Skydio has received two initial contracts from the U.S. Air Force to provide X10D uncrewed aircraft systems for Tactical Air Control Party and Explosive Ordnance Disposal units. The company announced the awards in partnership with ADS. The contracts, described as multi-million-dollar agreements, expand the use of the company’s systems within Air Combat Command units.
The systems are intended to support Tactical Air Control Party personnel in tasks that include assessing adversary positions, improving situational awareness, providing communications relay functions, and operating with existing Air Force platforms. For Explosive Ordnance Disposal units, the drones will be used in routine base operations and during deployments, with additional deliveries planned over the next 18 months.
The Air Force has been expanding the use of uncrewed systems across a range of activities. Security Forces units employ Skydio drones for base protection and installation monitoring. At Travis Air Force Base, maintenance units have used Skydio aircraft for inspection work, reporting reductions in inspection time for C-17 aircraft.
The 60th Maintenance Group recently conducted training on the Air Force’s first drone-based aircraft inspection program. The initiative uses Skydio X2D drones to support exterior inspections and is intended to serve as a template for future maintenance training. According to the Air Force, traditional inspections of a C-17 can take about eight hours, while the drone-assisted process can be completed in approximately 40 minutes. The program currently includes two instructors and two operators undergoing training. The X2D model used in training features autonomous 3D capture, obstacle avoidance and a thermal camera. The plan is to refine the program to a point where other bases can adopt the same approach.
Skydio outlined technical features of the X10D system, including optical and thermal imaging sensors, navigation functions designed for limited-signal environments, and modular elements that allow the use of third-party components. The system is on the Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared List.
The company stated that these Air Force contracts add to work with other U.S. military branches, including participation in the Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance program, as well as sales to foreign governments and civilian agencies. Skydio manufactures its systems in Hayward, California.
