U.S. Air Force deploys Skiron X drone in counter-UAS training

The United States Air Force used the Skiron X hybrid unmanned aircraft as a simulated enemy drone during counter-UAS training at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany on Feb. 19, 2026, according to a statement from the 7th Army Training Command.

Instructors supporting the Air Force’s Joint Multi-Domain Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Course flew the Aurora Flight Sciences–built aircraft to replicate hostile unmanned aerial systems during live training scenarios. The exercise formed part of an assessment by U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa to evaluate expanding the course into a multi-service training environment as unmanned threats continue to grow.

The 7th Army Training Command said the Grafenwoehr Training Area remains a primary location for U.S., NATO, and partner force testing, experimentation, readiness training, and interoperability exercises. The use of a realistic drone surrogate allowed operators to train against dynamic aerial targets designed to mirror real battlefield conditions.

The Skiron X, developed by Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, is classified as a Group 2 unmanned aerial system combining electric vertical takeoff and landing capability with fixed-wing endurance. According to technical specifications, the aircraft launches and lands vertically using lift rotors while transitioning to fixed-wing flight for extended range operations.

Skiron X in the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 19, 2026. (Photo by Collin Mackall)

The platform is powered by a lithium-ion battery and carries an integrated electro-optical and infrared payload designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Documentation provided by Aurora Flight Sciences states the system can operate for more than 3.5 hours and reach ranges of up to 47 miles depending on communications configuration.

During the training event, instructors used the drone to simulate adversary reconnaissance platforms that counter-UAS operators may encounter in deployed environments. The Joint Multi-Domain Counter UAS Operator Course trains personnel to detect, track, and respond to unmanned aerial threats across land, air, and joint operational environments.

According to the training command, the evaluation also examined whether the course could expand beyond Air Force participation into a broader joint framework involving multiple military services. The initiative reflects increased emphasis on integrated counter-drone operations among NATO forces operating in Europe.

Hybrid VTOL unmanned aircraft such as Skiron X are designed for expeditionary use, allowing launch without runways or auxiliary equipment while maintaining longer flight duration compared with traditional multirotor drones. The system’s modular payload architecture allows mission flexibility, including ISR, communications relay, or electronic warfare configurations.

Aurora Flight Sciences designed the aircraft for simplified operation by non-pilot personnel using mission planning software that enables rapid training and in-flight adjustments. The platform’s compact deployment footprint allows transport by standard vehicles with a small crew, supporting mobile operations in dispersed environments.