The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced plans to purchase 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 purchase announcement was published by the US government and indicates that the systems will be used in the agency’s operational missions.
The initiative reflects a growing demand from security services for compact drones that can operate inside buildings and in confined spaces. These devices allow officers to view the interior of a building before entering, reducing risks during police operations, searches or hostage situations.
The Skydio R10 is specially designed for flights in places where the GPS signal is weak or absent. The device uses built-in sensors and cameras to map the environment and automatically avoid obstacles. The system allows operators to steer the drone through hallways, rooms and stairs and acts as an aerial camera that transmits real-time images to teams positioned outside.
The equipment has also been developed to withstand common impacts in indoor environments, with a reinforced structure and protectors around the propellers. One of its features is “Turtle Mode,” which allows the drone to right itself when landing upside down and quickly resume flight. In addition, the model features 5G and LTE connectivity, allowing it to switch between different mobile networks to maintain stable communications during operations.
Bron: Defence Blog | Photo: Skydio | This content was created using AI and reviewed by the editors
