HII has significantly expanded its unmanned underwater vehicle facility in Portchester, UK, doubling its size to enhance support for operators of the REMUS family of underwater drones. This development positions the site as a critical regional hub dedicated to providing operational, technical, and logistics support for unmanned systems, specifically aiding the Royal Navy, US combatant commands, and other European partners.
The expanded facility aims to deliver advanced services, including live and virtual training, as well as integration and sustainment for crucial technological areas such as electronic warfare, artificial intelligence systems, and fleet modernization. In addition, it will play a vital role in the rollout of HII’s ROMULUS unmanned surface vessels (USVs), which are expected to launch later this year.
HII’s unmanned systems are designed with modular configurations and boast long operational endurance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications across defense, commercial, and research sectors. These systems are particularly effective for tasks such as mine countermeasures, hydrographic mapping, intelligence gathering, and environmental monitoring.
The REMUS line, which encompasses several variants tailored for specific missions and operational depths, is one of the key families of products at the facility. The REMUS 130 is compact, suited for operations at depths up to 130 meters (427 feet), and is designed for quick deployment. The REMUS 300, offering increased range and payload capacity, can operate at depths reaching up to 300 meters (984 feet). The REMUS 620 features modular upgrades and enhanced electronics, providing a battery life of up to 110 hours and a range of 275 nautical miles (510 kilometers/317 miles), with operational capabilities at depths of 620 meters (2,034 feet). For more complex missions, the REMUS 6000 can operate at astounding depths of up to 6,000 meters (19,700 feet), facilitating deep-sea recovery and intricate scientific endeavors.
Furthermore, the facility will support the implementation of HII’s ROMULUS family of USVs, which leverage artificial intelligence through the Odyssey Autonomous Control System. This technology allows these vessels to operate autonomously in open-ocean conditions, conduct coordinated swarm operations, and flexibly adapt their modular payloads. The lead model, ROMULUS 190, is currently under construction, with plans for sea trials later this year. Built on a commercial-standard hull for efficient production, these vessels can reach speeds exceeding 25 knots (46 kilometers/29 miles per hour) and operate over extensive ranges of up to 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 kilometers/2,880 miles).
