● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 neutral
US Navy's Saildrone Surveyor USV successfully launches missiles and performs EW tasks
Key points
- Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 USV launched two JAGM missiles.
- The USV demonstrated passive electronic warfare capabilities.
- Testing occurred during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercises.
- Development and integration with Navy systems took six months.
Armed Drone Sailboat Test
The U.S. Navy conducted live-fire exercises in the Pacific, successfully testing the Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV). This drone, co-developed with Lockheed Martin, launched two combat-proven Joint-Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercises. The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group coordinated with the Saildrone during these tests.
Missile and Electronic Warfare Capabilities
The Saildrone, controlled by the Navy's Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES), successfully fired the JAGM missiles, which feature both semi-active laser and millimeter-wave radar guidance for all-weather effectiveness. Additionally, the drone demonstrated its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities by coordinating sensors with an MH-60S helicopter to detect, classify, and identify a surrogate threat.
Rapid Development and Integration
Development of the Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 USV with JAGM integration began in October 2025. The project aimed to combine Saildrone's unmanned surface vehicles with Lockheed Martin's effectors. The successful live-fire demonstration at RIMPAC 2026 occurred within six months of the project's start, showcasing rapid integration into the Navy fleet environment.
Future Plans
Lockheed Martin, Saildrone, and the U.S. Navy plan further tests for the seafaring USV. This demonstration is expected to de-risk larger payload integrations for the Saildrone Spectre, which is designed to carry more substantial containerized capabilities, including the Lockheed Martin Mk 70 launcher and SURTASS Towed Array.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
The U.S. Navy successfully tested the Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in live-fire exercises, launching two Joint-Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) and demonstrating electronic warfare capabilities. This marks the first time the Navy has integrated an armed drone sailboat into a carrier strike group, indicating a shift towards autonomous combat assets.