US Navy launches new unmanned ‘Saildrone’

The US Navy launched a “Saildrone” to patrol the waters of the Red Sea, a new system that the Navy hopes will extend its development of artificial intelligence and unmanned vessels.

The 5th Fleet’s Saildrone Explorer is a 23-foot-long, 16-foot-tall unmanned vessel that uses the wind to propel it through the seas. Solar panels help power AI-enabled computers and sensors onboard that steer the vessel and collect data on its surroundings.

The boat is the first of many the Navy hopes to launch from its new “joint hub for Saildrone operations” at the Royal Jordanian Naval Base in Aqaba, Jordan.

Small unmanned systems are becoming increasingly popular for the military’s pursuit of digital operations and services. For the Navy, being able to send unmanned tech to collect data and potentially detect adversary activity is critical on the open sea, and could even be a part of offensive operations one day.