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Lockheed Martin and Saildrone conduct live-fire USV demo at RIMPAC

August 20, 2026 7:09 AM

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Saildrone conducted a live-fire weapons demonstration using a Saildrone Surveyor-class unmanned surface vessel (USV) during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 near Hawaii, under the sponsorship of the U.S. Navy Fleet Experimentation Program.

The demonstration involved firing two rounds from a Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) Dual Launcher integrated with the Navy's Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES) fire control system. The exercise was conducted in coordination with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group, with the Saildrone Surveyor acting on target data for a surrogate high-speed surface craft.

The team also demonstrated a passive electronic warfare capability from the Saildrone Surveyor, detecting, classifying, and identifying a surrogate threat radar system alongside an MH-60S helicopter. According to the companies, the project moved from concept to demonstration in six months.

Lockheed Martin and Saildrone said this is the first of several planned tests aboard Saildrone platforms integrated with Navy combat systems. Future tests are expected to involve the Saildrone Spectre-class vessel, which is designed to support larger containerized systems including the Lockheed Martin Mk 70 launcher and SURTASS Towed Array.

"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," said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone's founder and CEO.

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