HII Demonstrates Key Advance in Naval Unmanned Operations with Sea Launcher System
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., [Date] – HII has announced the successful at-sea demonstration of its automated launch and recovery system, Sea Launcher, for the REMUS autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The test marks a significant step forward in operational manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) for maritime missions.
During recent trials, the company validated a fully autonomous, end-to-end sequence for deploying and retrieving a mission-configured REMUS AUV from a vessel. This automated process directly mirrors recovery procedures proven in real-world operations by the U.S. Navy and allied forces. By removing sailors from the hazardous work of manual recovery, especially in high-sea states or contested environments, the system enhances safety, expands operational flexibility, and accelerates mission timelines.
“This is proven technology applied in a highly relevant shipboard configuration,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of Mission Technologies’ Unmanned Systems business group. “REMUS has performed autonomous recoveries for years. This demonstration shows how seamlessly that capability integrates with our automated systems onboard vessels to support modern, distributed maritime operations.”
The REMUS family of AUVs is among the world’s most deployed, trusted by over 30 navies for critical missions like mine countermeasures, intelligence gathering, and seabed survey. Its modular, open-architecture design allows it to function as a standalone asset or as an integrated node within a networked force, teaming with crewed ships, unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and other platforms.
The Sea Launcher system is engineered for integration across HII’s platforms, including its new ROMULUS family of medium USVs currently in production. This compatibility underscores HII’s strategy of delivering complete, ship-ready systems that combine mature autonomy with robust vessel design.
“This demonstration reinforces the value of REMUS within a distributed maritime model,” Fotheringham added. “It provides commanders with a reliable, flexible capability they already trust, now with safer and more efficient shipboard handling.”
Looking forward, HII plans to continue integrating the REMUS AUV with the ROMULUS USV family and other manned and unmanned vessels. This ongoing work aims to meet the evolving requirements of the U.S. and allied navies, advancing toward a future where unmanned systems are central to maritime mission success.
