California-based drone maker Skydio has delivered its first batch of X10D drones to a deploying US Army unit as part of Tranche 2 of the Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program. The company announced that hundreds of its drones were shipped within just five days of receiving the order — an urgent request from a unit preparing for imminent deployment.
This delivery marks the first and only system provided so far under Tranche 2 of the SRR Program of Record. The X10D drone, made in the US and on the Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared List, is designed to provide fast, reliable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support in complex environments.
“When the Army contracted Skydio to fill this urgent need, we shipped systems within five days,” says Adam Bry, Skydio’s cofounder and CEO. “Production readiness is deterrence. By investing in our production capacity, we can accelerate delivery of war-winning capabilities.”
Skydio’s Hayward, California facility — one of the world’s largest drone manufacturing plants outside of China — has now produced over 55,000 drones. The company says it can currently build an X10 or X10D drone in just nine minutes, with over 1,000 drones rolling off the lines each month.
The X10D was chosen for its cutting-edge features packed into a compact, rugged design. These include a 48-megapixel telephoto camera, a top-tier Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor, and advanced autonomy features for obstacle avoidance and navigation in difficult environments. The drone is designed to continue functioning even in areas affected by electronic warfare, using onboard AI to stay operational when GPS and other signals are jammed or degraded.
Its modular, open architecture allows the military to add third-party attachments and customize the system as needed. It also boasts strong security measures built into the hardware and software and an IP55 rating, meaning it can operate in nearly all weather conditions.
This shipment supports a US Army “Transforming in Contact” (TiC) unit, a group focused on adapting quickly in the field. The X10D is expected to enhance the unit’s situational awareness, offering troops vital information in real time during dangerous and dynamic missions.
With this delivery, Skydio has now supplied drones to all branches of the US military and armed forces in 25 allied countries. The company’s focus on American manufacturing, rapid deployment capability, and cutting-edge autonomous technology continues to make it a key player in the Pentagon’s growing demand for secure, reliable drone systems.
The Army’s SRR program aims to equip soldiers with portable, easy-to-use drones that deliver real-time visuals in the field. Skydio’s X10D may soon become a familiar tool for troops needing eyes in the sky, fast.
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