Lockheed Martin invests $50M in Saildrone for USV capabilities

Lockheed Martin is investing $50 million in Saildrone to accelerate unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capabilities for the U.S. and allied navies. This partnership brings together Saildrone’s proven autonomous platforms with our advanced defense technologies to deliver scalable, rapid-fielding solutions in support of the U.S. Navy’s vision for Distributed Maritime Operations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ep_G6piR

Defense giant Lockheed Martin has made a $50 million investment in Saildrone to integrate defense systems into the firm’s unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for use by the U.S. Navy. https://lnkd.in/dD9BJakc

Defense giant Lockheed Martin has made a $50 million investment in Saildrone to integrate defense systems into the firm’s unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for use by the U.S. Navy. https://lnkd.in/dj_Mcfq5

VESSEL REVIEW: US defence technology company Textron Systems Corporation has delivered the first unit in a new class of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) developed for the US Navy. The 24-foot (7.3-metre) 'Tsunami' will be used by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division as a test and evaluation asset for future payload, autonomy, and automatic target recognition USV development. It will also be utilised as an open architecture test platform to support the US Navy in both domestic and international exercises. Textron said the USV’s design focused on being attritable, rapidly deployable, and fully autonomous. As an attritable asset, it is affordable enough to be expendable if mission conditions necessitate, which Textron said aligns perfectly with customer objectives that call for reduction in sustained costs during operations. US Navy • Textron Systems • Brunswick Corporation • Mercury Marine • Simrad Marine Electronics • Teledyne FLIR https://lnkd.in/gbteMZ_e

🇺🇸🛩️ Anduril Industries’ drone prototype for the United States Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, designated YFQ-44A, completed its first flight. It follows after the first flight test of General Atomics’ YFQ-42A — the second prototype aircraft selected for the CCA’s first increment — in August 2025. Both companies were chosen in April 2024, completed the critical design review in November of the same year, and began ground tests in May 2025. Their drone prototypes are slated for further trials and operational assessments. 💡 The CCA program aims to develop autonomous or semi-autonomous uncrewed aircraft to work alongside piloted fighters as their “loyal wingmen” performing varied missions, including strike, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.

Lockheed Martin has taken one of the world’s most trusted military helicopters — the UH-60 Black Hawk — and transformed it into a completely autonomous drone. Known as the “Optionally Piloted Black Hawk,” this aircraft can now take off, navigate, complete missions, and land without a single human onboard, covering up to 1,840 miles on a single flight. Developed in partnership with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the system uses AI-based flight controls and onboard sensors that respond instantly to changing weather and mission demands. It can deliver supplies, rescue troops, or carry out reconnaissance — all while keeping pilots safe from combat zones. The aircraft has already completed fully autonomous test flights, including landing in rough terrain and responding to simulated threats. Defense experts say this breakthrough could redefine air logistics, making military and disaster missions faster and safer than ever. With this, Lockheed Martin has effectively brought science fiction into modern warfare — creating a machine that flies smarter than any pilot ever could. #DefenseInnovation #AIDrone #LockheedMartin #BlackHawk #FutureWarfare

A groundbreaking step in maritime innovation: A US company has successfully tested its long-range autonomous drone warship — designed to operate across vast Pacific waters. As the Navy moves toward multi-mission, AI-driven vessels, this test signals how autonomy and endurance will shape future naval operations. #DefenseTechnology #AutonomousSystems #InnovationAtSea https://lnkd.in/eQNrv2r7

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. confirmed it has been selected by the U.S. Navy for the design of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which will

Found this to be interesting...... Sikorsky's new U-Hawk™ (the autonomous BLACK HAWK®) isn't just uncrewed—it's a massive leap in utility and mission flexibility. By removing the cockpit, the U-Hawk offers incredible new capabilities: 🔹️Versatile Payload: Carries Modular Intermodal Containers, HIMARS pods (six rockets), or two Naval Strike Missiles. 🔹️Launched Effects: Can deploy drone swarms or munitions from quivers secured in the cabin. 🔹️Massive Range: Self-deploys over 1600nm or loiters for up to 14 hours without refueling. 🔹️Proven Strength: Retains the 9,000 lbs external cargo hook and side-door loading of the original UH-60L. The most significant change is the operation. Operators—not pilots—command the U-Hawk from a tablet. The MATRIX autonomy system handles mission planning and flight, while automated clamshell doors and a ramp allow for easy "drive-on" cargo loading. This conversion creates a cost-effective UAS by leveraging the commonality of the existing Black Hawk fleet, ultimately reducing both operating and maintenance costs. Video By: Lockheed Martin YouTube Channel Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gSs_SvbH #Lockhead #UHawk #Sikorsky Feel free to share your thoughts.

U.S. Navy Selects GA-ASI to Develop Carrier-Based CCA Design General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. confirmed it has been selected by the U.S. Navy for the design of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which will be part of the future Carrier Air Wing. Story: https://lnkd.in/dq4UJHUU