USV Pilot

Saildrone Surveyor fires JAGM during US Navy RIMPAC exercise. Saildrone and Lockheed Martin have demonstrated a new armed unmanned surface vessel capability after successfully launching Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles from a Saildrone Surveyor during the US Navy's Rim of the Pacific exercise. Saildrone and Lockheed Martin have successfully integrated and fired the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) from a Saildrone Surveyor unmanned surface vessel (USV) during the US Navy's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, marking the first missile launch from a Saildrone platform. The demonstration, conducted off Hawaii under the US Navy's Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX), involved two JAGM launches from the 20-meter Surveyor USV. The companies said the test demonstrated how commercially developed autonomous maritime platforms can be rapidly integrated with operational weapon systems for naval missions. The armed Surveyor operated in coordination with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group and used targeting information provided through the Navy's Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES), a remotely operated combat system. During the demonstration, the USV acted on targeting data associated with a surrogate high-speed surface craft, demonstrating the ability to connect an autonomous surface platform with a broader naval sensor and command network. Table of Contents JAGM adds kinetic capability to Saildrone Surveyor. Lockheed Martin integrated a dual JAGM launcher onto the bow of the Saildrone Surveyor. JAGM is a precision-guided missile developed by Lockheed Martin for use against a range of stationary and moving targets. Integrating the weapon with an unmanned surface vessel expands the potential employment of the missile beyond its established airborne applications. According to Saildrone, the RIMPAC demonstration followed approximately six months of joint development between the two companies after they established a strategic partnership in October 2025. The live-fire event is particularly significant as the US Navy examines ways to increase the number and distribution of weapons available across its fleet. Armed USVs could supplement crewed warships by carrying additional effectors while allowing commanders to distribute sensors and weapons across a larger operating area. Such platforms could also provide persistent presence in contested maritime environments without requiring personnel to remain aboard the vessel. Surveyor demonstrates electronic warfare capability. The RIMPAC activity extended beyond the JAGM firing. Saildrone said the Surveyor was also equipped with a passive electronic warfare sensor that detected, classified and identified a surrogate threat radar while operating in conjunction with an MH-60 helicopter. The demonstration highlighted the Surveyor's potential to perform multiple missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic support, targeting and kinetic operations. The 20-meter (66-foot) Surveyor has been designed for extended autonomous missions and can remain deployed for months. Its sensor suite can incorporate radar, electro-optical/infrared systems, passive acoustic sensors, Automatic Identification System data and machine-learning-based detection capabilities. The addition of a missile launcher introduces a kinetic element to a platform originally developed primarily around persistent maritime sensing and ocean-mapping missions. Saildrone plans larger armed Spectre USV. The companies are now looking toward integrating heavier weapon and sensor packages aboard Saildrone Spectre, a substantially larger autonomous vessel currently under development. The 52-meter (170-foot) Spectre is expected to displace approximately 300 tonnes at full payload and reach speeds of up to 30 knots. Its concealed mission deck is designed to accommodate as many as five 20-foot containers or two 40-foot containers, allowing different payload configurations depending on operational requirements. One planned capability is integration of Lockheed Martin's Mk 70 launcher, which could provide the larger USV with significantly greater missile capacity than the JAGM-equipped Surveyor. Towed arrays are also being considered for anti-submarine warfare missions. Saildrone plans two configurations of the Spectre. One would incorporate the company's wing technology for efficient and comparatively quiet long-duration operations, while another would use a lower-profile configuration optimized for higher-speed missions. Armed USVs could expand distributed naval firepower. The Saildrone-Lockheed Martin demonstration reflects growing US Navy interest in combining autonomous vessels with distributed sensors, command networks and weapons. Rather than relying exclusively on large crewed combatants to carry missiles, armed USVs could potentially disperse additional weapons across a carrier strike group or other naval formation. This could increase the number of available firing platforms while complicating an adversary's targeting problem. The concept nevertheless depends on reliable communications, command-and-control architecture, autonomous navigation, target identification and strict human control over weapons employment. For Saildrone and Lockheed Martin, the successful JAGM launches represent an important step toward demonstrating that autonomous surface platforms can move beyond surveillance and reconnaissance roles into operational combat applications. Future integration of larger launch systems aboard the Spectre could further expand the role of unmanned surface vessels in anti-surface warfare, counter-unmanned aircraft missions, electronic warfare and distributed maritime operations.

Video: unmanned surface vessel fires 2 JAGM Missiles during RIMPAC 2026 off Hawaii. Saildrone and Lockheed Martin have launched two Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) from an unmanned surface vessel during the U.S. Navy's RIMPAC 2026 exercise off Hawaii. The test marked the first missile launch from a Saildrone unmanned surface vessel (USV). It was conducted under the U.S. Navy Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX), in coordination with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group. The Saildrone Surveyor used the Navy's Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES), a remotely operated combat system, and acted on target data for a surrogate high-speed surface craft. Latest videos. Video Muted The companies said the system went from the initial concept to the live-fire demonstration in six months. Missile test at RIMPAC The 20-metre (66-foot) Saildrone Surveyor was fitted with a JAGM dual launcher and ARES fire-control command-and-control system. During the exercise, the USV launched two JAGM rounds against a surrogate target. The test was carried out near Hawaii as part of RIMPAC 2026, described by the companies as the world's largest international naval exercise. The Surveyor also demonstrated a passive electronic warfare capability during the exercise. Working with an MH-60S helicopter, the system detected, classified and identified a surrogate threat radar system. The demonstrations showed the platform operating with both electronic warfare sensors and a missile system. Six months of development The live-fire test followed six months of joint work between Saildrone and Lockheed Martin. The two companies formed a strategic partnership in October 2025. The partnership combines Saildrone's commercially developed USVs with Lockheed Martin's combat-tested weapons and defense systems. "This successful live-fire demonstration was the result of pairing one of the most tried and trusted munitions with the most operationally deployed class of USV on the planet," said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone's founder and CEO. Jenkins said the test provides a kinetic capability for the Surveyor and also helps the companies prepare to integrate more advanced systems, including the Lockheed Martin Mk 70 launcher, onto the larger Saildrone Spectre. Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager of Sensors, Effectors and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin, said the companies would continue investing in capabilities intended to speed up the deployment of unmanned and autonomous naval technologies. Larger Saildrone Spectre The RIMPAC test is part of a series of planned integrations involving Saildrone's larger Spectre USV. The Spectre is 52 metres (170 feet) long and is designed to carry larger, containerised mission systems and payloads. The first vessel is currently under construction. With a full payload, the USV is expected to weigh about 300 tonnes and reach speeds of up to 30 knots. Its concealed payload deck can hold up to five 20-foot containers or two 40-foot containers. Spectre will have two variants, with or without Saildrone's patented Wing. The company says this will provide options for near-silent transits for acoustically sensitive missions or a lower profile for high-speed kinetic operations. Future plans include integrating the Lockheed Martin Mk 70 launcher and towed arrays designed to support anti-submarine warfare. What the Surveyor can do? The Saildrone Surveyor is a 20-metre USV designed for long-duration maritime missions. These include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, deep-ocean mapping and other maritime operations. It can operate autonomously in harsh environments and remain on station for months. The vessel uses radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors, machine-learning-based detection, passive acoustics and AIS to maintain situational awareness. The JAGM dual launcher was newly integrated with the platform for the RIMPAC demonstration. Lockheed Martin said JAGM uses a dual-mode seeker combining semi-active laser and millimetre-wave technology. The companies said the missile has demonstrated performance across air, maritime and ground domains and can support counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) missions. References: lockheedmartin, Saildrone Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Marine Insight make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. Marine Insight is not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.