Saildrone secures US$50 million from Lockheed Martin to boost US Navy USV development
Saildrone has secured a US$50 million investment from Lockheed Martin, marking a commercial partnership that pairs one of the world’s most renowned defence technology companies with Saildrone’s operationally proven uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) capabilities. According to Saildrone CEO Richard Jenkins: “Together, we will rapidly equip Saildrone USVs with all-domain defence technology for lethal military applications.”
The partnership integrates advanced defence systems with Saildrone’s expertise in uncrewed surface operations to support the US Navy’s vision for uncrewed surface missions – from fleet defence and undersea surveillance to reconnaissance and strike roles. Initial efforts will focus on integrating Lockheed Martin’s JAGM Quad Launcher (JQL) into the Saildrone Surveyor platform using an open architecture framework and secure command-and-control.
Saildrone is also developing larger USV classes designed to carry heavier payloads and expanded capabilities, including the Lockheed Martin Mk70 VLS launcher and thin-line towed arrays.
From San Francisco to Hawaii
Saildrone’s rapid rise traces back to 2013, when a wind-powered USV sailed from San Francisco to Hawaii in 33 days, covering 2,200 nautical miles. The feat showcased a compelling blend of age-old sailing technology and modern autonomy. It also demonstrated that long-endurance uncrewed missions across the world’s oceans were not only possible but practical. Jenkins notes that the potential became evident during that mission – a platform capable of reaching nearly anywhere in ice-free waters and remaining on station indefinitely offers wide operational value, particularly in defence and maritime security. Since then, Saildrone USVs have accumulated more than two million nautical miles on missions ranging from maritime security to environmental monitoring – from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
Jenkins adds: “For the last ten years, we have focused on evolving the reliability, endurance and autonomy of the Saildrone platform, which has been demonstrated in over two million nautical miles of active customer missions. With our technology proven, de-risked and mission-ready, now is the right time to augment Saildrone USVs with sophisticated payloads to meet warfighter needs. This collaboration will give Saildrone the tools we need to transform the capabilities of our platforms – to include electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, sophisticated surveillance and reconnaissance while also deploying kinetic effects – all seamlessly integrated with Lockheed Martin’s trusted command, control and fire control systems.”
