Skydio X10 vs. Teal 2: Comparing American-made tactical drones

As the demand for secure, domestically produced drones intensifies, there really are two standout models that dominate the U.S. military’s use of small, portable drones. There’s the Skydio X10 and the Teal 2. Both drones are U.S.-made, Department of Defense (DoD) Blue UAS-certified, and tailored for military and enterprise applications. So what’s different — and perhaps better — when it comes to the Skydio X10 vs. Teal 2?

This comparison delves into their specifications, strengths and ideal use cases.

Skydio X10 vs. Teal 2: side-by-side

What to know about the Skydio X10 drone

The Skydio X10 stands out for its advanced autonomy and sensor suite. Equipped with multiple high-resolution cameras, including a 64MP narrow camera and a 640×512 FLIR Boson+ thermal sensor, it offers unparalleled imaging capabilities. Its NightSense feature enables autonomous navigation in complete darkness, and the Spatial AI engine allows for real-time environment mapping and 3D modeling.

This sensor setup isn’t just suited for battlefield reconnaissance — it’s also optimized for:

• Bridge and building inspections, with the ability to detect 0.1mm cracks in concrete.
• Search and rescue in zero-light environments, aided by thermal and NightSense tech.
• Utility and energy infrastructure monitoring, thanks to high-fidelity radiometric thermal imagery and real-time mapping.

With a robust IP55-rated airframe and rapid deployment time, it’s designed for challenging operational environments.

Related read: Skydio X10 is the ultra-powerful, American-made drone reshaping military and enterprise operations

The Skydio Spatial AI engine powers real-time 3D mapping, automated inspection routines, and fully autonomous navigation even in GPS- or comms-denied environments. That level of automation makes it a top choice for enterprise users — especially those with limited drone piloting expertise — across sectors like:

• Telecommunications (e.g., automated tower inspections)
• Construction (e.g., site monitoring and progress modeling)
• Public safety (e.g., autonomous perimeter sweeps or overwatch)

The Skydio X10D — and what distinguishes it

There’s also a military version called the Skydio X10D (with the ‘D’ signaling ‘defense’). And in fact, the  Skydio X10D became the first system delivered under Tranche 2 of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record in May 2025. That put Skydio at the forefront of the Department of Defense’s plan to equip frontline soldiers with American-made drones. Other militaries, including the Spanish military, also use Skydio drones.

Skydio also makes accompanying products to support its drones. For example, in fall 2024 it launched the Skydio Dock for the X10 drone, creating a “drone-in-a-box” product for users.

What to know about the Teal 2 drone

The Teal 2 is optimized for portability and rapid deployment. Weighing just 2.75 lbs, it’s easily transportable and suitable for quick missions. Its integration with Athena AI provides enhanced object recognition and tracking capabilities.

But while Athena is valuable for identifying threats in military and tactical settings, it;s less applicable in commercial industries where object detection isn’t as relevant as mapping or measurement.

While it may not match the Skydio X10 in sensor resolution or autonomy, its compact design and modularity make it a versatile choice for various applications.

How to choose the right drone for your use case

While both the Skydio X10 and Teal 2 are standout entries in the American-made, defense-grade drone market, the X10 offers a level of versatility that positions it for a far broader range of use cases — from tactical missions to critical infrastructure inspection and advanced public safety operations.

Skydio X10: Ideal for missions requiring advanced autonomy, high-resolution imaging, and operations in complex environments, such as infrastructure inspections, search and rescue, and military reconnaissance.

Teal 2: Best suited for rapid deployment scenarios where portability and quick setup are paramount, including short-range reconnaissance and tactical operations.

A similar history: from backyard flights to battlefield fights

Both Skydio and Teal Drones share similar histories. Each of the two American drone companies first entered the drone scene with bold ambitions to rival DJI in the consumer drone market. But as the economics of drone manufacturing evolved — and as U.S. national security concerns grew louder — both companies made decisive pivots toward defense and enterprise use.

Skydio’s consumer camera roots

Founded in 2014 by MIT alumni and former Google engineers, Skydio launched its first drone, the Skydio R1, in 2018 as a groundbreaking follow-me camera drone for consumers. It stood out for its AI-powered autonomy and omnidirectional obstacle avoidance — features that put it miles ahead of competitors in terms of automated flight.

But despite critical acclaim, the R1 and its successors (like the Skydio 2) struggled to gain mass-market adoption, especially against DJI’s aggressive pricing and global distribution. By 2023, Skydio announced it was officially exiting the consumer drone market to focus exclusively on enterprise and defense customers. That pivot culminated in the launch of the X10 and X10D, drones purpose-built for military ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), infrastructure inspections, and public safety.

Teal’s turnaround from modular racing drones

Teal Drones, founded in 2015 by then-teenage prodigy George Matus, also began with a dream of building fast, powerful, American-made drones for everyday users. Its early product, the Teal One, promised to be a modular drone that could serve multiple use cases, from photography to racing. However, Teal faced the same uphill battle as Skydio: DJI’s dominance, low margins and regulatory uncertainty in the consumer space.

Recognizing the writing on the wall, Teal shifted its focus. After being acquired by Red Cat Holdings in 2021, the company fully embraced military and government applications, positioning its Teal 2 drone as a rugged, secure, and Blue UAS-compliant system ideal for short-range tactical missions.

Red Cat’s emphasis on defense contracts and Teal’s open-architecture platform has since earned it a spot alongside Skydio in Tranche 2 of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record, marking a full-circle transformation from consumer hopeful to battlefield supplier.

Skydio X10 vs. Teal 2: which is better?

If you need a drone strictly for tactical, on-the-ground recon — especially where size and portability are paramount — the Teal 2 delivers. But if your mission profile includes everything from urban firefighting to asset inspection in wind farms to multi-national defense deployments, the Skydio X10 is the more capable and future-proof platform.

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