U.S. troops integrate recon drones with Abrams tanks
American soldiers combined reconnaissance drone operations with armored maneuvers during the Army’s large-scale Pegasus Forge training exercise, aiming to advance the service’s Transformation in Contact initiative.
The exercise allowed the 1st Cavalry Division to test new technology in realistic field conditions and gain operational experience integrating unmanned aerial assets directly with tank formations.
During the event, an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operator from the 8th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, launched a Skydio X2D Multiband drone from a Bradley Fighting Vehicle to direct the movement of M1 Abrams tanks.
According to Skydio, the X2D Multiband was developed in collaboration with both U.S. and allied defense customers to improve performance across various communication systems. By operating on multiple frequency bands, the system can mitigate challenges such as interference, attenuation, or bandwidth constraints.
Powered by Skydio Autonomy Enterprise, an AI-driven flight engine, the X2D provides 360° obstacle avoidance, autonomous tracking, GPS-denied navigation, and workflow automation. Its dual sensor payload features a color camera and a FLIR thermal sensor, giving operators day-and-night reconnaissance capability.
The X2D was built to exceed the Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) requirements for the U.S. Army. It is ruggedized, foldable, designed and manufactured in the United States, and compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Additional capabilities include an optional Skydio 3D Scan add-on, which automates data capture to generate 3D models with high resolution and complete coverage. The drone has a wireless range of up to 6.2 miles (10 km), an average flight time of 35 minutes, and cybersecurity protection through AES-256 wireless encryption.
The combination of aerial reconnaissance and armored firepower is intended to improve situational awareness and tactical coordination on the battlefield. By deploying the X2D from a forward-positioned Bradley, crews can identify threats, monitor enemy movements, and guide Abrams tanks more effectively in complex terrain.
Pegasus Forge serves as a proving ground for integrating advanced systems into combined-arms operations. The Army says exercises like this are key to refining tactics and ensuring units can adapt quickly to evolving battlefield conditions.
