Saronic, Currently Valued at $4 Billion, is Planning to Establish its Own Advanced Shipyard.
Saronic plans to develop larger drone boats and a high-tech shipyard called Port Alpha following a $600 million funding round.
The U.S. military is focusing on the integration of autonomy, robotics, and their interaction with troops.
The Navy aims to have a hybrid fleet that includes both sailors and marines, along with smart machinery equipped with weapons, jammers, and sensors.
Saronic's current valuation is now at $4 billion, and it is a Texas-based defense contractor less than three years old.
American shipbuilding is facing challenges, including delays in priority projects and an aging fleet. The workforce is also affected by these issues.
"We are fully aware of the capabilities we require from both personnel and hardware perspectives," cofounder Rob Lehman mentioned to reporters on Tuesday.
Lehman added, "We are exploring new classes of vessels and new construction methods, avoiding some of the limitations faced by the current shipbuilding industrial base."
Saronic currently produces three unmanned surface vessels: the 24-foot Corsair, the 14-foot Cutlass, and the 6-foot Spyglass.
Corsair can travel 1,000 nautical miles, carry 1,000 pounds, and reach speeds over 35 knots. The fuel onboard outweighs the combined weight of Cutlass and Spyglass.
The company has over 300 employees, including alumni from Anduril Industries, Liquid Robotics, Shield AI, and SpaceX.
Saronic is searching for sites for Port Alpha, according to cofounder Dino Mavrookas, who expects it to be operational within five years.