Saildrone, Lockheed to place missile launchers on naval drones
Defense News • • business
Key Points:
- Saildrone will equip its 20-meter unmanned surface vessels with Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launcher in response to global navies' demand for armed naval drones.
- The partnership includes integrating AI and potential use of other Lockheed Martin weaponry, such as the Mk 70 Vertical Launching System, supported by Lockheed Martin's $50 million investment in Saildrone.
- Saildrone emphasizes maintaining human oversight in strike capabilities, rejecting fully autonomous weapons, aligning with many navies' vision of manned-unmanned hybrid fleets.
- The U.S. Navy plans to expand its fleet to 500 vessels, including 150 large uncrewed surface vessels, with over $3
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