22 September, 2025

[note]This software release is supported on Skydio X10D MH only.[/note]

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS 

Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)

Skydio X10 is equipped with an onboard ADS-B receiver, which detects ADS-B signals broadcast by nearby aircraft and notifies X10 operators via on-screen prompts. The X10 onboard ADS-B is receive-only and does not broadcast any ADS-B signals out.

ADS-B alerts are now supported even in degraded navigation states such as GPS-denied or ATTI mode, enabling ADS-B operation in advanced ISR missions. Visual and audible notifications will alert the operator when an aircraft enters the set alert radius.

• Aircraft icon – Displays either a fixed-wing aircraft or rotorcraft, with the altitude relative to your drone. Select this icon to view more flight details (e.g., vertical/horizontal speed, ground distance).
• Visual notification – A message alert appears in the top right of the screen and displays Incoming Aircraft
• Audible alert (off by default) - When an aircraft enters your alert radius, the X10 Controller will play an audible alert. Select the speaker icon in the message box to mute the alert.

How to use ADS-B on the Skydio X10 Controller

[note]Configure ADS-B settings in the Global Settings Menu > Display > Air Traffic.[/note]

Sound Menu

You can use the new sound menu to set the volume for audible ADS-B and shutter sound notifications. The default volume for sound is set to 0 (silent). The slider adjusts the volume.

[note]Configure sound volume in the Global Settings Menu > Sound.[/note]

Slant Range in Crosshair Coordinates (DTED)

Operators can now maintain awareness of range-to-target in camera views, with slant range distance. The system displays the direct line-of-sight distance from the drone to the ground intercept point at the crosshairs, giving an immediate range to target. This aids coordination with supporting units while providing a real-time range reference to help pilots maintain safe standoff distances.

• The vehicle must be within the DTED map area for the duration of the flight, for crosshair coordinates or slant range data to be reported.
• Crosshair coordinates must be enabled and available.

• The slant range will be displayed in meters or feet, depending on the unit of measurement selected.

  

How to use Crosshair Coordinates (DTED) on Skydio X10 / X10D

New Battery Alerts

A new set of controller battery notifications has been introduced:

• At 10%, you will receive a Controller Battery Low warning
• At 5%, a Controller Battery Critical alert appears with an audible tone
• If the controller powers off mid-flight, the drone will honor the Lost Connection settings

NAVIGATION

New Telemetry Options

• Wind Speed and Direction: The Flight Deck now features a telemetry option for displaying the current wind speed and an arrow indicating the wind direction relative to the drone’s heading. The arrow rotates as the drone turns, allowing the pilot to determine whether they are flying into a headwind, a tailwind, or a crosswind. This helps pilots assess flight characteristics and anticipate higher battery use during returns.
• Time Elapsed: Flight Deck now offers a telemetry option that displays the amount of time the drone has been in flight. A clock icon shows a running timer that starts at launch.
• Time Until Shutdown: A new telemetry option displays the estimated remaining flight time until the battery capacity reaches zero, represented with an hourglass icon. The value is an estimate only and can vary significantly with wind, flight mode, or payload conditions.
• Battery Temperature: Pilots can now view live battery temperature as a selectable telemetry item, displayed as a thermometer icon. The value is displayed in units (°C or °F) according to the controller settings. Understanding the battery temperature is especially important in cold conditions to monitor performance.

Understanding telemetry on Skydio X10D

[note]Select data to display in the telemetry bar in the Global Settings Menu> Display > Telemetry.[/note]

Range Limits Geofence

Setting Range Limits allows for precise control over mission boundaries, improves safety, and satisfies key regulatory requirements. Pilots define a maximum range (164 to 32,808 ft / 50 to 10,000 m) that the drone can fly from the controller using a slider. 

• When the drone reaches the limit, it will stop and hover.
• The geofence is centered on the controller’s GPS position and moves with the pilot as long as the controller's GPS is valid.
• If the controller GPS is lost during flight, the geofence center point freezes at the last valid controller location.
• If the controller has never provided a valid GPS, the center point defaults to the launch location.

How to use Range Limits Geofence on Skydio X10D

[note]Select the range that the X10D vehicle can fly from the controller in the Global Settings Menu > Flight Controls > Limits > Toggle on/off > Maximum Range from 164 to 32,808 feet.[/note]

Low Speed Mode

Toggle on Low Speed Mode for a maximum flight speed of 3 m/s for safer operation around people.

[note]Toggle Low Speed Mode on/off in the Global Settings Menu > Flight Controls > Limits.[/note]

2.4 GHz Power

• 2.4 GHz High Power Default: The system now defaults to 2.4 GHz maximum power when first paired or re-paired for best performance out of the box. A one-time gate screen alerts the operator that the system is in high-power mode, ensuring strong connectivity by default, while providing users in restricted regions with a clear prompt to adjust settings if necessary.
• 2.4 GHz Power Settings Update: Power level settings in the 2.4 GHz band have been refined to better align with regulatory limits while maintaining strong link performance. These adjustments ensure optimal operation in regulated environments, with no changes to the other bands.
• Additional Radio Settings Changes:
  • A message displays Save Configuration to Drone replacing Finish in the Radio menu
  • The Radio menu now warns the user when changes require saving, reducing setup mistakes. 

