Saildrone Nets $60 M for Autonomous Security Fleet

California-based Saildrone closed a $60 million round led by Denmark's EIFO to deploy uncrewed surface vehicles across Europe. The solar-powered craft can patrol for 180 days and stream multi-sensor data to naval SOCs, cutting surveillance costs by 85 % versus crewed patrols. Why it matters: Frontex and two Nordic navies have already issued RFPs, signalling a broader shift to low-cost, climate-neutral maritime policing. [The Defense Post]

This story is part of the Maritime AI Digest of 23 May 2025.