Small, smart and survivable: Engineering organic ISR for the modern battlefield
Kelsee Hober is an accomplished product leader and aviation expert, skilled in iterative innovation and leadership. Her experience spans roles as a combat pilot and Director of Product Management, as well as a Mission Operations Engineer. A former US Army Aviation Officer and UH-60 Pilot at Fort Bragg, NC, she served for over seven years, demonstrating leadership and resilience in three combat tours. Kelsee holds a Bachelor’s in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point (2008-2012), exemplifying her dedication to excellence and innovation.
Nicole Bonk is a distinguished flight testing professional with extensive experience in the tech industry, currently leading as the Director of Flight Testing at Skydio. Based in San Mateo, California, she oversees Flight Test Operations, Engineering, and Mobile Quality Assurance, focusing on the comprehensive validation and testing of new software and hardware. Before Skydio, Nicole played key roles at GoPro and Google X, where she led hardware and firmware testing and contributed to innovative flight test engineering projects. Her expertise and leadership ensure Skydio's cutting-edge position in autonomous drone technology.
Jonathan Montague is a dynamic leader in the aerospace and unmanned system industry, with a strong foundation in various commercial and industrial fields. He holds a BS in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. Specializing in Solution Engineering, Tech Startup Development, Product Management, and Commercial Drone Operations, Jonathan excels in bringing innovative commercial applications to market. His career spans diverse sectors including film & television, construction, military, and utilities, where he leverages his creative problem-solving and technical implementation skills. Passionate about autonomy, aerospace, and data-driven intelligence, Jonathan combines high-level management with deep technical know-how to drive projects and initiatives to success
Chris Stock is a seasoned professional in program management, systems engineering, and technology innovation. He has a proven track record of leading teams in both the Department of Defense and NASA. Currently, Chris is at the forefront of driving innovation as he leads a technology innovation team that is dedicated to exploring, developing, and experimenting with disruptive and innovative technologies that will shape the future of warfare.
Today, the world is beginning to recognize the value of small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) for defense, akin to the cell phone revolution. The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the potential of drones, setting the stage for a paradigm shift in modern warfare strategies, fueled by sUAS. Innovations in drone technology are poised to transform the battlefield as we know it. These advancements underscore the critical role of technology in shaping future defense strategies, offering an unmatched advantage in complex and rapidly evolving operational theaters. Drones are not only enhancing the capabilities of armed forces and security agencies but are also setting new standards for efficiency, safety, and tactical superiority on the global stage.
This discussion unveils the remarkable features and significant impact of X10D, a drone that epitomizes the fusion of AI-driven autonomy, superior thermal imaging, and sophisticated decision-making processes to provide the optimal solution for on demand organic ISR. Using our commitment to reliability and trust in our products, we’ll discuss our rigorous software development and flight testing regimen, a process honed through over 10 years and three generations of UAS development. We’ll spotlight X10D’s trajectory over the coming months, with a particular focus on enhancing electronic warfare resilience (EWR) and survivability.
Key Takeaways -Revolutionary defense capabilities - unprecedented AI autonomy and thermal imaging that significantly enhances military strategy and efficiency Commitment to reliability and innovation - testing and feedback-informed S/W development underscores our commitment to creating cutting-edge drones -Focus on survivability and adaptability - focused on resilience, advanced return-to-home, 3rd party payload compatibility and a sneak peek at our upcoming innovative drone technology solutions. -Setting the stage for future advancements - exploring uncrewed systems’ potential to redefine efficiency, safety, and tactical global dominance
This deep dive is designed to ignite curiosity and foster further inquiry, setting the stage for the next wave of advancements in military and security operations. Join us as we explore how the integration of cutting-edge uncrewed systems like Skydio X10D is not just enhancing operational readiness but also broadening the horizons of strategic capabilities, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, safety, and tactical dominance on a global scale.