US Navy launches missiles from its first drone sailboat — Saildrone Surveyor launches dual JAGM missiles, carrier strike group tests armed USV and electronic warfare
The U.S. Navy successfully tested a sail-powered autonomous drone in live-fire exercises in the Pacific.
In a groundbreaking demonstration of naval technology, the U.S. Navy's Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 successfully launched two Joint-Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM) during live-fire exercises in the Pacific. The sail-powered drone, co-developed by Lockheed Martin, was deployed alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercises.
The Saildrone's primary mission was to showcase its combat capabilities, specifically the deployment of the JAGM missiles, which feature dual guidance modes - a semi-active laser and millimeter-wave radar. These missiles are designed to function effectively in all weather conditions, even in low-visibility maritime environments.
The development of the Saildrone Surveyor SD-3001 with JAGM capabilities has been remarkably swift, with the project commencing in October 2025. The Navy's Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES) was instrumental in integrating the sail-powered drone into the fleet environment, enabling it to coordinate with a helicopter to successfully detect, classify, and identify a surrogate threat during the exercises.
The successful live-fire demonstration of the Saildrone's combat capabilities marks a significant milestone in the Navy's ongoing efforts to integrate unmanned surface vehicles into its fleet. Plans for further tests and trials are already underway, with Lockheed Martin expressing optimism about the potential of the larger Saildrone Spectre to carry even larger payloads.
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