Here's a reality check for anyone who thought buying American-made drones would be straightforward: Skydio, our nation's largest and most promising drone manufacturer, just got slapped with Chinese sanctions that exposed a brutal truth—even "Made in USA" drones still depend on Chinese batteries.
The Battery Crisis Nobody Saw Coming
In October 2024, China placed Skydio on its sanctions list, essentially cutting off the company from its battery suppliers. The result? Skydio had to tell customers they'd be limited to one battery per drone.
🔋 The Supply Chain Reality
- • China produces 99% of the world's drone batteries
- • Skydio manufactures in the USA but sources batteries from China
- • New battery sources won't come online until Spring 2025
- • 10 Skydio executives, including CEO Adam Bry, were personally sanctioned
The X10: A Drone Built for Serious Work
Autonomous AI
10x more onboard compute power than previous models. Flies itself around obstacles.
NightSense
Full autonomous flight in complete darkness. No lights, no GPS, no problem.
The Bottom Line
Skydio represents America's best shot at a world-class drone manufacturer, but the battery crisis shows how far we have to go. The X10 is genuinely impressive technology—probably the best autonomous drone in the world. But until we solve the supply chain problem, "Made in USA" will remain an asterisk-laden promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skydio really American-made?
Skydio manufactures drones in Hayward, California, but like most electronics companies, relies on global supply chains for components—including Chinese batteries.
What is the Skydio X10 used for?
The X10 is designed for enterprise and government applications: infrastructure inspection, public safety, military reconnaissance, and similar professional use cases.