Saildrone Inc. has just wrapped up its demonstration with NATO Task Force X in the Baltic Sea, showcasing the impressive potential of its uncrewed surface vehicles—the Saildrone Voyager. This hands‐on event showed how these vessels can elevate maritime operations worldwide.
Richard Jenkins, the company’s founder and CEO, shared, “We’re honoured to have participated in the NATO Task Force X Baltic Initiative.” He highlighted that their extensive experience in the Bering Sea, with its similar latitude and conditions, made them well prepared for the challenges of the Baltic.
Based in Alameda, California, Saildrone is at the forefront of combining advanced sensors with proprietary AI algorithms to offer deep maritime insights. Notably, their Voyager USV earned a 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its work in the Gulf of Maine.
Between June 16 and 27, four Voyagers operated in the Gulf of Finland and the western Baltic Sea. Deployed from Køge, Denmark, these vessels demonstrated a responsive, autonomous force ready for real‑time operations. With a new office set up in Denmark this April and $60 million secured for European expansion last May, Saildrone is clearly geared for growth.
Even under challenging weather—witnessing winds and waves beyond 2 meters—the Voyagers provided continuous, 24/7 maritime surveillance. Working as part of NATO’s Task Force X Baltic initiative, coordinated by NATO Allied Command Transformation, NATO Maritime Command, and the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, the demonstration seamlessly integrated unmanned systems into active operations.
The efficient tracking system detected and followed hundreds of vessels each day. The Voyagers successfully pinpointed exercise participants, known as ‘red forces’, and identified ‘dark targets’ such as Russian military vessels. By pairing long‑range radar with rapid unmanned responses, these vessels quickly scrutinised distant contacts.
This mission is a key element of NATO’s Dynamic Messenger innovation pathway, aimed at adopting off‑the‑shelf autonomous systems. Saildrone’s contractor‑owned model offers full‑service mission operations and timely data delivery, making rapid deployment and scalability less of a burden for partners.
Every piece of data is integrated straight into the customer’s common operating picture via the Saildrone Mission Portal. The close collaboration between Saildrone’s global pilot team and NATO Maritime Command ensured that the vessels were dynamically tasked and met all operational goals.
