Partners in Defense: Leveraging Drone Technology for Allied Security

This insightful webinar, hosted by Greg Reeder, Senior Director of Defense Strategy at Skydio, brought together a panel of experts to discuss the transformative impact of autonomous drone technology in defense applications. The session explored how Skydio's drones are enhancing global security through support for ground and maritime forces, and highlighted the drones' role in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and maintenance operations across various geopolitical landscapes.

Greg Reeder:

Well, hello, and thank you for joining us today. We're thrilled to have you here as we dive into some very timely and important topics. My name is Greg Reeder. I'm the Senior Director of Defense Strategy here at Skydio. I'll be your host for today's discussion, guiding you through what promises to be a very insightful and engaging session.

Today, we're going to discuss how Skydio supports allied defense forces. Our speakers will cover autonomous drones used in supporting ground and maritime forces, coastal defense, and reconnaissance. We’re also going to talk about Skydio's use in commercial operations and how those innovations are being used today to support defense forces in Ukraine, as well as other applications.

Our goal is to shed light on how aerial robots and autonomy are being deployed globally and how they're shaping the future of defense. We’ve got a great team to talk to you about those things. So, today, I’m honored to introduce our distinguished speakers, starting with Justin Jordan, the VP of Federal Sales, Defense, and Critical Infrastructure at Skydio.

We also have Udu Patel, the Program Manager for International Asia Pacific and the United States Air Force at Skydio, Keith Thomas, the Uncrewed Aerial Systems Capability Lead at EPE, and Rob Eddy, the Group Chief Operating Officer at EPE. Each of our speakers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, and we’re excited to hear what they have to say about these crucial topics today.

So, to kick it off, I’m going to turn it over to Justin. Justin, could you share a bit about how Skydio leverages our use cases to support global defense and military operations?

Justin Jordan:

Thank you, Greg. Skydio takes a holistic approach, providing smart autonomous drones that reduce the cognitive load for all our warfighters and operators out there executing missions. Specifically, we got our start in ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions, supporting real-time decision-making in extremely complex environments.

But we’ve also expanded beyond that. We’re now involved in nontraditional use cases, such as inspecting assets and vessels. This comes into play with the maritime work we’re doing with navies worldwide. These operations include surveillance and maintenance support, allowing us to perform condition-based maintenance on naval vessels stationed globally. We’re currently working on several initiatives with different departments in the Department of Defense, including the Air Force, Navy, and the Canadian Navy. These are projects we’re excited to potentially bring to the region here through EPE.

When we look at maritime operations and extend them into coastal regions, Skydio drones assist in monitoring and securing critical areas, providing valuable intelligence for both defense and humanitarian operations, including search and rescue. Operating in the air, we enhance force projection by providing high-resolution aerial imagery and real-time data to command centers worldwide through integrated operations. This helps commanders make strategic and tactical decisions when needed, leveraging smart and autonomous sensors, which we believe is the way of the future. It’s a method that empowers our forces and allies in both the current and future operational landscapes.

Moreover, we’re achieving this with a robust and trusted product that meets the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Our drones are built to operate in extreme environments, whether facing adversarial electronic warfare or contested airspace. The platforms we offer are dual-use, serving both state and local markets as well as the commercial sector, with specific purpose-built solutions for defense and military operations, ensuring they are trusted and secure when deployed globally.

To provide more insight into what we’re doing in the region, I’ll hand it over to Udu now.

Udu Patel:

Thanks, Justin. Skydio drones have active use cases across AUKUS – that’s Australia, the UK, and the US – with all our partners. We ensure interoperability between our platforms for all the forces using them. This means they can be employed in joint exercises and operated together with similar equipment, enabling consistent tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) across different regions.

Now, I’d like to turn to Keith. Keith, how do you see Skydio drones being used in Australia and New Zealand?

Keith Thomas:

Thanks, Udu. Currently, we’re seeing an uptake in the purchase of Skydio drones by our military as well as public safety agencies in Australia and New Zealand. We’ve observed interoperability between the US, UK, and Australia during exercises here, which is crucial for aligning equipment and ensuring our defense forces can surge capability and interoperate effectively.

The secure supply chain is particularly important in this region. Being in a remote location, having partners you can rely on for equipment and secure supply lines is vital. I’ll hand it back to Udu for more on that.

Udu Patel:

Absolutely, Keith. Our manufacturing capabilities involve large-scale production within a secure supply chain, compliant with NDAA standards. We test all components individually and holistically to meet stringent military requirements, ensuring robust end-to-end security posture. This security is currently being tested in Ukraine, which Justin can elaborate on.

Justin Jordan:

Yes, Skydio has been actively involved in supporting Ukraine since the conflict began. Our drones have provided critical intelligence gathering in challenging environments where GPS may be jammed. The autonomy engine in our drones allows them to navigate and perform missions even in these difficult conditions. We’re proud to contribute to the resilience and operational effectiveness of the Ukrainian forces.

Rob Eddy:

Thanks, Justin. Australia’s unique geography and remote locations pose significant challenges, making force multipliers like Skydio drones invaluable for enhancing defense and border protection. Skydio drones have shown utility in large-area surveillance, such as monitoring coastlines and providing early warning in bushfire-prone areas. We’re seeing increased interest from defense sectors here, which Keith will delve into more.

Keith Thomas:

Certainly. In addition to defense, Skydio drones are increasingly used for critical infrastructure inspections, where allied-procured drones are becoming more sought after. With upcoming investments in uncrewed systems by the Australian Defense Force, we’re optimistic about Skydio’s role in these evaluations and future deployments.

Greg Reeder:

Thank you all for the insights. Before we wrap up, let’s address some audience questions. Justin, one question relates to Skydio’s obstacle avoidance capabilities and adaptability to different operational environments. Could you elaborate on that?

Justin Jordan:

Sure, Greg. Skydio drones are equipped with advanced neural networks and multiple cameras for obstacle avoidance, allowing them to operate based on visual navigation even without preloaded maps. Our latest features, including night sense with IR lighting, ensure obstacle avoidance in low-light conditions as well. This capability has been tested in diverse environments, including urban and wilderness settings, proving the drone’s versatility and reliability in mission-critical operations.

Greg Reeder:

That’s impressive. We’ve also touched on topics like electromagnetic interference and supply chain security, which are crucial in modern warfare. Skydio’s secure components and encrypted data links are particularly important in contested environments, like those in Ukraine. This ensures operational integrity and mission success under challenging conditions.

Rob Eddy:

Indeed, Greg. Secure supply chains and reliable drones are fundamental, especially in regions like Australia and New Zealand. Skydio’s compliance with stringent military standards gives us confidence in deploying these drones across various defense and public safety applications.

Greg Reeder:

Thank you all for your contributions. This has been a valuable discussion, and I want to remind our audience that we’ll be at Land Forces in September. Come visit us at the EPE booth, and we’d love to continue the conversation in person. Thank you again for your time and expertise, and thanks to everyone who joined us today to learn more about what Skydio and EPE have to offer.