Skydio X10
American compact quadcopter with 5G control and zero-light flight.
The Skydio X10 is a compact, folding quadcopter drone built for teleoperation, produced by the American company Skydio. Launched in September 2023, it is designed for both civilian and military users, and a version called the Trishul is manufactured in India by AeroArc. Skydio named the X10 to highlight a tenfold increase in computing power over its predecessor, the X2. The drone can be unpacked from a backpack and made ready to fly in 40 seconds. It carries an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, features a "NightSense" system for autonomous flight in zero light, and can be operated over a 5G cellular link, which gives it theoretically unlimited range.
The X10 originally came in two main variants: the baseline X10 for enterprise and first responders, and the X10D for military and government use. The X10D adds a multi-band radio to function in contested signal environments. The civilian X10 was released in several models: the SR47PI and SR47PCI (with a visible-light NightSense system), the SR47PV and SR47PCV (with an infrared NightSense system), and the SR47PC9V, which is compatible with the FirstNet network.
The drone launched with two interchangeable camera payloads. The VT300-Z includes a 48-megapixel telephoto zoom camera, a 64-megapixel narrow-angle camera, and a 640×512 Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal camera. The VT300-L, built for low-light work, replaces the telephoto zoom with a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera that has a 1-inch sensor and adds a 2800-lumen flashlight. A third option, the VT100-L, was released later; it keeps the flashlight, wide-angle, and narrow-angle cameras from the VT300-L but drops the thermal camera.
Several law enforcement agencies have adopted the X10. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department began replacing its X2 fleet in 2024 after finding the older drones inadequate. Skydio first proposed the X10 to the LVMPD chief in 2023; the proposal was forwarded to Ben Horowitz, who donated money to buy the drones. Horowitz’s involvement and donations sparked controversy, with critics arguing they bypassed normal procurement processes and lacked transparency. On July 6, 2026, the Montgomery County Police Department announced it would replace its DJI Matrice 300 RTK fleet with 12 X10s, stationed in pairs at six launch sites for its Drone as First Responder program.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Camera drone
- National Origin
- United States
- Manufacturer
- Skydio / AeroArc
- Primary User
- United States Army
- More Users
- Spanish Army
- Construction Date
- 2023–present
- Introduction
- September 2023
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Skydio X10 was announced in September 2023 as a quadcopter with a folding design that, according to Skydio, can be made flight ready from a backpack in 40 seconds. Its name derives from the drone's computing power being improved tenfold compared to its predecessor, the Skydio X2. The X10 also features an IP55 protection rating, a 'NightSense' zero-light autonomous flight system, and can be controlled using a 5G cellular connection. Like the X2, the X10 was originally released in two variants: the X10 for civilian users and the X10D for military and government use. The X10D is equipped with a multi-band radio, allowing it to operate in contested environments.
The drone was initially released with two interchangeable camera options: the VT300-Z and VT300-L. The VT300-Z features a 48-megapixel telephoto zoom camera, a 64MP narrow-angle camera, and a 640×512 Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal camera. 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. 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.
Variants include the baseline X10 for enterprise and first responder users, the X10D militarized variant, and the Trishul variant produced in India by AeroArc. The X10 has been adopted by law enforcement agencies such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Montgomery County Police Department, as well as military operators including the Philippine Coast Guard, Portuguese Army, Spanish Army, and United States Army.
Reader's Guide
The Skydio X10 represents a significant advancement in compact quadcopter technology, particularly for its integration of 5G cellular control and zero-light autonomous flight capabilities. Its folding design and rapid deployment from a backpack position it as a practical tool for both civilian and military users. The X10's adoption by multiple military forces—including the United States Army, which replaced its RQ-28A with the X10D in January 2025—underscores its role in modernizing drone fleets. Notably, the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted the Army's first grenade drop from a UAV using an X10D in June 2025, inspired by tactics used in the war in Ukraine. The drone's controversy in law enforcement procurement, particularly the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's acquisition involving donations from Ben Horowitz, highlights tensions around transparency in equipment purchasing. The X10's production in India by AeroArc as the Trishul variant also reflects international manufacturing partnerships. Its interchangeable camera systems, including thermal and low-light options, make it adaptable to diverse operational needs, from first responder missions to contested military environments.
Did You Know?
- The Skydio X10's name comes from its computing power being ten times greater than its predecessor, the Skydio X2.
- The X10 can be controlled via a 5G cellular connection, giving it theoretically infinite range.
- The X10D variant includes a multi-band radio for operation in contested environments.
- The United States Army introduced the X10D in January 2025 as a replacement for its RQ-28A.
More in Quadcopters and Multirotor Drones 1-23
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced