HII has announced an ambitious initiative to set up a new assembly center in Louisiana, aimed at bolstering the production of its Romulus unmanned surface vessel (USV) family. This new facility will be created in collaboration with local shipyard Breaux Brothers Enterprises and will utilize existing space at its site in New Iberia.
Upon becoming operational, the assembly line is set to produce vessels ranging from approximately 20 to 190 feet (6 to 58 meters). This endeavor marks a significant step in HII’s commitment to advancing maritime technologies and enhancing operational capabilities.
In conjunction with the announcement, HII introduced its High-Yield Production Robotics (HYPR), a revolutionary system featuring automated welding, material handling, and digital quality systems integrated into the manufacturing process. The HYPR technology is designed to facilitate simultaneous hull fabrication, which is expected to boost output and shrink build times while ensuring consistent quality across various vessel classes.
HII has laid out plans for proof-of-concept demonstrations of HYPR in 2026, with a full pilot program anticipated to commence in early 2027. Eric Chewning, executive vice president at HII, emphasized the transformative potential of the HYPR system, stating, “HYPR applies next-generation industrial robotics to shipbuilding processes that have traditionally been labor-intensive and difficult to automate. For ROMULUS, this means fewer labor hours per hull, greater schedule predictability, and a manufacturing model that can scale efficiently as volumes increase.”
The Romulus USV, integral to HII’s portfolio, is specifically engineered for a variety of missions including intelligence collection, mine countermeasures, and strike operations. The USV measures 190 feet (58 meters) in length and is equipped with HII’s proprietary Odyssey AI-enabled autonomy suite. It boasts a cruising speed exceeding 25 knots (46 kilometers/29 miles per hour) and operates within a range of up to 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 kilometers/2,880 miles).
A prototype of the Romulus drone ship is currently under construction in Louisiana, marking ongoing progress towards higher-rate, standardized production. HII is also collaborating with local partners, including Incat Crowther, to refine vessel design and production methodologies, further enhancing its operational capabilities.
Andy Green, president of HII’s Mission Technologies division, highlighted the strategic approach behind ROMULUS’s development, stating, “ROMULUS is engineered from the outset for scale. By pairing a purpose-built assembly line with automation, we are driving predictable production outcomes and lowering the cost.” This initiative could significantly reshape the landscape of unmanned maritime operations, positioning HII as a leader in this evolving sector.
