Lockheed Martin, Saildrone to advance armed USV capabilities for US Navy
The companies will collaborate with the goal of delivering integrations, including on-water, live-fire demonstrations in 2026.
By Anna Ahronheim, Jerusalem Post, October 29, 2025
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-872082
Lockheed Martin is investing $50 million in Saildrone to accelerate the deployment of armed, long-endurance unmanned surface vessels (USV) capable of operating across all maritime domains.
Saildrone USVs have been accomplishing complex maritime missions since 2013, logging over 2 million nautical missions. First deployed by the US Navy in 2021, they are currently operational and working alongside American Sailors in combat theaters around the world.
By integrating Lockheed Martin’s advanced defense payloads, the company’s platform will transition from intelligence and surveillance roles to lethal military applications.
“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,” said Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins in a statement.
“This collaboration will give Saildrone the tools we need to transform the capabilities of our platforms, to include electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, [and] sophisticated surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as deploying kinetic effects, all seamlessly integrated with Lockheed Martin’s trusted command, control, and fire control systems.”
Lockheed Martin’s strategic role
Lockheed Martin brings decades of experience in naval weapons systems and sensor integration. According to the press release, the security, defense, and aerospace contractor will collaborate with Saildrone to accelerate the manufacturing of new larger platforms and integrate its payloads onto a variety of platforms. Lockheed Martin is also investing in its existing products to facilitate fully autonomous operations.“Together, we are combining the most sophisticated commercial and defense technologies to deliver a lethal naval solution at speed and scale. The nation needs this capability to maintain dominance over our adversaries, and we will deliver it,” said Stephanie C. Hill, president of Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin’s strategic role
Lockheed Martin brings decades of experience in naval weapons systems and sensor integration. According to the press release, the security, defense, and aerospace contractor will collaborate with Saildrone to accelerate the manufacturing of new larger platforms and integrate its payloads onto a variety of platforms. Lockheed Martin is also investing in its existing products to facilitate fully autonomous operations.“Together, we are combining the most sophisticated commercial and defense technologies to deliver a lethal naval solution at speed and scale. The nation needs this capability to maintain dominance over our adversaries, and we will deliver it,” said Stephanie C. Hill, president of Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin.
The deal reflects a broader shift in defense strategy, in which autonomy is increasingly central to operational effectiveness. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Red Sea have accelerated the adoption of unmanned maritime systems,
During the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukraine has used USVs and drone swarms to damage and even destroy Russian ships in port and at sea. The Houthis have also deployed UAVs and USVs with notable impact.
There is a growing recognition within the defense sector that maritime autonomy is critical to maintaining strategic advantage, particularly in regions where access and visibility are limited. Defense organizations are investing in new approaches to secure maritime environments, including technologies that can respond faster and operate with greater independence.
Production and deployment timeline
According to Lockheed Martin, work will begin immediately to modify Saildrone's 72-foot-long (22 meters) Surveyor ship, applying an open architecture approach, along with a secure command and control capability to integrate Lockheed Martin’s JAGM Quad Launcher (JQL) system onto the platform.Saildrone’s existing fleet of USVs will continue to support oceanographic and surveillance missions, while the new armed platforms will expand the Navy’s operational reach and deterrence capabilities.
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