Weibel loses key director to USV developer in Copenhagen expansion

Danish radar specialist Weibel Scientific is losing its business development director for space and defence programmes, Kim Løye Sørensen, who has joined Saildrone Europe as head of business development.

The move comes as Saildrone, a US developer of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for maritime surveillance and data collection, expands its European footprint with a base in Copenhagen.

The expansion to Copenhagen was announced in Spring 2025.

- I look forward to working with the Saildrone team and partners to strengthen maritime security and deliver mission-critical effects at pace, Sørensen said in a statement on LinkedIn.

For Weibel Scientific, which specialises in advanced Doppler radar systems for defence and space applications, the departure removes a senior profile combining operational military experience with commercial responsibility in a growing segment.

Sørensen joined Weibel Scientific following a career in the Royal Danish Navy and the Danish Ministry of Defence, where he spent more than 11 years in operational and strategic roles.

Saildrone’s European build-up is supported by Danish public investment. In 2025, the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) led an investment round in the company, coinciding with the establishment of its European headquarters in Copenhagen.

At the same time, the Danish Armed Forces have begun operational testing of the company’s technology as part of a trial programme in Danish waters, involving several defence authorities and partners.