Saildrone Surveyor Gen 2
The Saildrone Surveyor Gen 2 is a 20-meter unmanned surface vehicle designed for open-ocean hydrographic surveys, maritime domain awareness, and defense operations. Built to ABS Light Warship code with a 15-ton displacement and 300 lb payload capacity, it operates using solar and wind power with supervised-autonomous capability.
Overview and Use Cases
The Saildrone Surveyor Gen 2 is a 20-meter (65-foot) unmanned surface vehicle manufactured by Saildrone. The platform is designed for open-ocean hydrographic surveys, maritime domain awareness operations, and defense missions including anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications.
Key Capabilities
- Autonomous Operation: Executes survey and ISR tasks with supervised-autonomous capability, operating within a command-and-control framework with near-real-time data streaming to human operators
- Long-Duration Deployment: Equipped for extended operational periods without human intervention during task execution
- Payload Integration: Accommodates mission-specific sensor packages within payload constraints
- Data Streaming: Maintains near-real-time communication with operator stations during deployment
Specifications
- Hull Classification: Built to ABS Light Warship code
- Displacement Weight: 15 tons
- Length: 20 meters (65 feet)
- Payload Capacity: 300 lbs
- Power Generation: Solar and wind-powered hybrid system
- Operational Setup: Launch and recovery require Saildrone personnel (3 personnel, 5 days)
Applications
- Hydrographic surveying and oceanographic data collection
- Maritime domain awareness and ocean monitoring
- Anti-submarine warfare support
- Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions
- Extended-duration ocean surveillance operations
Manufacturer Background
Saildrone, headquartered in Alameda, CA, was founded in 2012. The company operates a fleet with over 12 years of operational history and more than 2 million nautical miles of cumulative deployment experience. The platform has secured significant investment, including a $50 million strategic investment from Lockheed Martin and a $60 million Danish-led funding round, with total funding exceeding $345 million.
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