HII has successfully demonstrated the collaborative power of its unmanned systems in a recent test, validating integrated surface and subsurface operations. The demonstration centered on the ROMULUS 7, a compact, seven-foot unmanned surface vessel (USV), working in concert with a REMUS unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Both platforms were powered by HII’s common Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS), highlighting a unified approach to multi-domain autonomy.
Designed for expeditionary and special operations, the man-portable ROMULUS 7 served multiple critical roles during the test. Its primary function was as a mobile surface gateway. Positioned above the submerged REMUS UUV, the ROMULUS vessel used its communications suite—including Starlink and MANET radio—to establish a real-time data link back to a remote operations center. This enabled the high-speed exfiltration of mission data collected by the REMUS vehicle, effectively extending the operational reach and situational awareness of the command team while preserving the UUV’s stealth.
The test proved the seamless coordination possible when both platforms share the Odyssey autonomy backbone. Mission plans were created, monitored, and managed through the single Odyssey Mission user interface, allowing the USV and UUV to operate as a synchronized team without placing excessive burden on human operators. This collaboration validated key surface-subsurface tactics, such as using the ROMULUS 7 as a communications relay and command-forward node for the underwater asset.
Beyond gateway operations, the demonstration confirmed the effectiveness of the ROMULUS 7’s integrated sensor and communication payload. The vessel successfully employed its acoustic modem to maintain a secure data link with the submerged REMUS, while its cameras, GPS, and resilient networking stack provided continuous surface awareness. The REMUS UUV contributed its proven modularity, endurance, and reliability, performing its mission profile under realistic ocean conditions.
This successful test underscores HII’s strategy of creating a scalable, integrated family of unmanned systems. By connecting the ROMULUS family of AI-enabled USVs with the battle-tested REMUS UUV architecture through the Odyssey ACS, HII enables a powerful, networked team. This collaboration provides a force multiplier effect, delivering persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and data transfer capabilities across the challenging undersea and surface domains.
