Sponsored by EOS
www.eos-aus.com
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20 Apr 26. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) and Havoc are partnering to integrate unmanned systems with collaborative autonomy technology, enabling a single operator to command and coordinate fleets of platforms across vast, contested areas.
Leidos Defense President Cindy Gruensfelder, left, and Havoc co-founder and CEO Paul Lwin, right, signed the agreement between the two companies at Sea-Air-Space in National Harbor, Md., on April 20, 2026.
Sea Archer is a mission-configurable small unmanned surface vessel built for contested surface environments. Sea Archer delivers persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance integrated into distributed maritime operations — extending fleet reach without extending risk to sailors.
The companies plan to showcase these capabilities during a joint operational validation in the fourth quarter of 2026, where unmanned surface and aerial vehicles are expected to operate under a single autonomy system. The event is intended to provide a clear preview of how collaborative autonomous operations can be executed at scale in real-world conditions.
Elements of Havoc’s collaborative autonomy software will be integrated with Leidos’ Autonomous Vessel Architecture (LAVA) on select platforms, beginning with Sea Archer, the small unmanned surface vessel. This combined approach is designed to enable coordinated operations across systems while seeking to optimize performance, integration speed and cost for specific mission applications. The collaboration aims to define and deliver the architecture for an autonomous battlespace, where distributed systems sense, decide and act together across air, surface and sub-surface domains, even in contested and communications-degraded environments.
“The future of warfare will be defined by how quickly and effectively systems can operate together across domains,” said Leidos Defense President Cindy Gruensfelder. “The Leidos and Havoc team will work to deliver integrated, mission-ready capability that gives commanders more options and operational advantage.”
“Leidos is a strong partner because their vessels and software are proven and trusted,” said Paul Lwin, Co-founder and CEO of Havoc. “By integrating Havoc’s autonomy across those platforms, we expect to compress integration timelines from months to weeks and move systems into production in days, not months. That speed, applied to Leidos’ breadth of platforms, is what makes this partnership so significant for defense customers.”
This partnership combines Leidos’ proven maritime platforms and systems integration expertise with Havoc’s collaborative autonomy capabilities. Depending on the mission, solutions will incorporate Leidos, Havoc, or a combination of both software architectures to deliver scalable capability across existing and future force structures. These systems are designed to operate together to help expand reach, improve coordination and reduce risk to human operators.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 50,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.
Certain statements in this announcement constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the “Risk Factors” set forth in Leidos’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.
About Havoc
Havoc is the leader in all-domain collaborative autonomy. Its software-defined hardware approach powers military and commercial-grade autonomous systems across sea, air, and land to sense, decide, and act together in complex and contested environments. Havoc connects assets, enabling them to share information, adapt in real time, and continue operating even when communications are disrupted or denied. Havoc optimizes mission performance and minimizes human risk. Havoc was founded in 2024 and is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at havocai.com.
(Source: PR Newswire)
20 Apr 26. Fincantieri to Build Spectre, a New Class of High-Speed Unmanned Surface Vessel
Strategic collaboration with Saildrone through Fincantieri Marine Group, strengthening the Group’s leadership in next-generation naval platforms
Spectre, a new class of high-speed, multi-mission unmanned surface vessel
Fincantieri, through its U.S. subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), will build Spectre, a new class of high-speed, multi-mission unmanned surface vessel (USV), developed by Saildrone, a global leader and the world’s most experienced operator of unmanned surface vehicles.
Spectre has been conceived to address the rapidly evolving operational requirements of modern naval forces and reflects the growing demand for autonomous naval platforms, capable of being deployed in numbers and delivered in industrial reliability. The collaboration with Saildrone – announced at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space exhibition currently ongoing at National Harbor, Maryland – marks a concrete step forward in Fincantieri’s industrial strategy to integrate unmanned solutions into its defense portfolio, while leveraging the Group’s established shipbuilding processes and production capacity.
The program builds on FMG’s proven expertise in the serial production of advanced aluminum vessels, applying industrialized shipbuilding methods to a next-generation autonomous platform designed for multi-mission naval operations. Construction will take place at Fincantieri’s system of shipyards in Wisconsin, capitalizing on existing infrastructure and a highly specialized workforce.
The initiative confirms the Group’s intent to play a leading role in the transformation of naval fleets, where speed of delivery, production continuity, and industrial robustness are increasingly critical alongside technological performance.
