HII Surpasses 700 Sales of REMUS Underwater Vehicles, Strengthening Global Maritime Operations
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 700 sales of its REMUS uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) to customers worldwide. This achievement highlights the growing reliance on autonomous underwater systems for military, commercial, and research applications.
The REMUS UUV family has been adopted by more than 30 countries, including 14 NATO members, making it one of the most widely used autonomous underwater platforms. Impressively, over 90% of the REMUS vehicles delivered in the past 23 years remain operational, reflecting the system’s durability and effectiveness in maritime operations.
Expanding Capabilities in Modern Naval Warfare
The REMUS series plays a crucial role in naval operations, offering advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. These UUVs are extensively used for mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare, helping navies detect and neutralize underwater threats with minimal risk to personnel.
Equipped with high-resolution sonar and sophisticated sensor packages, REMUS vehicles enhance situational awareness in complex maritime environments. Their ability to operate autonomously or in coordination with crewed platforms provides flexibility in mission planning while extending operational range. Additionally, these systems contribute to ensuring safe passage for naval and commercial vessels in contested or high-risk sea zones.
Widespread Adoption by Global Naval Forces
HII’s REMUS UUVs have been integrated into the fleets of major naval forces, including the U.S. Navy and several NATO allies. The U.S. Navy has deployed REMUS in strategic regions such as the Persian Gulf, the Baltic Sea, and the Black Sea, where underwater surveillance and mine countermeasures are critical. NATO forces have utilized the system in joint exercises across the Mediterranean, the North Sea, and the Arctic, reinforcing allied maritime capabilities.
In 2023, the UK Royal Navy expanded its UUV fleet by acquiring multiple REMUS systems, including three units capable of operating at depths of 100 meters (328 feet) and five with a 300-meter (984-foot) operational limit. Meanwhile, in March 2024, HII secured a contract to deliver a REMUS 620 underwater drone to an undisclosed Indo-Pacific customer. The REMUS 620, capable of diving 600 meters (1,900 feet), offers enhanced payload capacity for a variety of underwater missions.
Future Prospects and Continued Innovation
HII is actively developing new variants of the REMUS series to meet evolving operational demands. The company is currently fulfilling a $347 million contract with the U.S. Navy for the production of small uncrewed undersea vehicles. These next-generation UUVs are expected to integrate improved endurance, artificial intelligence-based navigation, and modular payload options, further increasing their adaptability in multi-domain operations.
As undersea warfare and maritime security challenges continue to grow, the demand for autonomous underwater systems like REMUS is expected to rise. HII’s sustained investment in cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships ensures that REMUS will remain a cornerstone of global naval operations for years to come.
