US-made Skydio X10D micro-drone proves potential for urban warfare in French Army trials.

On November 26, 2024, the French Army announced that it had recently tested the US-made Skydio X10D micro-drone at the Urban Warfare Training Center (CENZUB) in Sissonne. The Technical Section of the French Army (STAT), along with a detachment from the School of Engineering, conducted the first operator training session and examined its potential military applications. The drone’s AI-enabled obstacle avoidance system allows navigation in both indoor and outdoor environments, regardless of lighting conditions, making it particularly suitable for urban reconnaissance.
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The Skydio X10D’s AI-enabled obstacle avoidance system allows navigation in both indoor and outdoor environments, regardless of lighting conditions, making it particularly suitable for urban reconnaissance. (Picture source: US DoD)

The Skydio X10D is a micro-drone designed for military and public safety applications, weighing slightly over 2 kilograms and offering a flight endurance of approximately 40 minutes. It operates in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +45°C and features modular sensors, including the Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal imaging module with a resolution of 640 x 512 and thermal sensitivity below 30mK. Other camera options include narrow, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses, enabling high-resolution data capture. Its AI-based navigation system ensures autonomous obstacle avoidance in both indoor and outdoor environments, regardless of lighting conditions. Additional features include NightSense for low-light navigation and Blackout Mode to disable visible lights during operations requiring discretion.

The X10D is built with a lightweight magnesium and carbon fiber frame, certified to IP55 standards for dust and water resistance, and capable of withstanding wind gusts of up to 43 km/h. It supports dynamic channel switching to mitigate electronic interference and stores mission data directly on the drone, with an option for AES-256 encryption. The modular design allows for quick payload adjustments, and the system complies with MAVLINK and RAS-A protocols. The X10D is included on the U.S. Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared List, confirming its compliance with cybersecurity protocols and suitability for sensitive operations. It is used for applications such as reconnaissance, mapping, and combat missions, with compatibility for third-party controllers and onboard processing capabilities for mapping and modeling.

Skydio has also started hiring a small team in Ukraine, currently comprising fewer than ten employees focused on engineering and customer support roles, as part of its strategy to expand operations in the region. CEO Adam Bry described Ukraine as a critical testing ground for drones due to its extensive use of small, commercial-style UAVs in electronic warfare conditions. Since 2022, Skydio has delivered approximately 1,000 drones to Ukraine, with the Ministry of Interior requesting additional units, including the X10D, which features multi-band radio modules, frequency-hopping technology, and modular sensor packages for thermal and radiometric imaging.

The French Armed Forces have recently expanded their fleet of micro-drones to enhance reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities. In October 2022, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) received 200 Anafi micro-drone systems, increasing the total to 450 units delivered. In June 2024, the French company Novadem secured a significant order for NX70 micro-drones, bringing the total number in service with the French Army to over 440. Additionally, in January 2021, the DGA ordered 300 micro-drones from the French manufacturer Parrot for use in reconnaissance and intelligence operations.

These purchases align with the French Armed Forces’ objectives of modernizing operational capabilities to meet the demands of contemporary conflicts. Micro-drones provide discreet, real-time surveillance, enabling critical information gathering while minimizing risks to personnel. Their efficiency in close-range intelligence enhances unit protection and tactical advantages. Moreover, their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional combat aircraft and their proven utility in recent conflicts underscore the strategic importance of these technologies in modern military operations.