Federal investigators announced on Monday a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to those responsible for stealing four military drone systems from Fort Campbell last year.
The four Skydio X10D Drone Systems were taken from the 326th Division Engineer Battalion between Nov. 21 and 25. Fort Campbell officials said the drones were last seen at the installation, which straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee border and is home to the 101st Airborne Division, on Nov. 21.
Skydio X10D drones are advanced systems designed for government and military use. According to Skydio’s website, the drones are equipped with artificial intelligence navigation technology, multiple attachment bays, and thermal imaging cameras that allow them to operate in complex environments and assist in surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The Army released surveillance images of two individuals believed to be connected to the theft. Investigators are also searching for the vehicles potentially involved in the incident, including a light-colored sedan and a dark-colored truck.
Officials have not said whether the stolen drones contained sensitive equipment or classified technology, but the theft has drawn new attention because of the war in Iran.
The renewed interest in the drone theft comes as the FBI issued a warning to California‘s governor and law enforcement officials about the possibility of an Iranian drone attack targeting the state.
The bureau issued the alert last month and said it acquired information in February that showed Iran was planning to “conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States Homeland.” The FBI issued the warning prior to the start of Operation Epic Fury.
Iran has already targeted U.S. military assets in the Middle East, including in operations in Kuwait.
FBI WARNS OF IRANIAN DRONE ATTACK IN CALIFORNIA
Six U.S. service members were killed during the early days of the conflict that began Feb. 28 after a large Iranian strike on a U.S. facility in Kuwait. A seventh soldier was killed at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia as a result of retaliatory attacks from Iran.
Fort Campbell is one of the U.S. Army’s most prominent installations and serves as a major training and deployment hub for air assault forces. Located about 60 miles northwest of Nashville, the base supports thousands of active-duty soldiers and plays a central role in U.S. military operations and readiness.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Fort Campbell for comment.
