The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced plans to acquire Skydio R10 indoor reconnaissance drones for use in tactical operations.
The equipment is expected to be purchased through an exclusive contract with Atlantic Diving Supply, a defense equipment supplier based in the state of Virginia. The acquisition notice was released by the United States government and indicates that the systems will be used in the agency’s operational missions.
The initiative reflects a growing demand from security forces for compact drones capable of operating inside buildings and confined environments. These devices allow agents to view the interior of a structure before entering, reducing risks during police operations, searches, or hostage situations.
Designed specifically for flights in locations where GPS signals are weak or unavailable, the Skydio R10 uses onboard sensors and cameras to map the environment and automatically avoid obstacles. The system allows operators to pilot the drone through hallways, rooms, and staircases, functioning as an aerial camera that transmits real-time images to teams positioned outside.
The equipment was also developed to withstand common impacts in indoor environments, featuring a reinforced structure and propeller guards. Among its features is “Turtle Mode,” which allows the drone to flip itself upright after landing upside down and quickly resume flight. In addition, the model has 5G and LTE connectivity, allowing it to switch between different mobile networks to maintain stable communication during operations.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: Skydio | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
