Focus - Saronic

Introduction

Founded in 2022 by Dino Mavrookas, Saronic Technologies has emerged as a critical innovator in defense technology, specializing in Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) that align with the U.S. Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet. Based in Austin, Texas, Saronic develops modular, attritable vessels that augment manned platforms and provide cost-effective solutions for surveillance, reconnaissance, and complex tactical missions. By delivering high-volume production capabilities and adaptable mission sets, Saronic is equipping naval forces with scalable, autonomous options suited for both nearshore and open-sea operations.

Core Product Offerings

Corsair: Large-Scale Autonomous Capability

Corsair is the largest ASV in Saronic’s lineup, designed to address critical naval and maritime needs. With a range of 1,000 nautical miles, a top speed exceeding 35 knots, and a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds, Corsair provides robust endurance and mission flexibility. Equipped with an open modular architecture (MOSA), Corsair allows rapid integration of sensors, munitions, and communication systems, enabling it to operate autonomously and in swarms for a range of operations, including ISR and electronic warfare. With its scalable design, Corsair supports cost-effective production at volume, answering the Navy’s need for high-impact unmanned systems that can operate autonomously in GPS- and communication-denied settings.

Specifications:

Range: 1,000 nautical miles

Top Speed: 35+ knots

Payload: 1,000 pounds

Cutlass: Mid-Sized Modular Solution for Joint Forces

Cutlass, a 14-foot vessel, is built for versatility and multi-role operations, particularly suited for joint force applications. With a range of 300 nautical miles, it is designed to perform crucial functions such as deploying loitering munitions, connecting C2 nodes, and identifying, classifying, and tracking other vessels. Its modular payload compartment and robust communication nodes make Cutlass a valuable asset in adaptive C2 networks, expanding the tactical options available to mission commanders.

Specifications:

Range: 300 nautical miles

Top Speed: 20 knots

Payload: 200 pounds

Spyglass: Tactical ISR for Nearshore and Collaborative Missions

Spyglass is Saronic’s compact 6-foot ASV, optimized for nearshore ISR operations and designed to enhance domain awareness. With a range of 30 nautical miles and a payload capacity of 40 pounds, Spyglass provides agile surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. It operates autonomously or in swarms, with launch and recovery options from both shore and expeditionary platforms, making it ideal for tactical ISR missions in contested environments. Equipped with advanced sensors and configurable payload bays, Spyglass performs effectively in high-sea states and is compatible with collaborative teaming.

Specifications:

Range: 30 nautical miles

Top Speed: 20 knots

Payload: 40 pounds

Manufacturing and Expansion Initiatives

Saronic’s headquarters has expanded significantly, now covering an additional 65,000 square feet of operational space in Austin, enabling it to produce hundreds of ASVs annually. This scaling aligns with the Navy’s urgent demand for cost-effective, rapidly deployable maritime assets. The expansion will add over 100 jobs by the end of 2024, allowing Saronic to support development, production, and testing of its ASV fleet, particularly focusing on Corsair production at scale.

CEO Dino Mavrookas highlighted the importance of domestic manufacturing capabilities, emphasizing Saronic’s commitment to rapid development and in-house production: “Our Austin facility, alongside our Galveston testing site, equips us to meet defense requirements quickly and with agility.” Saronic’s investment in its 5,000+ square foot ocean testing facility in Galveston ensures that its vessels are tested under real-world conditions to enhance their resilience and mission-readiness.

Strategic Market Position and Industry Impact

Saronic’s approach answers a critical need within the Department of Defense’s (DoD) strategy to incorporate flexible, attritable assets that are easily deployable and cost-efficient. Vertical integration enables Saronic to control every stage from design to production, accelerating timelines for delivery to the Navy and allies. Saronic’s ASVs are built around MOSA, allowing seamless integration with existing Navy command and control (C2) systems and mission technologies.

Demonstrating this capability during the U.S. Navy’s Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 24.1, Saronic deployed Spyglass and Cutlass ASVs alongside Anduril’s ALTIUS loitering munitions, showcasing interoperability with the Lattice C2 platform. The deployment highlighted Cutlass’s ability to enhance adaptive C2 networks, while Spyglass proved its capacity for autonomous ISR even in constrained communications settings.

Investment and Growth Trajectory

Saronic’s $175 million Series B funding round in July 2024, led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, and others, underscores significant market confidence in the company’s vision. Now valued at $1 billion, Saronic will use these funds to scale production, support domestic and international expansion, and advance R&D efforts for additional payload and sensor integration. With partners like 8VC, Saronic is positioned to accelerate adoption within U.S. and allied defense frameworks, addressing the strategic demand for adaptable, unmanned solutions.

Katherine Boyle, a16z’s General Partner, remarked, “Saronic’s contributions are essential for maintaining the U.S. military’s competitive advantage in autonomous maritime defense.” The company’s strategy is further supported by Ensemble VC, which emphasizes Saronic’s high scalability and relevance in countering complex maritime threats.

Leadership and Technical Expertise

Dino Mavrookas, Co-founder and CEO of Saronic, drives the company’s vision, product strategies, and performance metrics. A former Navy SEAL with over a decade of service, including eight combat tours, Dino brings an acute awareness of how advanced technology impacts military safety and operational success. His prior experience in private equity at Vista Equity Partners, where he guided tech investments across government, cybersecurity, and energy, equips him with a unique blend of tactical insight and investment expertise critical to Saronic’s mission.

Rob Lehman, Saronic’s Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, brings over two decades of experience as a Lt. Colonel in the USMC, connecting Saronic’s solutions directly to the needs of service members. After active duty, Rob advanced key Navy and Marine Corps programs with Northrop Grumman and ManTech International. As CEO of TTI, he oversaw the design of technologies currently deployed on surface combatants, and later co-founded 9 Line Solutions to guide tech firms through the DoD acquisition process, leveraging his deep expertise in defense and maritime technology.

Doug Lambert, Co-founder and Head of Engineering at Saronic, leads the company’s R&D, hardware engineering, and production efforts. With over a decade in maritime engineering, Doug brings a robust background in nautical robotics and autonomous systems. Previously, at Liquid Robotics, he contributed to the development of the Wave Glider and deep-sea buoyancy engines, and later, as VP of Engineering at Terradepth, he successfully led the design and demonstration of a diesel-electric autonomous underwater vehicle. His innovative approach ensures Saronic’s ASVs are both technologically advanced and operationally resilient.

Strategic Collaborations and Demonstrated Capabilities

Saronic’s ASVs are purpose-built for multi-domain operations, and their success in IBP 24.1 underscores their readiness for integrated C2 missions. During the exercise, Cutlass deployed Anduril’s ALTIUS loitering munition, effectively extending the operational reach of aerial assets. Meanwhile, Spyglass’s autonomous ISR capabilities were tested through high-sea conditions and nighttime missions, demonstrating its resilience and mission adaptability.

In collaboration with the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER), Saronic was able to integrate new technologies into Cutlass and Spyglass within hours, underscoring the flexibility and operational relevance of its MOSA-based architecture.

Conclusion

Saronic Technologies is redefining maritime defense through its scalable, modular ASVs, delivering unmanned systems that enhance fleet versatility, tactical flexibility, and operational scope. By leveraging in-house manufacturing, high-rate production, and collaborative innovation, Saronic addresses the critical demand for mission-ready ASVs that meet the complexity of modern naval operations. Saronic’s fleet—Corsair, Cutlass, and Spyglass—offers U.S. and allied forces a resilient, efficient, and rapidly deployable maritime advantage, setting a new standard for autonomous defense solutions.