RIMPAC
US Pacific Fleet's biennial multinational naval exercise off Hawaii, held since 1971.
RIMPAC 2026, the 30th edition, ran off Hawaii from 24 June to 31 July with 30 nations taking part. Two Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles left an uncrewed Surveyor-class Saildrone during it, in a Lockheed Martin demonstration.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Saildrone fired two missiles at RIMPAC; is a missile-armed drone boat now routine?
Timeline for RIMPAC
Mentioned in: Stark and MBDA plan Sea Venom on a USV
Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaMentioned in: Saildrone fires two JAGMs at RIMPAC
Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaBackground
RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, is a multinational maritime exercise held every two years in and around Hawaii under the US Pacific Fleet. It began in 1971 and is described as the world's largest international maritime exercise.
The 2026 edition was the 30th (USNI News). It ran from 24 June to 31 July with 30 nations, more than 30 surface ships, five submarines and about 30,000 personnel (Sea Power Magazine).
RIMPAC also gives suppliers a showcase for equipment no navy has yet bought. In 2026 a Surveyor-class uncrewed surface vessel from Saildrone launched two Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles at RIMPAC. The shot showed that the two suppliers could join a missile to a drone boat; it was not evidence of a funded fleet programme.
