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 procurement notice was released by the US government and states that the systems will be used in the agency’s operational missions.
The initiative reflects a growing demand from security forces for compact drones that can operate inside buildings and in confined environments. These devices allow agents to see into a structure before entering, reducing risk during police operations, searches or hostage situations.
The Skydio R10 is designed specifically for flying in areas where the GPS signal is weak or non-existent. It uses built-in sensors and cameras to map the surroundings and automatically avoid obstacles. The system allows operators to steer the drone through corridors, rooms and staircases and acts as an aerial camera that sends real-time images to teams located outside.
The equipment has also been developed to withstand common shocks in indoor environments and has a reinforced structure and protection around the propellers. Among the features is “Turtle Mode”, which enables the drone to turn itself around if it lands upside down and quickly resume flight. In addition, the model has 5G and LTE connectivity, which makes it possible 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
