Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities
Saildrone has released Spectre, a new class of high-speed unmanned surface vessel designed to enhance naval operations, particularly in anti-submarine warfare. The unveiling took place on 20th April in National Harbor, Maryland.
Spectre is 52 meters long, weighs 250 tonnes, and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. It is engineered for endurance and stealth, utilising a unique propulsion system that combines wind, solar, and diesel power for silent operations.
Richard Jenkins, CEO of Saildrone, stated, “Spectre is the result of 25 years of continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. A unique design evolved through the hard lessons of operational experience in the real world.”
Design and Testing Details
Spectre’s design allows it to carry significant payloads, with a concealed deck for up to 70 tonnes of equipment. It has been tested extensively in Copenhagen, Denmark, to ensure performance under various sea conditions.
The vessel operates with twin shaftlines, featuring dual electric and diesel propulsion. This setup allows near-silent electric propulsion up to 12 knots, while 5,000 horsepower Caterpillar diesel engines propel the vessel up to 27 knots with full fuel and a 25,000 kg payload.
Paul Lemmo, vice president at Lockheed Martin, commented, “Spectre represents a transformative step forward for naval surface warfare. Its endurance, payload flexibility, and seamless integration with advanced missile and sonar systems will give the US Navy a persistent, low observable USV.”
Spectre is not a typical diesel ship; it benefits from controllable-pitch propellers, enabling highly efficient operations across its speed range. This feature ensures controllable acoustic signatures and near-silent slow-speed operations, crucial for tasks involving thin-line towed arrays and variable-depth sonar systems.
Construction of the Spectre vessels is set to begin soon in Wisconsin. The first units are expected to undergo sea trials in early 2027. The project involves collaboration with Fincantieri Marine Group and American Magic Services for the production of key components.
Spectre’s capacity for containerized payloads is notable. It can accommodate dual 40-foot containers or up to five 20-foot containers, or a combination thereof. This flexibility in payload configuration enhances its operational versatility.
The Saildrone Spectre comes in two variants tailored for different missions. The Spectre Silent Endurance uses wing assist for extreme endurance and silent propulsion. Meanwhile, the Spectre Stealth Strike is designed to meet all mUSV requirements, focusing on stealth and high-speed operations.
Jenkins emphasised that Spectre was not hastily developed to meet a specific request for proposals. Instead, it was diligently evolved over multiple years to address the operational needs of customers and fill critical capability gaps in the ASW domain.
The platform is optimised for anti-submarine warfare operations, demanding extreme endurance and an ultra-quiet acoustic signature. Spectre can cruise at 25 knots with a 25,000 kg payload, offering a range of 3,280 nautical miles in flat water and 2,790 nautical miles in Sea State 4 head sea conditions.
