Lockheed Martin Invests $50 Million to Weaponize Saildrone Vessels

Lockheed Martin is investing $50 million in Saildrone to integrate lethal combat systems into autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). The partnership aims to combine Saildrone's autonomous platforms with Lockheed Martin's weapons systems to support U.S. Navy missions involving undersea surveillance, reconnaissance, attack, and fleet defense.

Initial development focuses on modifying the 72-foot Saildrone Surveyor vessel to carry the Lockheed JAGM Quad Launcher. The companies are also developing larger USV platforms capable of carrying heavier payloads, including towed-array sonar and the Mk70 VLS launcher for long-range missiles, such as the Tomahawk. These larger vessels are intended to counter China's naval expansion in the Pacific and align with readiness timelines for the Taiwan Strait.

Lockheed Martin will serve as the lead mission integrator, while Saildrone maintains shipbuilding responsibilities. Production of the larger systems will begin at Austal USA in the first quarter of 2026, with live-fire demonstrations scheduled later that year. The initiative adapts naval tactics used by Ukraine in the Black Sea and leverages commercial and defense technologies to increase firepower at scale.