Lockheed and Saildrone Equip Naval Drones with Missile Launchers
Saildrone has announced a partnership with Lockheed Martin to enhance the capabilities of its unmanned surface vessels (USVs) by integrating missile launchers. This collaboration aims to meet the growing demand from global navies for armed naval drones.
New Capabilities for Saildrone Vessels
The 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor will be equipped with the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launcher developed by Lockheed Martin. This advancement is expected to attract interest from navies looking to enhance their maritime defense strategies.
Retired Vice Admiral John Mustin, president of Saildrone, noted that navies require systems that not only provide awareness but also contribute to deterrence. He emphasized that unmanned solutions can play a significant role in defense.
Future Developments
- Larger Saildrone USVs are being considered for additional Lockheed Martin weaponry.
- Potential integration of the Mk 70 Vertical Launching System, a containerized missile launcher.
- Artificial intelligence will enhance naval capabilities, part of Lockheed Martin’s $50 million investment.
Mustin clarified that while Saildrone aims for increased autonomy in its USVs, any strike capability will require human oversight. The focus is on data processing and sensing ability, rather than on creating fully autonomous weapons.
Shifts in Naval Strategies
Global navies, including that of the United States, are moving toward a hybrid fleet that combines manned and unmanned vessels. Former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday stated that the U.S. plans to develop up to 500 vessels, comprising 350 crewed ships and 150 large uncrewed surface vessels.
The U.S. Congress has allocated over $3 billion for surface vessel procurement through the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act.’ This includes $1.5 billion for expanding small USV production and $2.1 billion for developing medium vessels.
Demonstrations and Challenges
Saildrone is set to conduct proof-of-concept integrations and a live-fire demonstration next summer. Historically, arming naval drones faced technological and political challenges, limiting their use to surveillance.
The ongoing Ukraine conflict has shifted perspectives, demonstrating how weaponized USVs can effectively target larger assets. However, Mustin cautions that the effectiveness of these strategies may not be universally applicable across different conflict zones.
Over the past year, Saildrone platforms have amassed over 10,000 days at sea, traversing more than 380,000 nautical miles and detecting over 2.3 million vessels. This milestone underlines the growing significance of unmanned maritime technology in defense operations.
