HII has announced that it has secured a contract valued at $36.9 million from the US Navy to produce additional Lionfish small unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). This order is part of the Navy’s ongoing initiative to enhance its subsurface autonomous fleet, aimed at conducting independent operations or supporting larger missions alongside crewed naval platforms. The enhancements are designed to improve operational range, stealth capabilities, and crew safety across various maritime situations.
As part of the contract, HII will also manufacture associated support equipment. The production work will be distributed between facilities in Massachusetts and Virginia, with the project scheduled to be completed by May 2027.
In January, HII revealed that it had wrapped up the final base-year production for the Lionfish program, having successfully manufactured a total of 42 vehicle hulls. This announcement followed the commencement of drone shipments in April 2025, just a year earlier. Looking ahead, the firm anticipates continuing its production efforts for the fleet until 2028, with potential orders that could reach up to 200 UUVs.
The Lionfish UUV is modeled after HII’s Remus 300 UUV, which features a customizable modular design aimed at meeting evolving mission demands. The Remus 300 was selected in 2022 to replace the Navy’s previous Swordfish underwater drone fleet, which itself was an adaptation of the Remus 100 platform, suited for similar underwater tasks.
In terms of specifications, the Lionfish measures approximately 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weighs up to 154 pounds (70 kilograms). Charging times can extend up to 18 hours, varying by configuration. The UUV is equipped with a three-blade propeller, advanced acoustic and communication solutions, as well as LED and infrared lighting systems, alongside a global positioning unit.
During operational missions, the Remus 300 can achieve a maximum speed of 5 knots (approximately 9 kilometers or 6 miles per hour) and can dive to depths of up to 1,000 feet (305 meters). Additionally, it possesses an operational range of 165 kilometers (103 miles), making it a versatile asset for diverse marine operations.