At approximately 52 meters in length, with a displacement of around 250 tons and a top speed of up to 30 knots, Spectre is the largest, fastest, and most capable Saildrone platform to date. Optimized for anti-submarine warfare operations, the vessel delivers extreme endurance and an ultra-quiet acoustic signature, while remaining adaptable to alternative mission configurations, including higher-speed and low-observable operational profiles.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: “Spectre represents another step towards Fincantieri’s transformation from a traditional shipbuilder into a system-level industrial integrator for future naval forces. The combination of Saildrone’s leadership in unmanned operations with Fincantieri’s industrial execution strength and U.S.-based production footprint enables the rapid and reliable delivery of advanced naval solutions. This is how we support allied navies: by turning innovation into deployable solutions at scale.”
The program also reinforces Fincantieri’s long-standing commitment to the United States, ensuring continuity with domestic industrial requirements while contributing to the operational readiness of the U.S. Navy and allied maritime forces.
Designed in close coordination with leading defense technology providers, Spectre is engineered to integrate a wide range of mission systems and payloads, enabling timely adaptation to evolving operational scenarios and threat environments.
With Spectre, Fincantieri further consolidates its position as a cornerstone industrial partner in the emerging maritime defense ecosystem, where autonomy, industrial execution, and reliable production cycles are redefining the future of naval operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
20 Apr 26. Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH launches series production of maritime unmanned systems in Hamburg.
Series production of the Kraken K3 Scout has begun at Rheinmetall’s Blohm+Voss site in Hamburg. With the market-ready unmanned surface vessel (USV), Rheinmetall’s new Naval Systems division—together with its British joint venture partner Kraken Technology Group—offers a surface platform for both military and civilian applications. Depending on the configuration, the vessels can be used for maritime surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, or as weapons carriers in military operations.
The joint venture established last year between Rheinmetall Naval Systems and the British tech company Kraken Technology Group will now operate under the name “Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH.” The partnership addresses the growing global demand for market-available unmanned platforms of various sizes.
Production of the systems—which are capable of speeds of up to 55 knots, measure 8.4 metres in length, and are individually configurable—takes place at Rheinmetall’s shipyard Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, a site that the Düsseldorf-based company is developing into Germany’s leading test and technology centre for unmanned and autonomous marine systems.
“Production of the Kraken K3 Scout is initially designed for around 200 units per year. Depending on the order volume, we can scale up production to as many as 1,000 units annually,” says Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division. With five locations in Germany, the Naval Systems division specialises in the construction of complex naval and coast guard vessels and is a pioneer in the development of unmanned and autonomous surface systems.
Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken Technology Group said: “The formation of Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH combines the scale, expertise and reach of a longstanding defence leader with an agile, innovative maritime technology company. This will ensure that production of Kraken’s K3 Scout can scale to meet exponentially growing operational requirements.”
Kraken Technology Group develops high-performance and cost-efficient unmanned maritime systems. Through the joint venture, they benefit from the extensive production and integration capabilities of the Rheinmetall Naval Systems division.
20 Apr 26. Saildrone Unveils Spectre, a New Class of High-Speed Unmanned Surface Vessel for Naval Operations
Spectre is designed to provide persistent anti-submarine warfare, ISR, and strike capability.
Two Saildrone Spectre variants are built around different mission needs: Spectre Silent Endurance (right) uses wing assist for extreme endurance and silent propulsion. Spectre Stealth Strike (left) meets all mUSV requirements.
Saildrone, the world leader and most experienced operator of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), today released the design of the Saildrone Spectre, the culmination of two years of intense design work, leveraging over 10 years of operational USV experience.
At 52 meters, weighing 250 tonnes, and capable of up to 30 knots, Spectre is the largest, fastest, and most capable Saildrone platform to date.
At 52 meters (170 feet) long, weighing 250 tonnes, and capable of up to 30 knots, Spectre is the largest, fastest, and most capable Saildrone platform to date. Spectre is optimized for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, a mission set that demands extreme endurance and an ultra-quiet acoustic signature. Spectre achieves this by leveraging the proven endurance, reliability, and silent propulsion of the Saildrone wing system. However, from the outset, Spectre was also designed to operate without the wing for kinetic strike roles, which require higher sprint speeds and low-profile stealth operations.
“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,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone’s founder and CEO. “Spectre is not a craft hurriedly readied to meet a particular RFP, but diligently evolved over multiple years to meet the operational requirements of our customers and fill critical capability gaps in the ASW domain.”
