Now even sailing warfare becomes feasable

We are gradually getting used to sailing cargo again. Sailing with passengers has been established for years. But the fact that sailing warfare also becomes again possible does cause surprise.

US manufacturer Saildrone has presented a new generation of sailing drones (unmanned surface vehicles), which are also intended for armed missions. The platform can be equipped with both anti-submarine warfare systems and missile armament. From their press release:

“Saildrone, the world leader and most experienced manufacturer of unmanned surface vehicles, announces its latest platform: Spectre. With a length of 52 metres (170 feet), a weight of 250 tonnes and a speed of up to 30 knots, Spectre is a USV designed to perform multi-mission operations above and below the water surface. The Spectre’s design has been developed from the keel up for long-range, silent and sustained operations and draws on more than 10 years of Saildrone’s experience deploying USVs in the world’s harshest conditions.

Like the Saildrone Voyager and Surveyor, the Spectre makes combined use of wind, solar and diesel propulsion. Spectre has twin propeller shafts with dual electric and diesel propulsion, allowing virtually silent electric propulsion up to 12 knots. With a speed of 25 knots and a load of 25 tonnes, the Spectre has a range of 3,280 nautical miles on flat water and 2,790 nautical miles at seaway 4. Propellers with adjustable propeller blades ensure highly efficient operation over the entire speed range, allowing controllable acoustic signatures and virtually silent operation at low speeds for towed equipment such as thin towed arrays and variable-depth sonar systems. Spectre Silent Endurance is equipped with the Saildrone Wing, which provides additional range, sensor height and return capability for missions over 8,000 nautical miles. The hybrid propulsion system enables virtually silent travel of up to 12 knots. The wing was designed with the help of the US America’s Cup team. Its scope of application is hunting submarines and “other acoustically sensitive missions”.

Ficantieri Marinette Marine will build the aluminium hull for both variants of the Saildrone Spectre at its Wisconsin shipyards, which have the capacity to build five Spectre ships a year. Construction will start soon and the first vessel will undergo sea trials in early 2027.”

Source text and image: Saildrone

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