Fincantieri to build Saildrone’s new class of multi-mission USVs

Fincantieri, through its US subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG), has been contracted to build Spectre, a new class of high-speed, multi-mission unmanned surface vessel (USV), developed by American operator of unmanned surface vehicles Saildrone.

Spectre has been conceived to address the rapidly evolving operational requirements of modern naval forces and reflects the growing demand for autonomous naval platforms.

The collaboration with Saildrone, announced at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space exhibition, marks a concrete step forward in Fincantieri’s industrial strategy to integrate unmanned solutions into its defense portfolio.

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 can deliver extreme endurance and an ultra-quiet acoustic signature, while remaining adaptable to alternative mission configurations, including higher-speed and low‑observable operational profiles.

Spectre is engineered to integrate a wide range of mission systems and payloads, enabling timely adaptation to evolving operational scenarios and threat environments.

Construction will take place at Fincantieri’s system of shipyards in Wisconsin.

“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,” Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented.

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 US Navy and allied maritime forces.