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Saildrone
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Saildrone

US maker of the Voyager uncrewed surface vessel.

Saildrone, the US maker of the Voyager uncrewed surface vessel, won a $16.3m US Navy task order on 12 August 2026 extending Voyager's patrol time in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Last refreshed: 12 August 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why is the US Navy paying more to keep an unarmed robot boat patrolling the Caribbean?

Timeline for Saildrone

#11 12 Aug

Won a $16.3m US Navy task order extending Voyager USV time on station

Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: Saildrone wins a $16.3m Caribbean order
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Background

Saildrone is a US company that makes the Voyager, a wind and solar powered uncrewed surface vessel that patrols for weeks at a time carrying cameras and radar rather than weapons. The US Navy has used Voyager for maritime surveillance in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

An earlier Saildrone sighting was credited with helping the Navy make an $81m cocaine seizure. On 12 August 2026, the Navy awarded Saildrone a further $16.3m task order extending Voyager's time on station, a renewal of existing work rather than a shift to a different design, and a sign the Navy is satisfied with the platform's performance so FAR.

Common Questions
What did the US Navy pay Saildrone for?
A $16.3m task order extending Voyager uncrewed surface vessel time on station in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.Source: UK Defence Journal
What is Saildrone's Voyager used for?
A wind and solar powered uncrewed surface vessel carrying cameras and radar for persistent maritime surveillance; an earlier sighting was credited in an $81m cocaine seizure.Source: UK Defence Journal
How much was Saildrone's Caribbean patrol contract extension worth?