Saronic, now valued at $4 billion, wants its own futuristic shipyard

The latest: Saronic is now valued at $4 billion. The Texas-based defense contractor is less than 3 years old.

Friction point: American shipbuilding is hurting — and so is the workforce. The Navy's priority projects are years behind schedule, and senescent ships compound the problem.

What they're saying: "We are eyes wide open on the types of capabilities we need from a personnel standpoint, but also hardware," cofounder Rob Lehman told reporters Tuesday.

• "We're looking at a new class of vessels with a new way of building them," he said, "unburdened by what some of the constraints the current shipbuilding industrial base are hindered by."

Catch up quick: Saronic already makes three unmanned surface vessels: the 24-foot Corsair, the 14-foot Cutlass and the 6-foot Spyglass.

• Corsair can travel 1,000 nautical miles, carry 1,000 pounds and hit speeds greater than 35 knots. The fuel onboard weighs more than Cutlass and Spyglass combined.
• Its 300-plus employees include Anduril Industries, Liquid Robotics, Shield AI and SpaceX alumni.

What's next: Saronic is on the hunt for Port Alpha sites, according to cofounder Dino Mavrookas. He expects doors to open in less than five years.

Go deeper: U.S. Navy leaders agree: "Embrace the robots"