</ref> ;X10D :Militarized variant with a multi-band radio.<ref name=":0" /> ;''Trishul'' :Variant of the X10 series produced in India by AeroArc.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=株式会社インプレス |date=2024-07-02 |title=Vol.2 安全保障を追い風に躍進を続けるSkydio |url=https://drone-journal.impress.co.jp/docs/series/column20230829-01/1186291.html |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=ドローンジャーナル |language=ja}}</ref>
== Operators == [[File:U S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Unleashes U S Military Drone Dominance (9172753).jpg|thumb|US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with a Skydio X10D during the announcement of Executive Order 14307.]] === Law enforcement operators === ;{{USA}} *The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department acquired the X10 to replace its X2 fleet in 2024, which was determined to be inadequate for the LVMPD's needs.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Private Money Shapes Vegas Police Drone Program: Skydio's $7.6M Deal Raises Questions |url=https://dronexl.co/2024/11/11/private-money-shapes-vegas-police-drone-program-skydio/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=dronexl.co |language=en-US}}</ref> Skydio first proposed the X10 to the LVMPD chief in 2023. The proposal was immediately forwarded to Ben Horowitz, who subsequently donated money to purchase the drones. Horowitz's involvement in the deal, and his donations to the LVMPD as a whole, caused controversy as critics stated they bypassed normal equipment procurement processes and lacked transparency.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Sean |last2=MacColl |first2=Margaux |date=2024-11-08 |title=Ben Horowitz’s cozy relationship with the Las Vegas Police Department aided a16z portfolio company Skydio |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/08/ben-horowitzs-cozy-relationship-with-the-las-vegas-police-department-aided-a16z-portfolio-company-skydio/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Military operators === ;{{PHL}} :The X10 was among the several drone models donated to the Philippine Coast Guard by Australian government in April 2025 for use in the West Philippine Sea.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=Australia boosts Philippines’ South China Sea defence with 20 drones |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3305816/australias-drone-donation-boosts-philippines-maritime-needs-amid-south-china-sea-tensions |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> ;{{ESP}} *The Ministry of Defence chose the X10D in February 2025 for use by the Spanish Army.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kurkowski |first=Seth |date=2025-03-01 |title=Spain chooses Skydio to outfit its military in €18 million deal |url=https://dronedj.com/2025/03/01/spain-chooses-skydio-to-outfit-its-military-in-e18-million-deal/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=DroneDJ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spain’s MoD selects Skydio X10D autonomous Drones in €18 million initial tender – SatNews |url=https://news.satnews.com/2025/02/27/spains-mod-selects-skydio-x10d-autonomous-drones-in-e18-million-initial-tender/ |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=news.satnews.com}}</ref> ;{{USA}} *The United States Army introduced the X10D in January 2025 as a replacement for its RQ-28A (Tri-Service designation of the Skydio X2D).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=Skydio's Advanced Drone Development For US Army's RQ-28A Replacement |url=https://dronexl.co/2024/01/12/skydios-drone-us-armys-rq-28a-replacement/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=dronexl.co |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Christopher |title=US Army delivers tiny ‘rucksack-portable’ drones for faster spy ops |url=https://interestingengineering.com/military/us-army-delivers-tiny-rucksack-portable-drones |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Interesting Engineering |language=en}}</ref> On June 25, 2025, the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted the Army's first grenade drop from a UAV using an X10D at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, having been inspired by similar tactics used by Ukraine in its war with Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Army Drops Combat Grenade from Drone for First Time After Years of Development {{!}} Defense Express |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/us_army_drops_combat_grenade_from_drone_for_first_time_after_years_of_development-15026.html |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=en.defence-ua.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Specifications (Skydio X10 with VT300-L) == [[File:Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Restoration Project 04-08-2024.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse during its 2024 restoration, taken with a Skydio X10.]] {{Aircraft specs |ref=Skydio X10 operator manual<ref name=":7" /> |prime units?=imp <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=
|capacity= |length m= |length ft=2 |length in=1.6 |length note= |width m= |width ft=2 |width in=7.1 |width note= |height m= |height ft= |height in=5.7 |height note= |empty weight kg=2.11 |empty weight lb=4.65 |empty weight note= without 5G module, with battery |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=2.49 |max takeoff weight lb=5.49 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= *'''Battery capacity:''' 18.55V 8419 mAh (156.17Wh) <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number= |eng1 name= |eng1 type= |eng1 note= |power original=
|prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop dia note= <!-- Performance --> |perfhide=
|max speed kmh=72<!-- Converted from 20 m/s --> |max speed mph=45 |max speed kts= |max speed note=at sea level |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range km=12 |range miles=7.5 |range nmi= |range note= (wireless range) |endurance=40 minutes |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=15000 |ceiling note=without payload |climb rate ms=6 |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft= |disk loading note= |power/mass= |more performance= *'''Maximum wind resistance:''' 28 mph (46.1 km/h<!-- Converted from 12.8 m/s -->)<!-- Both figures come from source. Do not use convert template. --> *'''Operating temperature:''' -4°F (-20°C) to 113°F (45°C)<!-- Both figures come from source. Do not use convert template. -->
|avionics= *'''Cameras:''' :*50.3MP 1" CMOS wide-angle camera :*64MP 1/1.7" CMOS narrow-angle camera :*640×512 Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal camera *'''GNSS compatibility:''' GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou *'''Processors:''' :*Nvidia Jetson Orin :*Qualcomm QRB5165 *'''Encryption:''' AES-256 }}
== See also == {{aircontent |see also= * History of unmanned aerial vehicles |related=
|similar aircraft= * DJI Matrice * DJI Mavic * Parrot Anafi |lists= * List of unmanned aerial vehicles }}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons cat|Skydio X10}}
{{Skydio aircraft}}
Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States Category:2020s United States military reconnaissance aircraft Category:Quadcopters Category:Electric aircraft X10