US Navy awards Saildrone $16.3M task order for expanded counternarcotics ops

Published Aug 5, 02:37 PM UTC

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The U.S. Navy has awarded Saildrone, a California-based unmanned surface vehicle (USV) company, a $16.3 million task order to extend operations of its Voyager fleet in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific for expanded counternarcotics missions. This follows a recent incident where a Saildrone Voyager directly aided the Navy in seizing over $81 million worth of cocaine. Since 2023, Saildrone's USVs have supported Joint Interagency Task Force South and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Navy Fourth Fleet. The 33-foot Voyager is designed for persistent surveillance and can remain on station for months. The extension aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to curb illicit narcotics flow into the U.S. Since September 2025, the U.S. military has conducted 66 strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels, killing at least 196 people.

Source

Defense NewsWestern

Original headline: US Navy, Saildrone to use unmanned systems in expanded counternarcotics role

Original language: EN

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U.S. Navy Trump administration US Navy Caribbean