Pioneering Autonomous Surface Vessels for Modern Naval Warfare

Saronic Technologies is a U.S.-based defense technology company specializing in the development of intelligent Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs). Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Saronic aims to redefine maritime superiority by providing naval and maritime forces with advanced autonomous solutions that enhance awareness, extend operational reach, and improve survivability in complex and contested environments.

Company Overview

Established by former Navy SEAL Dino Mavrookas, alongside co-founders Rob Lehman and Vibhav Altekar, Saronic Technologies emerged in response to the U.S. Navy’s evolving needs for cost-effective, rapidly deployable maritime assets. Within 90 days of its founding, the company secured two research and development agreements with the U.S. Navy, signaling its immediate impact and alignment with defense objectives.

Saronic’s mission-centric development approach involves direct engagement with Navy personnel to understand specific requirements, allowing the company to design vessels that address operational challenges effectively. This strategy, combined with the founders’ extensive military backgrounds, positions Saronic as a responsive and innovative player in the defense sector.

Product Portfolio

Saronic’s fleet of Autonomous Surface Vessels is designed from the ground up for autonomous operations, featuring durable, modular designs capable of withstanding the rigors of military maritime missions. The vessels are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence for mission-level autonomy, adaptive path planning for optimized performance across various sea states, and resilient multichannel communications for manned and unmanned teaming in contested environments.

Spyglass

The Spyglass is a compact 6-foot vessel equipped with advanced sensors and a configurable payload bay. Designed for tactical deployment, either individually or in collaborative swarms, Spyglass enhances domain awareness and delivers diverse effects in contested waters. It can be launched and recovered at sea from expeditionary craft, featuring a range of 30 nautical miles, a top speed of 20 knots, and a payload capacity of 40 pounds.

Cutlass

Measuring 14 feet, the Cutlass is engineered for extended missions requiring greater payload capacity. It performs critical roles such as deploying loitering munitions, establishing adaptive command and control networks, and identifying, classifying, and tracking other surface vessels. The Cutlass boasts a range of 300 nautical miles, a top speed of 20 knots, and a payload capacity of 200 pounds.

Corsair

As the largest and most powerful in Saronic’s ASV lineup, the 24-foot Corsair addresses urgent operational needs of naval and maritime forces. It features an open modular architecture for rapid integration of diverse payloads, sensors, and systems, along with autonomous capabilities to respond to or deter threats. The Corsair is designed for rapid production at scale, with specifications including a range of 1,000 nautical miles, a top speed exceeding 35 knots, and a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds.

Mirage and Cipher

In April 2025, Saronic expanded its USV family with the introduction of the Mirage and Cipher vessels, measuring 40 and 60 feet long, respectively. These additions represent the fifth and sixth autonomous drones unveiled by the company, further diversifying its portfolio to meet a range of mission requirements.

Marauder

Saronic has announced plans to build 150-foot unmanned warships, dubbed Marauder, at a newly acquired Gulf Craft shipyard in Louisiana. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to develop larger autonomous vessels capable of extended missions, with a payload capacity of up to 40 metric tons and the ability to travel up to 3,500 nautical miles or loiter for more than 30 days.

Strategic Vision and Expansion

Saronic’s strategic vision focuses on redefining maritime superiority through the development of intelligent, autonomous solutions that complement existing operational concepts or create entirely new approaches to maritime engagements. The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in its plans to build Port Alpha, a next-generation shipyard designed to rapidly scale the production of autonomous surface vessels. This facility aims to address gaps in U.S. shipbuilding capacity and support the Navy’s hybrid fleet of crewed and uncrewed vessels.

In addition to its headquarters in Austin, Texas, Saronic has expanded its manufacturing operations to include a 420,000-square-foot production facility dedicated to developing autonomous vessels. The company is also investing in a 5,000+ square foot ocean testing facility in Galveston, ensuring that its vessels are tested under real-world conditions to enhance their resilience and mission-readiness.

Funding and Valuation

Since its inception, Saronic has attracted significant investment to support its growth and development:

• Seed Round (February 2023): $15 million led by 8VC.
• Series A (October 2023): $55 million led by Caffeinated Capital.
• Series B (July 2024): $175 million led by Andreessen Horowitz, bringing the company’s valuation to approximately $1 billion.
• Series C (February 2025): $600 million led by Elad Gil, with participation from General Catalyst, a16z, Caffeinated Capital, and 8VC, increasing the company’s valuation to $4 billion.

These funding rounds underscore investor confidence in Saronic’s mission and its potential to transform maritime defense through autonomous technologies.

Conclusion

Saronic Technologies stands at the forefront of maritime defense innovation, developing a diverse fleet of Autonomous Surface Vessels designed to meet the evolving needs of modern naval operations. Through strategic expansion, significant funding, and a commitment to mission-centric development, Saronic is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities and readiness of naval and maritime forces worldwide.