Lockheed Martin and Saildrone have successfully fired two rounds from a Saildrone Surveyor-class unmanned surface vessel (USV) equipped with a Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) Dual Launcher and the Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES) fire control command-and-control system, marking a major milestone in autonomous naval warfare.
The live-fire demonstration took place near Hawaii under the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX) sponsorship during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026. The Saildrone Surveyor worked alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group, demonstrating interoperability by engaging target data for a surrogate high-speed surface craft. The achievement progressed from concept to demonstration in just six months through collaboration with the U.S. Navy.
The same Saildrone Surveyor also showcased a passive electronic warfare capability, successfully detecting, classifying, and identifying a surrogate threat radar system while working alongside an MH-60S helicopter.
Lockheed Martin and Saildrone are integrating lethal, combat-proven defense technology onto commercial unmanned surface vessels. Additional tests are planned using Saildrone Spectre-class platforms designed to support larger containerized capabilities, including the Lockheed Martin Mk 70 launcher and the SURTASS towed array.
Key Points
- Fast fielding of commercial technology for defense applications
- Investment to accelerate autonomous naval technologies
- Ready-to-deploy proven capabilities
- JAGM dual-mode seeker (SAL + MMW) providing all-weather counter-UAS precision
“Lockheed Martin and Saildrone are leading the way to leverage industry strength to deliver autonomous platforms with containerized capabilities for national defense.”
— Paul Lemmo, Vice President and General Manager, Sensors, Effectors and Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin
“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.”
— Richard Jenkins, Founder and CEO, Saildrone
Source: Lockheed Martin
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