Saildrone and Thales Australia Advance Autonomous Undersea Surveillance
comprehensive situational awareness remotely from anywhere in the world.This enhanced USV capability supports broader naval operations by freeing up traditional low-density / high-demand manned assets to conduct other missions.The first production Saildrone Surveyor USV was launched last month from Austal USA in Mobile, AL. The initial group of USVs is contracted to the US Navy for the testing and evaluation of Surveyor-class vehicles in multiple environments. Upcoming Navy missions will focus on the ability of the Surveyor to deliver both surface and undersea intelligence for a range of high-priority
Saildrone Launches First Next-gen Surveyor USV
The first of Saildrone's new generation of Surveyor-class unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) has been launched by builder Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.Purpose-built for autonomous deep-water ocean mapping missions and maritime defense and security missions, the new USVs are being tested under contract to the U.S. Navy.At 20 meters long (65 feet) and 15 tons, the Surveyor is the world’s largest unmanned, autonomous vehicle class in operation. Built to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Light Warship code, the Surveyor will provide the Navy and other government customers with a cutting-edge
"AI is the Game Changer"
Austal USA Advanced Technologies is working with the US Navy on technical solutions that will power the next-gen of navy assets. Don Hairston recently took the helm of the AAT team, and discusses how additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence are powering the future of naval asset design, construction and lifecycle maintenance.Don, what specifically attracted you to the position as GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies?I liked Austal USA as an up-and-comer; it offers tremendous growth opportunities. I also like the advanced technology aspect, especially in the additive manufacturing (AM) space.
Austal USA Tapped to Build More Submarine Modules
Mobile, Ala. based Austal USA received an order for the manufacture and outfitting of three electronic deck modules for the U.S. Navy's Virginia-class submarine program. The order, valued at $10.6 million, was issued by prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat. Construction will begin in fall 2023 and the modules are scheduled to be delivered to Electric Boat by the middle of 2025.The construction of these modules is the result of the strategic partnership formed in 2022 between Austal USA and Electric Boat, supported by the U.S. Navy, to take a strategic sourcing approach to expanding the
Hairston Named GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies
Don Hairston has been named General Manager of Austal USA Advanced Technologies in Charlottesville, Va. Hairston comes to Austal from L3Harris Technologies where he was vice president and general manager of the C5 Systems Division. He was responsible for leading a $400 million organization that designs and delivers unmanned surface vessels, integrated C5ISR, and maritime controls and cyber solutions to support, defend and protect critical national assets and infrastructure.In his role as GM of Advanced Technologies Hairston will lead Austal USA’s growing R&D portfolio to include support to
ABS Grants AIP for Saildrone Uncrewed Surface Vehicles
, connectivity, machine learning and more.”Saildrone has already begun to scale production of its Voyager and Surveyor USVs to meet increasing demand for uncrewed ocean data collection. The company has partnered with Janicki Industries and Seemann Composites to build the Voyager wings and hulls and Austal USA to build Surveyor hulls. Surveyor wings will continue to be built at Saildrone’s headquarters in Alameda, Calif
Austal USA Awarded US Navy TAGOS-25 Contract
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced it has been awarded a contract potentially worth more than $3 billion for the detail design and construction of new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships for the U.S. Navy.The $113.9 million fixed-price incentive (firm target) and firm-fixed-price contract includes options for detail design and construction of up to seven T-AGOS 25 class ships which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $3.195 billion.Austal, as the prime contractor for the TAGOS program, has teamed with L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris), who will serve as
Saildrone Expands Partnership with Austal
U.S. based uncrewed surface vehicles (USV) company Saildrone is expanding its partnership with Australian shipbuilding group Austal.Having already entered a strategic partnership with Austal USA in August 2022 to construct Saildrone Surveyor USVs at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala., the company has now entered an exclusive Teaming Agreement with Austal Australia to jointly identify opportunities to collaborate on the manufacture of the 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor, in Australia, for deployments in the Indo-Pacific region.The Saildrone Surveyor USV is 20 meters long and designed specifically
Austal USA Commences Submarine Work
Shipbuilder Austal USA on Wednesday announced production has commenced at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard in support of the company’s partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to support the U.S. Navy’s recapitalization of the nation’s nuclear submarine fleet. As part of the partnership, Austal USA is constructing and outfitting Command and Control Systems Modules (CCSM) and Electronic Deck Modules (EDM) for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs. GDEB commenced on-the-job training efforts in April 2022 to provide certification for skilled trades and supervisory
February 2024
