Saildrone Explorers Support Unmanned Maritime Operations During IMX/CE 2022

The International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) took part in unmanned integration operations in the Arabian Gulf during the International Maritime Exercise/Cutlass Express (IMX/CE) 2022 for an 18-day training event kicking off in Bahrain. Spanning from the East African Coast to the Indian Ocean, with unmanned systems from partner nations included, the combined exercise is the Middle East’s largest naval drill. 

IMSC personnel operated two Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessels (USVs). These saildrones were launched by Task Force X, a joint task force set up to focus on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration as part of the exercise.

The Saildrone Explorer is a 23-foot-long, 16-foot-tall unmanned surface vehicle (USV) that uses wind power for propulsion and carries a suite of solar-powered sensors. These sensors help create a shared picture of the surrounding maritime environment, offering real-time data and enhancing situational awareness.

Prior to IMX/CE, Saildrone launched in the Gulf of Aqaba and successfully operated at sea continuously for more than 30 days, demonstrating persistence in a dynamic maritime environment for US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)’s Task Force 59. 

IMSC leaders had the opportunity to observe the capabilities of these unmanned systems during an operational training scenario at sea, aboard the Royal Bahrain Naval Force ship, RBNS Al Muharraq.

“This exercise was a great example of progress towards a true ‘digital ocean,’ where navies are increasingly using both manned and unmanned systems—on, above, and below the surface—to deliver exceptional situational awareness and operational flexibility to commanders,” said Commodore Don Mackinnon, commander of Coalition Task Force Sentinel.

CTF Sentinel is a multinational maritime initiative that works to ensure maritime stability, safe passage, and freedom of navigation across key waterways in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Red Sea. The coalition includes eight member nations: Albania, Bahrain, Estonia, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and the US.