Saildrone and Thales Australia have successfully tested a long-range surveillance system

Saildrone

Saildrone successfully and autonomously maintained a towed array capable of performing long-range surveillance, reconnaissance and reconnaissance (ISR) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, with the ability to detect and classify both underwater vehicles and surface vessels in real time.                

Thales Australia's thin-line towed BlueSentry sonar array has been successfully integrated into Saildrone's Surveyor-class unmanned surface vehicle (USV), demonstrating exceptional performance during a multi-week mission conducted off the coast of the United States.       

The successful test, funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research, was a step forward in partnership with AUKUS that could enhance the national security of Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.             

During an uninterrupted 26-day mission off the coast of California, the system identified and tracked vessels of interest in real time for further investigation by maritime security partners. The system has shown particularly good results in maintaining continuous surveillance in areas with heavy traffic, where traditional maritime security facilities are depleted and face significant operational challenges.              

The system has demonstrated the ability to detect and track surface vessels, submarines, and unmanned aerial vehicles.              

These capabilities, which can be effective in remote waters off the coast of Australia, can also meet the AUKUS Pillar 2's underwater warfare needs.                    

Saildrone's Surveyor series is an autonomous solution for monitoring the marine environment over long distances, using wind and solar energy, as well as equipped with advanced communication technologies and high—performance sensors.              

Thales Australia's BlueSentry thin—line towed antenna array is a next-generation sonar payload designed and manufactured to increase awareness of anti-submarine warfare and the marine environment. It uses world-class acoustic sensor technology for active and passive applications, as well as advanced signal processing, recording and reporting capabilities.                  

All BlueSentry components, from array to data processing, are designed, manufactured and integrated at Thales Australia's plant in Rydalmere, Western Sydney.

Saildrone and Thales Australia are ready to deploy these systems at scale, creating a network of autonomous, self-sustaining surveillance assets to enhance national security. As threats evolve and demand for ongoing underwater awareness increases, Saildrone-Thales offers a scalable and low-cost alternative to traditional surveillance platforms.