Saildrone expands its European market reach with manufacturing partner in Norway

PARIS — U.S.-based naval drone maker Saildrone has picked Norwegian naval builder Umoe Mandal to produce the Surveyor multipurpose surveillance craft locally, with an eye on new sales in Northern Europe, company executives said. The Norwegian shipbuilder, headquartered on the country’s southern tip reaching into the North Sea, specializes in composite structures for the naval sector, including masts for British Type 26 frigates. CEO Tom Fidjeland told reporters at the Euronaval trade show here that taking on the work of churning out Surveyors was “technically not difficult,” with a first mold…