The U.S. Army has placed a $52 million order for more than 2,500 Skydio X10D drone units from Skydio, the largest U.S. drone manufacturer. Announced on March 23, 2026, the order is the largest small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) procurement from a single manufacturer in the Army’s history. According to Skydio, the entire process moved from bid to award in less than 72 hours.
The scale and speed of the purchase reflect the growing importance that small autonomous systems play in modern military operations. Skydio, which describes itself as the world leader in flying robots, has seen sustained demand from the U.S. armed forces and allied nations as autonomous reconnaissance capabilities continue to expand at the platoon level and beyond.
Skydio X10D Drone Capabilities and Battlefield Design
The Skydio X10D drone is built specifically for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions at the platoon level. One of its defining features is the ability to fly autonomously without GPS, using onboard navigation cameras to map terrain in real time and maintain stable flight in environments where signals are contested or jammed. This capability makes it suited for the kinds of communications-denied conditions that modern combat increasingly presents.
The system also includes a multiband radio that optimizes frequency use in high-interference areas, providing seamless connectivity even when adversaries attempt to disrupt communications. For visual coverage, the X10D carries both high-resolution visual cameras and radiometric thermal cameras, giving operators persistent situational awareness during day and night conditions from a position of cover. Skydio’s X10D product page outlines how the system is built for survivability and resiliency in contested environments, with technologies tested under the most severe conditions found on the modern battlefield.
“This order reflects the decisive role small autonomous systems now play in modern conflict and the Army’s commitment to putting those capabilities in soldiers’ hands. It also shows that the United States can deliver world-class drone capability at the scale and speed required by today’s operational environment.” Mark Valentine, Skydio’s Global Head of National Security Strategy
U.S. Army History With Skydio and the SRR Program
The Army’s decision to place this record-breaking order builds on a longstanding relationship with Skydio. The Army selected Skydio for its Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record in both 2022 and 2025, making Skydio the only manufacturer to span both tranches of that program. The latest order was placed through Atlantic Diving Supply, known as ADS, and is described by Skydio as reflecting sustained operational confidence as the Army moves to rapidly scale autonomous reconnaissance capabilities beyond the constraints of traditional acquisition timelines. Coverage of a related Army UAV contract shows how the service branch has been broadening its investment in domestic drone suppliers across multiple programs.
Every X10D unit in this order will be manufactured at Skydio’s facility in Hayward, California. Production workers there assemble and test each drone across 550 individual checkpoints before delivery. The Hayward facility has scaled its output to accommodate orders of this size while maintaining the reliability standards the company says its most demanding customers require. Skydio reports that its drones are currently trusted by every branch of the U.S. military as well as 29 allied nations, positioning the company as a central supplier for American and partner-nation ground forces seeking capable, domestically produced reconnaissance systems.