Like the Saildrone Voyager and Surveyor, Spectre leverages wind, solar, and diesel propulsion, but Spectre is no ordinary diesel ship. Spectre runs twin shaftlines with dual electric and diesel propulsion, enabling near-silent electric propulsion up to 12 knots, before kicking in 5,000 horsepower of Caterpillar diesel engines to propel the vessel up to 27 knots with full fuel and a 25,000 kg payload. Cruising at 25 knots with a 25,000 kg payload, Spectre has a range of 3,280 nautical miles in flat water and 2,790 nm range in Sea State 4 head sea. Controllable-pitch propellers enable extremely efficient operations throughout the speed range, allowing for controllable acoustic signatures and near-silent slow-speed operations for tow bodies such as thin-line towed arrays and variable-depth sonar systems.
The concealed payload deck provides room for containerized payloads, ranging from dual 40-foot containers, up to five 20-foot containers, or a mixture of configurations in between. This unique configuration, close to the waterline, allows easy deployment of payloads via the transom, while the bulwarks protect them from prying eyes and the driving sea spray that will be relentless at high speeds in rough weather. Spectre’s maximum payload capacity is over 70 tonnes.
“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 that can deliver on a spectrum of maritime missions,” said Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager, sensors, effectors, and mission systems at Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with Saildrone to bring this capability to life, and we look forward to demonstrating its power at upcoming on-water, live fire demonstrations.”
Spectre performance is not just theoretical; it has been verified and tested at Force Technologies’ tow tank in Copenhagen, Denmark. Many months of testing and evolution on a 1/7th-scale model verified propulsive power requirements and seakeeping in conditions up to full speed in Sea State 5. Only through diligent physical tank tests can CFD results be verified and propulsion systems be optimized to deliver guaranteed performance at full scale.
The Spectre design has been approved in principle (AIP) by ABS, complying with the High Speed Naval Craft class certification. Two years of design and testing have entirely de-risked the Spectre design and performance. Coupled with Saildrone’s proven C2, systems control, and mission autonomy, Spectre provides a compelling turnkey and near-term solution for many critical requirements for the US and allied navies.
Spectre is constructed from aluminum and will be built in Wisconsin at the Fincantieri system of shipyards, which has the capacity to manufacture five Spectre vessels per year. Construction will begin shortly, with the first vessel undergoing sea trials in early 2027.
“Saildrone’s decades of operating unmanned surface vessels, combined with Spectre’s unique features as a multi-mission platform, represent an ideal case on which to apply Fincantieri Marine Group’s proven expertise in the serial production of aluminum vessels. We are excited to join this formidable team and swiftly deliver these capabilities to the warfighter,” said Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis.
The 43-meter (140-foot) composite Saildrone Wing will be manufactured by American Magic Services (AMS) at the American Magic High Performance Center in Pensacola, FL. Drawing on a pedigree in high-performance America’s Cup racing, AMS brings advanced composite engineering and manufacturing capabilities to the platform. Building on its experience serving the marine, aerospace, and defense industries, AMS is capable of producing five Spectre wings per year.
“Saildrone has set the standard for innovation and performance in unmanned systems, and we’re proud to support the advancement of the Spectre platform,” said American Magic Services CEO Tyson Lamond. “At the American Magic High Performance Center in Pensacola, in close proximity to key US naval and maritime operations, we bring together elite composite manufacturing and a proven high-performance culture, positioning us to deliver at the level this platform demands.”
Working with Lockheed Martin, Saildrone has ensured Spectre design compatibility with a wide range of Lockheed Martin payloads, including thin-line towed arrays such as the TB29 and the Mk70 VLS Launcher. Spectre can carry two Mk70s and is capable of deploying the CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar system from Thales/AAC. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
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EOS
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is an Australian technology company with a global presence, delivering advanced solutions across defence and space. With operations in Australia, the United States, Europe, Singapore, the Middle East and New Zealand, EOS has been designing and manufacturing precision technologies for more than four decades.
In defence, EOS is a leader in remote weapon systems, with more than 2,500 delivered and proven in operational service with allied forces. The company designs, develops and manufactures highly accurate counter-drone solutions for force and asset protection. These include both kinetic and high energy laser options that defeat drone threats effectively and at a comparatively low cost per shot. In August 2025, EOS secured the world’s first export contract for a 100 kW-class high energy laser weapon, with delivery scheduled between 2025 and 2028.
In the space domain, EOS is internationally recognised for its expertise in space domain awareness and space control. Its ground-based optical systems track and characterise satellites and debris to support both defence and commercial operations worldwide. Through its New Zealand subsidiary, EOS also designs and manufactures precision optics for space and astronomy applications.
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