NAVDEX 2023: Saildrone showcases its Saildrone Explorer USV.

ADNEC Group is hosting the 16th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2023) and the 7th edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition and Conference (NAVDEX 2023), which takes place on 20-24 February 2023. During the show, the company Saildrone is showcasing its Saildrone Explorer USV.
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Saildrone Explorer USV at NAVDEX 2023. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

The Saildrone Explorer is a 23-foot-long, 16-foot-tall USV reliant on wind power for propulsion. The vessel houses a package of sensors powered through solar energy for building a shared picture of the surrounding seas.

The Saildrone is powered by a 5 m (15 ft) wing, which is effectively sail-like on a sailboat, but of a design more similar to the wing on an airplane. Wind passing over the wing produces thrust, and a small tab on the end of the tail attached to the wing controls the angle of attack.

The rudder controls the direction of the hull, and the keel keeps the Saildrone upright. They are equipped with GPS and an onboard computer, enabling the vehicles to navigate following prescribed waypoints, while staying in a safety corridor, taking winds and currents into consideration autonomously.