[note]To adjust the power level, select the Global Settings Menu > Information > Drone ID > Radio > Power Level.[/note]

ENHANCEMENTS

Attitude Mode 

Attitude Mode L2 Button Configuration: The L2 button on the controller can now be assigned to Attitude mode, giving pilots flexible, intentional control. By default, L2 has no assigned function. Operators may choose between:

• Disabled: No ATTI function on L2 (default)
• Hold-to-ATTI: Enter ATTI mode only while holding L2.
• Toggle-ATTI:  Press L2 once to enter ATTI mode, press again to exit

This update replaces the previous behavior where the L2 button was assigned Hold-to-ATTI by default. The new default ensures that pilots cannot inadvertently switch into ATTI unless they deliberately configure the L2 button.

[note]Configure input mapping in the Global Settings Menu > Flight Controls > Controls.[/note]

How to fly in Attitude Mode on X10D

Persistent GPS Off option

When GPS Navigation is turned off, a new option to "Keep GPS Navigation Off" will be displayed, allowing users to save time and ensure consistent behavior between missions if they fly repeatedly with GPS Navigation disabled. If the toggle is enabled, GPS Navigation will remain off across flights and power cycles. If the GPS Navigation Off toggle is not enabled, the system defaults to GPS Navigation On.

How to use Anchor Point on Skydio X10D

[note]Configure the GPS Navigation toggle in the Global Settings Menu > Sensing.[/note]

Improved Anchor Point Experience

Tap to Set Anchor Point Heading: The heading marker is now fully interactive in the live camera view. Users can tap to place or move it, without breaking camera or vehicle movement, making alignment faster and more intuitive. 

Anchor Point Heading: The heading camera view is now fully interactive when setting the Anchor Point heading. Pilots can tap anywhere on the view, even if the marker was previously offscreen, to place or reposition the heading marker, and can rotate or tilt the drone freely without breaking the interaction.

How to use Anchor Point on Skydio X10D

Screen Capture Button Mapping

Users with special access to the screen record feature can now assign the screenshot function to a controller button through the button mapping menu. This enhancement makes it easier to capture the flight screen without interfering with flight or camera controls. The screenshot function can be mapped to either C1, C2, C3, or R2.

[note]Configure input mapping in the Global Settings Menu > Flight Controls > Controls.[/note]

Radio Connections

The Radio menu now includes options for internal and external connections. The internal radio, or controller, is the default. The external option is designed for future hardware expansion.

ATAK Sharing

The controller’s ATAK Sharing menu and status now clearly indicate that the feature only shares Cursor on Target (CoT) messages to the TAK network, not video, telemetry, or UAS Tool command/control

Radio Channel as Default Telemetry

The Flight Deck now shows Radio Channel (frequency band and channel number) as a default telemetry item, replacing GPS Satellites. This provides users with immediate visibility into their operating frequency, enhancing awareness and reducing the risk of unintentionally launching on the wrong frequency.

[note]Select the telemetry displayed on the flight screen in the Global Settings Menu > Display > Telemetry.[/note]

INTEGRATIONS

Unified KLV Metadata Across All Video Outputs

Tactical ISR users can now rely on a consistent, standards-compliant metadata experience across every video output, improving interoperability, post-mission analysis, and real-time situational awareness. Both electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) video now carry MISB 0903 target metadata and MISB 0601 telemetry metadata, regardless of whether they are viewed live or saved for later use. KLV in saved files is available as a special access feature, while KLV in MAVLink RTSP streams is an optional configuration for customers whose GCS supports it. Controller-based RTSP streams with KLV are included by default in the X10D Core License.

MAVLink

This release introduces significant usability enhancements to Microhard (MH) radio settings, labeling, and the user interface, with a focus on maximizing performance within regulatory limits and minimizing the risk of user misconfiguration.

• Attitude Mode
• Home position
• Low launch
• Dynamic Channel Switching
• RAS-A compliant Autonomy E

[note]For additional information, visit Skydio Control & Telemetry ICD.[/note]

THIRD PARTY ATTACHMENTS

Actuate 3rd-Party Accessories with Quick Actions

Developers can now test and operate powered third-party attachments directly from the flight deck. Each detected accessory side (left or right) appears as a quick action button, opening a panel that shows the current GPIO state and includes a clear “Slide to Toggle” control. This makes it safe and intuitive to actuate accessories both before and during flight, without requiring custom tooling or flight-only workflows.

Configure Carried Attachments (Unpowered, non-USB)

Operators can now manually declare when the drone is carrying an unpowered third-party accessory, even without a USB-C connection or power detection. A new 3rd Party Attachments tab in the Attachments menu allows the operator to enable the left and right attachment bays. The drone applies the correct obstacle avoidance behavior and flight characteristics. Unlike powered accessories, which appear automatically and can be actuated via quick actions, this setting ensures unpowered attachments are still accounted for in mission planning and flight safety.

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Skydio X10D Manuals, Guides, and Resources

How to update your Skydio X10D

[note]If you need assistance, please reach out to: FedSupport@skydio.us[/note]

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