Media Room

Access to logos, high-resolution images and video, and other assets, as well as best practices for using our branding materials.

Navigating an ocean of data. Delivering a world of possibility.

Saildrone is a US business that designs, manufactures and operates a fleet of the world’s most capable, proven and trusted, uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). Predominantly powered by wind and solar, Saildrone USVs have a minimal carbon footprint, and are equipped with advanced sensors and AI technology to deliver critical data and intelligence from any ocean, at any time of year. Solutions include maritime domain awareness, ocean data and ocean mapping. Saildrone operations and data collection services are encrypted and secure.

Saildrone's patented wing technology was born from 10 years of R&D in pursuit of the land speed record. The company is headquartered in Alameda, CA, and backed by The Schmidt Family Foundation, Social Capital, Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund, Lux Capital, Exor Seeds, and Horizons Ventures.

Media Releases

Saildrone Completes World-first Uncrewed Alaska Ocean Mapping Mission

Saildrone surveyed more than 45,000 square kilometers of previously unknown ocean floor around Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and off the California coast to address ocean exploration gaps in remote areas.

March 7, 2023

Read More

Saildrone Captures Video Inside Category 4 Hurricane Fiona

For the second year, NOAA and Saildrone are hurricane chasing with uncrewed wind-powered vehicles.

September 22, 2022

Read More

Whale-protecting Ocean Drones Accelerate Offshore Wind

Saildrone will use ground-breaking technology and uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) to protect marine wildlife, enabling the acceleration of offshore wind energy.

September 16, 2022

Read More

With Soaring Temperatures and Extreme Weather Events, Ocean Data Has Never Been More Important

Two ocean drones are collecting data in the Gulf of Mexico to help monitor weather and the impact of climate change.

August 24, 2022

Read More

Ocean Drones Launched in Lake Superior to Support $7B Great Lakes Fishery

Collecting data to improve fish counts, monitor environmental health, and help to protect native fish species.

August 10, 2022

Read More
See All Press Releases

Saildrone Surveyor Assets

Saildrone Surveyor sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge toward the Pacific Ocean.Click to expand imageSaildrone Surveyor sailing in front of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco skyline.Click to expand image
Saildrone Surveyor in Seaplane LagoonClick to expand imageDrone shot of Saildrone Surveyor and Saildrone HQ in AlamedaClick to expand image
Saildrone founder & CEO Richard Jenkins with Saildrone Surveyor.Click to expand imageSaildrone Surveyor with Saildrone Support and Saildrone Explorer in Seaplane Lagoon.Click to expand image
Saildrone Surveyor hull on the travel lift before being launched.Click to expand imageSaildrone Surveyor keel on the crane being launched into the water.Click to expand image

Saildrone Explorer Assets

Saildrone USV and NOAA research vessel Reuben Lasker under Golden Gate BridgeClick to expand imageSaildrone USV in action Pacific OceanClick to expand image
Arctic saildrone fleetClick to expand imageA Saildrone employee wearing a mask for COVID-19 inspects a USV at the dock in Alameda before deploying it to the Arctic.Click to expand image
Saildrone hurricane wingClick to expand imageSaildrone Explorer in Pacific Ocean waves.Click to expand image

Company Assets

Saildrone logo blue on whiteClick to expand imageClick to expand image
Saildrone founder and CEO Richard JenkinsClick to expand image

Writing About Saildrone

Saildrone (capitalized) refers to the company Saildrone, Inc. and should be capitalized.

The vehicle, saildrone, is written in lower case. Specific saildrones are known by their number, i.e. SD 1020.

Saildrone Explorer and Saildrone Surveyor are capitalized.

Saildrones may also be referred to as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) or ocean drones.

Quick Facts

  • Saildrones are wind and solar powered
  • A trim tab on the tail adjusts the wing angle to the wind similarto how an elevator trim tab controls the pitch of an aircraft
  • Saildrone has two base vehicles:
    Saildrone Explorer – the hull is 7 m (23 ft) long, the wing is 4.5 m (15 ft) tall, the keel draws 1.8 m (6 ft)
    Saildrone Surveyor – the hull is 22 m (72 ft), the wing is 18 m (59 ft), the keel draws 4 m (13 ft)
  • Saildrone’s current fleet is made up of Generation 5 & 6 Saildrone Explorers and the Surveyor
  • Saildrones are designed for missions of up to 12 months
  • Saildrone USVs navigate autonomously from prescribed waypoint to waypoint while staying within a user-defined safety corridor, though actively supervised by a Saildrone Mission Control operator
  • Saildrone USVs carry approximately 20 science sensors to collect in-situ meteorological and oceanographic data
  • Saildrone USVs are not for sale; Saildrone offers mission-as-a-service (MAAS) and data-as-a-service (DAAS) solutions
  • Saildrone has operated Arctic, Antarctic, Pacific, Atlantic, and coastal missions collecting data related to weather and climate science, carbon uptake, sustainable fisheries management, animal tracking, satellite calibration and validation, oil detection, and bathymetry

Media Requests

Saildrone uses a digital asset manager to distribute high-resolution assets (images, video) for editorial use. Please use the form below to request access or to schedule an interview.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

Navigating an ocean of data. Delivering a world of possibility.

Saildrone is a US business that provides comprehensive turnkey data solutions and actionable insights and intelligence for real-time ocean mapping, ocean data, and maritime security from any ocean on earth. Saildrone’s fleet of environmentally friendly wind and solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) operate 24/7/365 without the need for a crewed support vehicle. They are equipped with advanced sensors and machine learning technology to deliver critical data and intelligence from any ocean at any time of year.

follow us
Solutions
Maritime Domain AwarenessOcean MappingOcean DataOffshore Wind
Technology
VehiclesMission PortalData
Explore
Customer ExperienceOur PartnersRecent MissionsLogbookScience PublicationsGlobal Weather Forecast
ABOUT
CompanyIn the NewsMedia RoomContact UsCareers
newsletter signup
Thank you! Please check your email to confirm your subscription.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!
© Saildrone, Inc.  |  Terms of Service |  Privacy Policy
back to top