The growing importance of the Blue UAS Cleared List
The US Department of Defense added the Skydio X10D to the Blue UAS Cleared List in May 2024. (Photo: Skydio)
Inclusion on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Cleared List is set to become ever more crucial for uncrewed aerial vehicle manufacturers due to the access it gives to the US market, which is set to expand significantly over the next 10 years.
US-based drone manufacturer Skydio announced on 14 October that it had been awarded a US$7.9 million contract to deliver its X10D rotary-wing uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) as part of the US Army’s Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Tranche 2 Low-Rate Initial Production contract.
This contract is the second Skydio has received for the drone through the SRR effort, having delivered a batch of X10Ds to the Army in May 2025, in a contract now believed to be worth $4.4 million based on Skydio’s confirmation that it had been awarded $12.3 million in SRR contracts in FY2025.
Benefits of inclusion
These acquisitions of Skydio’s
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion]()
First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion
The US is currently escalating its efforts to acquire more than 300,000 low-cost one-way attack drones, with the confirmed use of these platforms against Iran in recent days emphasising their growing use in combat.
-
![UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract]()
UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract
The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
-
![NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort]()
NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort
The NATO agency gave further updates on the next stages of its rotorcraft programme and timelines for the next three years, with the initiative aimed at replacing ageing medium-lift helicopters in various NATO countries.
-
![UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO]()
UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO
A potential announcement within days could end speculation around the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement direction for the NMH programme.
