U.S. Army Awards $7.9M Contract to Skydio for Short Range Reconnaissance Tranche 2

Rhea-AI Summary

Skydio (partnered with SAIC, NASDAQ: SAIC) was awarded a $7.9M contract on October 14, 2025 to deliver X10D small unmanned aircraft systems under the U.S. Army Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Tranche 2 Low-Rate Initial Production contract.

This award extends a multi-year SRR partnership and brings Skydio's FY25 program support on SRR Tranche 2 to $12.3M. The X10D is described as a modular, resilient tactical ISR sUAS with a 48MP telephoto camera, Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor, advanced onboard AI for navigation and EW resiliency, IP55 rating, and inclusion on the Blue UAS Cleared List.

All Skydio drones are designed and manufactured in the United States, including a large facility in Hayward, CA.

Positive

• $7.9M SRR Tranche 2 LRIP award dated October 14, 2025
• FY25 SRR Tranche 2 support increased to $12.3M
• X10D includes a 48MP telephoto camera and FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor
• X10D on the Blue UAS Cleared List and meets Defense Innovation Unit requirements

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Contract Analyst

Skydio and SAIC won a $7.9M SRR Tranche 2 award, bringing FY25 program support to $12.3M.

Skydio will deliver X10D small UAS under the U.S. Army Short Range Reconnaissance Tranche 2 Low‑Rate Initial Production contract, continuing an existing multi‑year SRR relationship and scaling fielding from X2D/RQ28‑A to X10D. The X10D is described with a high‑resolution 48MP telephoto camera, a Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor, onboard AI for autonomy and EW resiliency, modular attachments, and IP55 nearly all‑weather capability; these attributes map directly to the Army's tactical ISR needs.

The program’s near‑term value is concrete: the award size is $7.9M and total FY25 support is now $12.3M. Execution risks to monitor are delivery schedules, integration with soldier units, and any logistics or sustainment requirements tied to fielding; those items determine near‑term cash flow and follow‑on buys. Cybersecurity and Blue UAS/Defense Innovation Unit clearances are positive factual attributes but still require ongoing compliance to retain qualification.

Watch for three concrete signals over the next 6–18 months: confirmation of delivered units and acceptance by the Program Executive Office (timing and quantities), any announced follow‑on LRIP or full‑rate production awards, and statements about sustainment or training contracts that would extend program revenue beyond FY25. These milestones will clarify whether the award drives material recurring revenue beyond the disclosed FY25 figures.

Latest contract extends multi-year SRR partnership, bringing Skydio's FY25 program support to $12.3M as Army advances tactical ISR capabilities

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Skydio, the leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight technology, in partnership with Science Applications International Corp. (NASDAQ: SAIC), has been awarded $7.9 million to deliver X10D small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) under the U.S. Army's Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Tranche 2 Low-Rate Initial Production contract.

The SRR program, managed by Program Executive Office Aviation's Project Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS), provides infantry platoons with organic reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. This award continues Skydio's role as an SRR provider, transitioning soldiers from X2D/RQ28-A, fielded beginning in 2022 as part of SRR Tranche 1, to the enhanced X10D platform. This award builds on Skydio's first delivery SRR Tranche 2 program systems, announced in May 2025. This brings Skydio's total support of the SRR Tranche 2 program to $12.3M in FY25.

Skydio X10D  delivers operational performance for tactical ISR missions:

• A sensor package that is unrivaled in any sUAS this size, including a 48MP telephoto camera
• A best-in-class Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor that can pinpoint temperature differences at each pixel
• Resiliency in the face of electronic warfare with onboard AI and autonomy
• Built-in AI for visual navigation comes standard
• Advanced obstacle avoidance in every direction
• Enhanced operational resilience in challenging navigation environments through advanced proprietary technology that maintains positional awareness without relying on conventional navigation methods
• Modular, open platform that supports custom third-party attachments and controllers
• Powerful, full-stack security, starting with the chipset and its firmware
• IP55 rating for nearly all-weather operation

X10D, part of the U.S. Department of War's Blue UAS Cleared List, also meets the stringent cybersecurity and capability requirements outlined by the Defense Innovation Unit.

Skydio now supports every branch of the U.S. military, 25 allied nations, alongside public safety agencies, utilities, and enterprise customers worldwide.

All Skydio drones are designed, assembled, and supported in the United States, and Skydio's manufacturing facility in Hayward, CA is one of the world's largest drone manufacturing facilities outside of China. For more information about Skydio for national security, please visit skydio.com/natsec.

About Skydio
Skydio is the leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight, leveraging breakthrough AI to create the world's most intelligent flying machines for use by public safety, government, utility, and enterprise customers. Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S. from its headquarters in San Mateo, California.

Founded in 2014, Skydio is trusted by industry leaders and backed by top investors and strategic partners, including Andreessen Horowitz, Levitate Capital, Next47, IVP, Playground, and NVIDIA. For more information, follow Skydio on LinkedIn or visit skydio.com.

About SAIC
SAIC ® is a premier Fortune 500 mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence customers includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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SOURCE Skydio

FAQ

What did Skydio and SAIC announce on October 14, 2025 regarding SRR Tranche 2 (SAIC)?

They announced a $7.9M contract award to deliver X10D sUAS for the U.S. Army SRR Tranche 2 LRIP program.

How much does the October 14, 2025 award add to Skydio's FY25 SRR support (SAIC)?

The award brings Skydio's total SRR Tranche 2 support to $12.3M in FY25.

What key sensors and capabilities does the Skydio X10D include for tactical ISR?

X10D includes a 48MP telephoto camera, Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor, onboard AI navigation, EW resiliency, and IP55 rating.

Does the X10D meet U.S. military cybersecurity and sourcing requirements (SAIC)?

Yes; X10D is on the Blue UAS Cleared List and meets Defense Innovation Unit cybersecurity and capability requirements.

Which part of the U.S. Army manages the SRR program tied to this Oct 14, 2025 award?

The program is managed by Program Executive Office Aviation's Project Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS).

Where are Skydio drones designed and manufactured relevant to the Oct 14, 2025 contract?

All Skydio drones are designed, assembled, and supported in the United States; manufacturing is in Hayward, CA.