Source : https://www.saildrone.com/

Saildrone is a pioneering maritime startup that designs, manufactures, and operates a fleet of wind- and solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) for ocean data collection, security monitoring, and climate research. These cutting-edge platforms are revolutionizing how nations and organizations gather critical marine intelligence by offering high-resolution, low-cost, and sustainable operations. Founded in 2012 by Richard Jenkins, Saildrone grew from his vision of adapting aerodynamic wing sail technology for oceanic use. This vision materialized when a prototype successfully sailed from San Francisco to Hawaii in 2013, validating the concept of autonomous sailing drones. The company is headquartered in Alameda, California, and recently expanded its global presence with a European base in Copenhagen, Denmark, established in 2025.

Saildrone offers three primary models of USVs: the 23-foot Saildrone Explorer for near-shore and mid-ocean data collection, the 33-foot Saildrone Voyager designed for real-time maritime domain awareness and persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and the 72-foot Saildrone Surveyor, capable of deep-ocean bathymetric mapping akin to large research vessels, but fully autonomous. These USVs are powered by renewable energy and equipped with AI/ML-enabled computer vision, radar, acoustic sensors, and satellite communication systems. Designed for long-endurance missions, the vehicles can operate continuously for 365 days and have collectively sailed over 2 million nautical miles.

Saildrone has secured substantial funding across several investment rounds. In 2016, it raised $14 million in a Series A round led by Social Capital and other investors. A Series B round in 2018 brought in $60 million, followed by a $100 million Series C round in 2021 led by Bond Capital and joined by major players such as Emerson Collective and Crowley Maritime. In 2025, a strategic round raised an additional $60 million, led by Denmark’s EIFO with contributions from Lux Capital, Academy Securities, and others. In total, Saildrone’s funding is estimated to be between $246 million and $325 million.

Strategic Collaboration with Palantir (NYSE : PLTR) : Exploring artificial intelligence and uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) technology

On March 13, 2025, Saildrone and Palantir Technologies (NYSE : PLTR) announced a strategic collaboration aimed at transforming maritime operations through the integration of advanced artificial intelligence and uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) technology. Saildrone, known for operating the world’s largest fleet of USVs, has been a key player in maritime surveillance, supporting missions for the U.S. Navy, Department of Homeland Security, and allied forces. These missions span from counter-narcotics and illegal fishing patrols to submarine detection and border security. Through this partnership, Palantir’s AI-powered platforms particularly its Foundry and Warp Speed operating systems will be integrated into Saildrone’s operations and manufacturing processes.

Palantir’s Foundry platform will enhance the capabilities of Saildrone’s USVs by fusing onboard proprietary data with external data sources to provide real-time insights and intelligence at sea. This will significantly bolster threat detection, mission planning, and autonomous decision-making. Meanwhile, Palantir’s Warp Speed system will optimize Saildrone’s supply chain and manufacturing workflows. By unifying fragmented production systems, Saildrone aims to rapidly scale its fleet, enabling faster deployment and more cost-effective operations. According to Saildrone CEO Richard Jenkins, the partnership enables the delivery of operational solutions “today” to meet emerging maritime threats, rather than relying on long-term defense procurement cycles.

With this collaboration, the maritime domain is witnessing a shift toward scalable, AI-enabled autonomous surveillance. Saildrone’s extensive experience, having covered nearly 2 million nautical miles globally, combined with Palantir’s expertise in AI and data integration, positions the two companies at the forefront of a new era in naval and oceanographic technology. The partnership also reflects a broader industry trend where defense and maritime technology firms are embracing AI and autonomy to enhance situational awareness and reduce operational costs.

Saildrone stands at the forefront of ocean intelligence, seamlessly integrating sustainability, autonomy, and advanced analytics. Its versatile fleet has proven indispensable across diverse sectors such as defense, climate science, commercial fisheries, and maritime safety. With expanding global operations and strong backing from investors and defense entities, Saildrone exemplifies the transformative potential of dual-use maritime technology in shaping the future of ocean exploration and security.

Citations

Saildrone Official Website – https://www.saildrone.com/

Saildrone. (2025, 13 Maret). Saildrone and Palantir Partner to Revolutionize Maritime Operations with AI-Powered Uncrewed Systems. Diakses dari https://www.saildrone.com/news/saildrone-and-palantir-partner-maritime-ai

Palantir Technologies. (2025, 13 Maret). Palantir and Saildrone Join Forces to Deliver Scalable Maritime Intelligence Solutions. Diakses dari https://www.palantir.com/press-release/saildrone-partnership

Defense One. (2025). AI in the Ocean: Palantir-Saildrone Collaboration Could Change Naval Surveillance. Diakses dari https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/03/palantir-saildrone-ai-naval

Reddit. (2025). Palantir AIPCon 2025 Highlights – New Warp Speed Partners. Diakses dari https://www.reddit.com/r/PLTR/comments/aipcon2025_summary

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas
Reviewer : Imam Buchari, David Ratner