L3Harris and Skydio have integrated tactical communications technology into the X10D unmanned aircraft to improve connectivity and data transmission in environments affected by electronic warfare. The integration combines Skydio’s autonomous drone platform with L3Harris Falcon IV embeddable radios and its Wraith waveform, which governs the transmission and reception of communications signals. According to L3Harris, the combined configuration incorporates multiple layers of protection against electronic jamming. The objective is to maintain operator control while enabling the aircraft to transmit mission information and location data across military networks, even when communications conditions deteriorate. Open-system architectures facilitate the connection between the X10D and L3Harris equipment. The Wraith waveform is already supported by more than 150,000 tactical radios in service with US and allied forces, potentially allowing the drone to connect with existing military communications infrastructure. The Skydio X10D is a compact unmanned aircraft that supports interchangeable visible-light and thermal imaging payloads. The manufacturer reports a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour and a deployment time of less than 40 seconds. Its navigation system combines camera imagery with motion sensors to estimate position when satellite navigation is unavailable or disrupted. Operators can also establish visual reference points to support autonomous navigation and return flights without GPS. Available payloads include a 64-megapixel camera and a Teledyne FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor with a resolution of 640 × 512 pixels. Other configurations offer a 48-megapixel telephoto camera for observing distant objects or a wide-angle camera and light for close-range inspections.
