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In a landmark operational test off the coast of Hawaii, Saildrone executed two Joint Air-to-Ground Missile launches from a Saildrone Surveyor unmanned surface vehicle during the US Navy’s Rim of the Pacific exercise.
Sponsored by the US Navy Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX) and coordinated with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group, the operation represents the first-ever missile launch from a Saildrone platform. Enabled by the Navy’s Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES), a remotely operated combat system, the Saildrone Surveyor demonstrated interoperability by acting on target data for a surrogate high-speed surface craft.
In addition to the live-fire test, the RIMPAC deployment highlighted the platform’s versatility through the integration of a passive electronic warfare sensor. Operating in conjunction with an MH-60 aircraft, the sensor successfully detected, classified, and identified a surrogate threat radar system.
The demonstration is the result of six months of joint development between Saildrone and Lockheed Martin, originating from a strategic partnership established in October 2025. The initiative combines commercially proven unmanned surface vehicle technology with combat-ready effectors to address evolving operational requirements.
“This successful live-fire demonstration was the result of pairing one of the most tried and trusted munitions with the most operationally deployed class of USV on the planet,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO. “Not only does this deliver mission-ready, kinetic USV capability today, but it also de-risks and accelerates our journey of fitting more sophisticated kinetic capabilities, like the Mk70 launcher, to our larger platform, the Saildrone Spectre. Saildrone will continue to develop our platform capabilities to meet the rapidly evolving operational requirements of our customers.”
“Lockheed Martin and Saildrone are leading the way to act differently and leverage the strength of the entire industry for our national defense. We will continue to invest in new capabilities ahead of need to accelerate and de-risk deployment of urgently needed defense technologies,” said Paul Lemmo, Vice President and General Manager, Sensors, Effectors and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin.
The 20-meter (66-foot) Saildrone Surveyor is engineered for global missions including persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), deep-ocean mapping, and distributed, long-endurance power projection. Built to operate autonomously for months in harsh marine environments, the Surveyor utilizes radar, EO/IR, machine-learning-based detection, passive acoustics, and AIS to maintain continuous situational awareness alongside the newly integrated JAGM dual launcher.
The successful launch serves as an initial milestone ahead of the launch of Saildrone’s largest platform, the Saildrone Spectre. Currently under construction, the 52-meter (170-foot) Spectre will weigh approximately 300 tonnes fully loaded, reach speeds up to 30 knots, and feature a concealed payload deck accommodating up to five 20-foot containers or two 40-foot containers. Future capabilities for Spectre include the integration of the Lockheed Martin Mk 70 launcher and towed arrays for anti-submarine warfare operations, with variants offered with or without the patented Saildrone Wing to allow either low-profile kinetic strikes or near-silent transits.
