HII Doubles UK Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Hub to Support REMUS Drone Operations

Portchester, United Kingdom : American defense and shipbuilding major HII has doubled the size of its unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) facility in Portchester, significantly expanding its capacity to support operators of the widely deployed REMUS family of underwater drones. The move reflects growing European and transatlantic demand for autonomous maritime systems, as navies modernize fleets and invest in undersea warfare, intelligence, and environmental monitoring capabilities.

The enlarged Portchester site is intended to function as a regional center of excellence for unmanned maritime systems. According to the company, it will provide end-to-end operational, technical, and logistics support for users across the United Kingdom and continental Europe, while also supporting U.S. forces operating in the region. Key customers include the Royal Navy, U.S. combatant commands, and allied European defense partners.

Regional Hub for Training, Integration, and Sustainment

Beyond maintenance and logistics, the upgraded facility is designed to play a central role in training and systems integration. HII said the site will deliver live and virtual instruction for operators and maintainers, covering mission planning, deployment, data exploitation, and sustainment across the full lifecycle of unmanned platforms.

A particular focus of the Portchester hub will be the integration of emerging technologies, including electronic warfare payloads, artificial intelligence–enabled autonomy, and digital systems supporting broader fleet modernization initiatives. By consolidating these capabilities in one location, HII aims to shorten deployment timelines, improve system availability, and enable faster upgrades as mission requirements evolve.

REMUS Underwater Drones: From Coastal Waters to the Deep Ocean

The REMUS family of underwater drones has become one of the most widely used UUV lines globally, with variants optimized for a broad range of missions and operating environments. REMUS 130, compact and rapidly deployable, is designed for shallow-water and littoral operations, capable of operating at depths of up to 130 meters. It is commonly used for mine countermeasures, harbor security, and quick-reaction surveys.

For longer missions and heavier payloads, REMUS 300 offers greater range and endurance, operating at depths of up to 300 meters. It is suited to extended reconnaissance, hydrographic mapping, and intelligence-gathering tasks.

The more advanced REMUS 620 introduces modular upgrades and modernized electronics, allowing operators to tailor payloads to specific missions. With a battery life of up to 110 hours, a range of approximately 275 nautical miles, and an operating depth of 620 meters, it supports complex, long-duration missions such as wide-area mine hunting and detailed seabed mapping.

At the high end of the spectrum, REMUS 6000 is engineered for deep-ocean operations, capable of diving to depths of up to 6,000 meters. This variant is used for deep-sea recovery, advanced scientific research, and technically demanding missions in some of the world’s most challenging maritime environments.

Across the range, REMUS systems are employed not only by defense customers but also by commercial and research organizations, supporting offshore infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and oceanographic studies.

Preparing for the Arrival of ROMULUS Unmanned Surface Vessels

The expanded Portchester facility will also support the upcoming rollout of HII’s ROMULUS family of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), scheduled to become available later this year. These surface platforms are designed to complement undersea systems by extending autonomous operations above the waterline.

ROMULUS vessels employ AI-driven autonomy through HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System, enabling them to operate independently in open-ocean conditions, conduct coordinated swarm operations, and adapt to a variety of modular payloads. This architecture allows a single platform design to be reconfigured for multiple missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and maritime security.

The lead variant, ROMULUS 190, is currently under construction, with sea trials planned this year. Built on a commercial-standard hull for repeatable and scalable production, the vessel is expected to reach speeds exceeding 25 knots and operate over ranges of up to 2,500 nautical miles, providing the endurance required for long-distance patrols and sustained autonomous missions.

Strategic Significance for the UK and Europe

HII’s expansion in the United Kingdom underscores the strategic importance of the region in future maritime operations. As European navies confront increasingly complex undersea threats and rising demand for persistent maritime awareness, autonomous systems are becoming central to force structure and operational planning.

By positioning Portchester as a regional support and innovation hub, HII aims to strengthen interoperability among allied forces, accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies, and ensure operators can rapidly deploy, sustain, and upgrade unmanned systems in response to evolving security and operational challenges.