NATO has selected US drone manufacturer Skydio and Belgian firm COBBS BELUX BV to supply and support nano-class drones under the Uncrewed Aerial Systems Support Partnership.
Through the initiative, NATO member states can acquire the Skydio X10D, a drone equipped with autonomous navigation, modular multi-sensor payloads, and adaptable mission capabilities.
COBBS will manage European sales, distribution, training, and maintenance, with operational oversight from Skydio.
Skydio X10D
Skydio’s X10D is a small uncrewed aerial system weighing under 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds), designed for high-risk operational environments where GPS signals may be jammed or spoofed.
Optimized for rapid deployment, it can be launched in under 40 seconds and reach a top speed of approximately 45 miles (72 kilometers) per hour.
To ensure connectivity in contested settings, the drone features a multiband radio that can dynamically switch communication channels.
In environments without GPS access, the drone uses visual navigation and inertial sensors to orient itself.
It relies on anchor points that have been manually placed on its internal map during the mission setup, allowing it to autonomously return to the operator without satellite positioning.
Its onboard computing system supports real-time implementation of mission-critical tasks, including identifying and geolocating points of interest, tracking moving subjects, and providing aerial overwatch.
Additionally, the platform can autonomously generate 2D maps and 3D models, eliminating the need for external processing tools.
AI-assisted flight controls and advanced obstacle avoidance reduce the cognitive load on operators, significantly cutting down the training time usually required for drone systems.
