HII has announced a significant milestone in the development of its new ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV) family, with the prototype now 30% complete and on track for sea trials in the fourth quarter of 2026. The progress was highlighted during a tour by HII executives of the Breaux Brothers Enterprises shipyard in Loreauville, Louisiana, where the vessel is being built in partnership with Incat Crowther.
“ROMULUS is progressing at a pace that reflects the urgency of the mission and the strength of our partnerships,” said Andy Green, president of HII’s Mission Technologies division. “Our team is delivering a platform that brings scale, autonomy, and real operational advantage to the fleet. At 30% complete, the prototype is well on its way to becoming the benchmark for unmanned surface capability.”
Designed for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and allied forces, the ROMULUS USV family is engineered for high endurance, sustained open-ocean autonomy, and mission flexibility. The vessels will support a wide range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), strike operations, mine countermeasures, and the launch and recovery of other unmanned systems.
A core feature of ROMULUS is its integration with HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS), a proven autonomy suite already deployed on over 35 USV platforms and 750 REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) worldwide. The Odyssey ACS enables advanced capabilities like multi-agent swarming, modular payload integration, and manned-unmanned teaming. Its open architecture allows for the rapid adoption of new technologies from partners like Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI, ensuring the platform evolves with future operational needs.
The ROMULUS prototype represents the first in a line of modular, AI-enabled USVs built for rapid, repeatable production. With a speed exceeding 25 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles, the platform is designed for scalable, distributed maritime operations. By pairing ROMULUS with HII’s REMUS UUVs, the company is creating a integrated, dual-domain unmanned force package intended to extend operational reach and provide a cost-effective, lethal advantage in modern naval warfare.
