Saronic

Saronic, an autonomous vessel maker, will build Port Alpha, a $3 billion shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, capable of constructing large vessels and creating 10,000 jobs. The project, supported by state and local incentives, includes government grants and tax abatements, though it faced local opposition over the need for subsidies.

Saronic will begin constructing a new shipyard in Texas this year. The facility will focus on building both defense and commercial vessels.

The US Navy's Saronic Corsair sea drones have transitioned from rescuing downed airmen in June 2026 to conducting combat operations against Iranian targets, including strikes on a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base in July 2026. The drones, developed by Saronic, are being used by US Central Command in the Middle East for both rescue and combat missions.

U.S. Central Command used three Corsair unmanned surface vessels to strike a maintenance facility at Iran's Bandar Abbas naval base, marking the first combat deployment of sea drones by American forces. The attack follows the revocation of Iran's oil export license and President Donald Trump's declaration that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is over.

Defense tech has shifted from a contentious niche in Silicon Valley to a booming investment area, with startups like Anduril, Saronic, and Shield AI securing high valuations. Venture capital funding for defense tech surged to $19.8 billion in Q1 2026, raising concerns about a potential bubble, as acknowledged by Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf.

A U.S. Apache attack helicopter shot down by Iran was rescued by a drone-boat named Corsair, marking a first-of-its-kind operation involving autonomous technology. The crew was transported to safety by the drone-boat, with both members reported in stable condition. The Navy's Task Force 59, focused on unmanned tech, operated the Corsair, which is part of a $392 million contract with Saronic.