EXPLORER
Product descripton: EXPLORER by Saildrone
The Saildrone Explorer is a 7-meter autonomous uncrewed surface vessel (USV) purpose-built for persistent meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) observations and long-duration scientific missions. Powered entirely by the Saildrone Wing, the platform is capable of operating autonomously for more than 12 months, providing continuous, high-quality environmental data without requiring onboard personnel or support vessels.
Designed for deployment in remote and hazardous ocean regions, Explorer performs continuous monitoring where conventional crewed vessels are impractical, unsafe, or prohibitively expensive to operate. The platform delivers real-time meteorological and oceanographic measurements essential for weather forecasting, climate research, environmental monitoring, and maritime operational planning, including missions inside hurricanes and other severe weather conditions.
Operating 24/7 with virtually unlimited operational range, Explorer collects high-resolution data from both above and below the ocean surface, making it one of the world’s most enduring autonomous ocean observation platforms for government, research, and environmental organizations.
Key Capabilities
- Persistent meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) observations
- Weather forecasting support
- Climate and environmental monitoring
- Long-duration autonomous ocean data collection
- Extreme-weather and hurricane monitoring
- Remote ocean surveillance
- Continuous surface and subsurface scientific measurements
- Zero-manning autonomous operations
Technical specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform Type | Autonomous Long-Endurance USV |
| Length | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Wing Height | 5 m |
| Draft | 2 m |
| Primary Propulsion | Saildrone Wing (wind-powered) |
| Average Speed | 1–3 knots |
| Endurance | 12+ months (up to 365 continuous days) |
| Range | Unlimited |
| Primary Mission Areas | METOC observations, weather forecasting, climate monitoring, environmental research, oceanographic data collection, hurricane monitoring |