California firm Saildrone is heading deeper into naval operations with a new long-range unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed to hunt submarines.
Called Spectre, the 52-meter (170-feet) vessel displaces 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) and features a 43-meter (140-foot) composite wing.
It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 knots (56 kilometers/35 miles per hour) with a range of 3,280 nautical miles (6,074 kilometers/3,775 miles) in flat water.
Spectre runs on a twin shaftline diesel-electric propulsion system, enabling near-silent electric cruising at speeds up to 12 knots (22 kilometers/14 miles per hour).
For higher-speed operations, it switches to twin 5,000-horsepower Caterpillar diesel engines, pushing the vessel up to 27 knots (50 kilometers/31 miles per hour) at full fuel load.
A concealed payload deck supports containerized mission systems, accommodating either two 40-foot (12-meter) containers or five 20-foot (6-meter) units.
The USV can also carry two Mk 70 launchers and is designed to deploy Thales’ CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar system to support anti-submarine missions.
Path to Sea Trials
Scale model testing has already validated Spectre’s performance at Force Technologies’ tow tank in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The test refined propulsion behavior and confirmed seakeeping in rough sea conditions at high speed.
The design has also received approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping and reportedly meets all classification requirements for high-speed naval craft.
Construction will take place across Fincantieri shipyards, with work set to begin shortly and sea trials expected in early 2027.
“Spectre is the result of 25 years of continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. A unique design evolved through the hard lessons of operational experience in the real world,” said Richard Jenkins, founder and chief executive officer of Saildrone.
“Spectre is not a craft hurriedly readied to meet a particular Request for Proposal, but diligently evolved over multiple years to meet the operational requirements of our customers and fill critical capability gaps in the anti-submarine warfare domain.”
