May 6, 2026
As a leader in unmanned maritime platforms and mission-enabling technologies, HII is advancing a growing portfolio of capabilities designed to seamlessly integrate autonomous systems with crewed ships and submarines. These innovations directly support the U.S. Navy’s Hedge Strategy and its vision for Tailored Forces where manned and unmanned platforms operate as a unified, networked fleet.
At the center of this effort is a critical operational challenge facing the U.S. and allied navies: enabling unmanned systems to launch, recover, communicate, and operate effectively alongside traditional platforms in dynamic, contested environments and high seas.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder and a global leader in autonomous maritime systems, HII is developing technologies that allow naval forces to function as a coordinated, distributed network. This integration expands sensing and surveillance capabilities, extends mission reach, and reduces risk to sailors.
“Autonomous unmanned systems are becoming a core component of naval operations,” said Eric Chewning, executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy. “Our focus is on integrating these systems with crewed ships so they operate as a single network.”
Autonomous Submarine UUV Launch and Recovery Working with the U.S. Navy and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), HII is advancing the autonomous torpedo-tube launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles from Virginia-class submarines.
Recent demonstrations included the first successful forward-deployed launch and recovery of the Yellow Moray unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a variant of HII’s REMUS 600, from the HII-built USS Delaware (SSN 791) and the recovery of a second-generation REMUS 620 in a submarine torpedo tube test fixture.
In April 2026, HII was awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to deliver a submarine Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery (TTLR) system for the autonomous deployment and recovery of HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) from U.S. Navy submarines.
This capability significantly extends the U.S. Navy’s capabilities and range in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), mine warfare, and seabed operations, while increasing stealth and reducing risk and operational burden on crew.
Sea Launcher Automated UUV Deployment HII’s Sea Launcher automates launch and recovery of REMUS autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles directly from surface ships, allowing crews to deploy and retrieve systems while maintaining normal ship operations. In January 2026, HII demonstrated a fully autonomous launch and recovery sequence under operational conditions. The demonstration builds on procedures already proven in U.S. Navy and allied deployments and advances operational manned–unmanned teaming.
Mobile Surface Gateway HII’s Mobile Surface Gateway uses the HII ROMULUS 7, a seven-foot man-portable unmanned surface vessel designed for expeditionary and special operations missions.
Configured as a communications node, the system provides real-time reach-back to operational command centers while enabling high-rate data transfer from REMUS underwater vehicles. ROMULUS integrates acoustic communications, cameras, Wi-Fi, Starlink connectivity, MANET radio, and GPS to create a mobile sensing and communications node for distributed operations.
Pharos Launch and Recovery System HII’s Pharos system enables amphibious warships with well decks to deploy and recover unmanned underwater vehicles.
The system guides vehicles into a capture cradle and returns them to the ships well deck using existing shipboard handling systems, allowing amphibious warships to operate as forward launch hubs for autonomous systems.
MARLIN Autonomous Refueling and Data Interface HII’s MARLIN system enables unmanned surface vessels to be refueled and exchange data using a towable capture and connection device.
By eliminating complex ship maneuvers during recovery operations, MARLIN improves safety and reliability while supporting longer endurance missions for unmanned surface platforms operating far from shore.
Together, these capabilities position HII at the forefront of a rapidly evolving maritime battlespace, where innovation in integration of manned-unmanned platforms and capabilities defines operational advantage. By enabling seamless coordination between crewed and autonomous platforms, HII is helping the U.S. Navy and its allies transition toward a more distributed, resilient, and adaptable force.
As unmanned systems become increasingly central to naval strategy, HII’s continued investment in interoperability, autonomy, and mission-ready solutions ensures that future fleets will not only be more capable, but also more connected, survivable, and strategically decisive.
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII's mission is to deliver the world's most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation's largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII's workforce is 44,000 strong.
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