Develop infrastructure that expands the operational reach of autonomous maritime systems.
About
Building the future of autonomous maritime infrastructure.
AYDLL exists to develop modular offshore infrastructure that enables persistent maritime operations and supports autonomous systems across air, surface, and subsurface domains.
Our focus is engineering practical, scalable systems that increase operational awareness, extend autonomous vehicle capability, and reduce reliance on continuous manned patrol.
Our Mission
Enable persistent maritime awareness through modular offshore platforms.
Engineering-first. Mission-focused. Built for long-term operational use.
Leadership
AYDLL brings together engineering, manufacturing, maritime, and defense experience to develop autonomous maritime infrastructure.
John B. Sawyer
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Founder and executive leader responsible for strategic direction, major partnerships, and the long-term growth of the organization.
Craig McPike
Strategy & Oversight
Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and command pilot with more than three decades of experience leading global operations, defense organizations, and complex mission programs.
Kenneth Stetham
Strategy & Innovation
Strategy and innovation leader focused on identifying emerging capabilities, evaluating new technologies, and shaping defense program priorities.
Chip Fichtner
Head of Engineering
Engineering and operations executive with four decades of experience leading complex systems, advanced manufacturing, and technology-driven program execution.
Program Leadership
Robert Riedell
Programs & Procurement
Program execution and procurement leader responsible for coordinating delivery, suppliers, contracting, and the resources required to keep complex programs on plan.
Dalton Sawyer
Technical Direction
Technical leader focused on program standards, engineering interfaces, and alignment across complex technical systems and development efforts.
Cody Blossman
Operations & Chief of Staff
Operations leader responsible for organizational coordination, internal execution, and aligning cross-functional teams with leadership priorities.
Austin Fichtner
Systems & Platform Development
Hands-on technical and engineering contributor supporting system development, platform design, and the technical execution required to move programs from concept into reality.
Experience
Our team combines experience from multiple disciplines required to develop and field complex maritime systems.
- Defense Programs
- Systems Engineering
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Maritime Operations
- Autonomous Systems
- Aerospace
- Industrial Design
- Government Programs
- Program Management
- Supply Chain
Built for government programs.
AYDLL is designed to fit how government acquires, integrates, and fields capability — with control, compliance, and affordability built in.
Requirements-Driven
Development is anchored to operational requirements and validated concepts of operation — not technology for its own sake.
Open & Modular
A modular open-systems approach keeps configuration control with the government and lets third-party payloads and mission systems integrate without vendor lock-in.
Operator-Retained Authority
Mission tasking, intelligence use, and engagement decisions stay with the government. AYDLL operates the infrastructure; the customer owns the mission.
Affordable Mass
Attritable, cost-effective platforms designed to be fielded at scale — capacity over exquisite, single-point assets.
Domestic Industrial Base
Built around U.S.-based manufacturing and a resilient, auditable supply chain to support scalable production.
Compliance & Security
Developed in alignment with U.S. export-control (ITAR/EAR) and defense security and data-handling requirements.
Connect With AYDLL.
For partnership, investment, pilot, or program discussions, contact the AYDLL team directly.