Skydio Announces New National Security Advisory Board with Leading Experts in Defense and Military Technology

As the world leader in autonomous flight, the leading drone manufacturer in the U.S., awardee on two programs of record with the U.S. military, and a trusted partner to dozens of allied militaries around the world, we at Skydio are acutely aware that: 1. Autonomous drones will define battlefield tactics long into the future and, 2. Skydio will play a critical role in this uncrewed future.

Building on our commitment to serve the Department of Defense and our allies by providing autonomous, reliable, and secure drones to defend democracy and keep fighting forces safe, we are pleased to announce the formation of Skydio’s National Security Advisory Board, which includes Dr. Nadia Schadlow, Peter W. Singer, Lieutenant General (US Air Force Ret.) Kirk Pierce, and Major General (Royal Australian Army Ret.) Mick Ryan, AM. This distinguished group of leaders brings invaluable experience and collective wisdom that will be instrumental in the continued development of our rapidly growing defense and government business.

The National Security Advisory Board will collaborate with our executive team and help guide Skydio’s strategy and tactics in the defense space. The members of the board will convene quarterly and provide guidance on an ad hoc basis to address emerging issues.

Skydio’s Security Advisory Board:

Dr. Nadia Schadlow

Dr. Nadia Schadlow is a preeminent strategist who previously served as the Deputy National Security Advisor and Assistant to the President of the United States. She was the chief architect of the 2017 National Security Strategy. As a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, her work continues to shape major policy discussions on America’s national security innovation base, highlighting crucial intersections between strategy, national security, and technology.

Peter W. Singer

Peter W. Singer is a visionary military futurist and a senior fellow at New America, renowned for his writings on the future of warfare, including robotics and autonomous systems. His influential books and role as a consultant for various military commands underline his deep insights into the technological transformations reshaping defense strategies.

Lieutenant General (US Air Force Ret.) Kirk Pierce

With a career culminating in his role as the Commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region and First Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Northern and U.S. Air Forces Space), Lt. Gen. Pierce brings extensive experience in joint force air component command and control, integrated air and missile defense, and space support operations. His deep expertise in providing defense support of civil authorities in response to natural disasters coupled with his support for NASA’s human space flight programs underscores his profound understanding of national security from both aeronautical and space perspectives.

Major General (Royal Australian Army Ret.) Mick Ryan, AM

An internationally recognized expert on the future of warfare, Mick Ryan, AM, has an extensive military background with the Australian Army, where he held significant command responsibilities and influenced the strategic direction of the Australian Armed Forces and those of many other allied nations. His scholarly work and publications, especially on the integration of advanced technologies in military strategy, continue to contribute to defense innovation and global security.

Once again, we are grateful to welcome this esteemed group of leaders to our National Security Advisory Board – their experience is critical to our ability to address the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.