WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 26, 2026 – Woolpert and Saildrone have partnered to acquire and process bathymetric survey data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ocean Exploration and Office of Coast Survey in support of safe navigation and national ocean mapping initiatives, including the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and Seabed 2030 initiative.
NOAA will use data from the Mariana Islands to study sensitive habitats, marine geohazards, ocean conditions and seafloor composition within the U.S. exclusive economic zone. The effort will also expand taxonomic reference libraries for understudied marine species.
NOAA selected Woolpert to conduct seafloor mapping off the eastern coast of the Mariana Islands. Woolpert partnered with Saildrone using a 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor uncrewed surface vehicle. The Surveyor will support maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and deep-ocean mapping.
The Saildrone Surveyor operates without onboard crews while collecting bathymetric data in offshore environments. The uncrewed surface vehicle uses a diesel engine paired with the Saildrone Wing to capture auxiliary wind energy and improve fuel efficiency. This architecture provides the range and endurance required for deep-water ocean mapping missions.
Saildrone began collecting bathymetric data in Feb’2026 across a 13,000-square-nautical-mile area in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The company will transmit the data to Woolpert for processing and final delivery. Woolpert maritime market director Dave Neff said the partnership reflects the use of autonomous technology in deep-ocean hydrographic data collection.
“The seafloor mapping and exploration data that the Surveyor collects around the Mariana Islands will close critical bathymetric gaps in the United States’ exclusive economic zone,” said Brian Connon, vice president of ocean mapping at Saildrone. “The Surveyor’s ability to remain at sea for months at a time, regardless of weather conditions or sea state, makes it an ideal platform to carry out this vital work. Saildrone is proud to be working with both Woolpert and NOAA in these crucial efforts to better understand our ocean, marine resources, and ecosystem.”
“By integrating Saildrone’s mission portal with Woolpert’s automated survey production environment, we gain real-time visibility into acquisition progress and data quality – especially in deep-water regions that were once difficult and costly to access,” Neff said. “This collaboration shows how uncrewed systems and smart partnerships can expand what’s possible in ocean mapping.”
The contract is underway and is expected to conclude in May 2026.
Source: Woolpert
About Woolpert
Woolpert is an architecture, engineering and geospatial consulting firm founded in 1911 and headquartered in Dayton, OH. The company provides design, planning, surveying and geospatial data services to public, private and government clients. Its markets include aviation, transportation, water, energy and commercial infrastructure. Woolpert supports projects through engineering design, mapping, asset management and technology integration. The firm combines surveying and geospatial data with engineering to support construction and infrastructure programs. It operates more than 75 offices across five continents and serves local, national and international customers. Industry publications rank Woolpert among the Top 25 firms in Building Design+Construction, a Top 50 Engineering News-Record Design firm and a Global Top 100 Geospatial company. The company employs about 3,000 people worldwide.
About Saildrone
Saildrone is a maritime technology and defense company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Alameda, CA. The company designs, builds and operates unmanned surface vehicles, known as saildrones, for ocean data collection and maritime security missions. Its wind- and solar-powered vessels operate without onboard crews and carry sensor systems that gather oceanographic, meteorological and maritime data. Saildrone supports defense, maritime domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, ocean mapping and environmental monitoring missions. The company serves government agencies, research institutions and defense organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and the U.S. Navy. Saildrone integrates AI and sensors to process data and support operational decisions at sea. Its systems operate in remote and harsh ocean environments.