News Release, U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District:
CLEVELAND — Leveraging a contract awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard to enhance maritime domain awareness, the Great Lakes District will deploy autonomous drones to support Coast Guard missions on the Great Lakes this summer from May to October, 2026.
These are uncrewed surface vehicles with primary hybrid-electric propulsion, wind assist via the Saildrone Wing, and solar power as an auxiliary battery charge source.
The autonomous vessels are highly visible, equipped with radar, cameras and collision-avoidance artificial intelligence, and monitored 24/7 by human operators who can take manual control if needed. Sail drones are equipped with sensors that are strictly focused on maritime domain
awareness, providing critical information on vessel activities, including vessels in distress or conducting illegal operations.
In short, these autonomous systems augment the essential needs of our fully qualified Coast Guard crews operating on the Great Lakes.
For more information, contact Great Lakes District Public Affairs at 216-902-6020, or via email at D9PublicAffairs@uscg.mil.