saildrone

Saildrone, Inc. is an American technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous sailing drones, or unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), for ocean data collection, weather sensing, and maritime operations. The Saildrone platform is wind-powered and augmented by solar energy to support long-duration missions at sea without a crew.

Each Saildrone vehicle carries a suite of environmental sensors to measure atmospheric and oceanographic conditions, including wind speed and direction, air and water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence, and other parameters. In addition, onboard instruments provide GPS positioning and satellite communications, enabling near real-time data transmission to researchers and operators.

Missions with Saildrone vehicles are typically conducted over weeks to months, allowing comprehensive data collection across large ocean areas. The platforms are designed for autonomous navigation and remote monitoring, with operators able to set mission parameters and monitor results remotely. The system is used for scientific research, weather and climate studies, and practical applications in offshore energy, shipping, and maritime security.

Saildrone has partnered with government agencies such as NOAA and NASA to support oceanography, climate research, and meteorological data collection, as well as with commercial customers seeking autonomous data for operations and monitoring. The company has developed multiple vehicle classes, including long-endurance Explorer-type USVs and other configurations tailored to hydrographic surveys and environmental monitoring.