Skydio builds an asymmetrical fixed-wing drone that hits 100 mph

Skydio has revealed an unconventional fixed-wingFixed-wingAn aircraft that uses rigid wings to generate lift from forward motion, rather than spinning rotor blades. Open in glossary camera aircraft called the F10 Lightrunner. Designed for public safety and inspection tasks, the drone features a starkly uneven shape designed to fix a common surveillance problem: wings blocking the view during turns.

The reason for a lopsided frame

Surveillance drones usually watch targets on the ground by circling them. During low-altitude turns, traditional wings or tails often block the camera lens. Skydio engineers resolved this by shifting the camera directly onto a wingtip. As long as the drone circles to the left, the camera maintains a completely clear view.

However, an offset camera adds weight and air resistance to only one side of the craft. Countering this with a second payloadPayloadWhat a rocket carries to space, such as satellites, cargo or people. Open in glossary on the opposite wing would double the drag and slash battery endurance. Instead, Skydio redesigned the entire airframe. The team lengthened the camera-bearing wing to produce extra lift and adjusted the motor positions to balance out the uneven thrust and drag.

Autonomous docking and flight controls

The F10 Lightrunner can fly for up to two hours and reach a top speed of 100 miles per hour. It relies on two motors to enable hovering, which allows it to take off and land without a runwayRunwayHow many months a startup can keep going on the cash it has. Open in glossary. Because the flying wing lacks traditional tail control surfacesControl surfacesMovable parts on an aircraft's wings or tail that guide its direction and keep it steady in flight. Open in glossary, it uses advanced software based on physics models to smoothly transition between hovering and fast forward flight.

Skydio also built a base station called the MegaDock. The dock uses a robotic arm to catch, launch, and recharge up to five F10 drones autonomously. Using dual 5G mobile connections, remote human operators supervise the flights while the system keeps three drones in the air and two charging. For safety during emergency failures, a built-in parachute deploys from the rear so the drone can descend gently over populated areas.