HII Unveils ROMULUS: How ROMULUS and REMUS Dominate Multi-Domain Maritime Operations

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Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has unveiled a new family of modular unmanned surface vessels (USVs) named ROMULUS, designed to revolutionize naval operations through advanced autonomy and mission flexibility. At the heart of this initiative is the ROMULUS 190, a flagship vessel currently under construction that measures 190 feet in length, boasts speeds exceeding 25 knots, and offers an impressive operational range of 2,500 nautical miles. Its design includes the capacity to carry four intermodal containers, enabling versatile payload configurations for a wide array of mission profiles.

ROMULUS. Photo: hii.com

ROMULUS is powered by the Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS), a sophisticated platform that integrates cutting-edge technologies to ensure seamless autonomous navigation and operational control. The vessel incorporates systems from Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI, each contributing to its capabilities in object classification, lifecycle maintenance, and adaptive mission execution. These technologies enable ROMULUS to operate with minimal human intervention while maintaining high levels of situational awareness and decision-making precision.

The vessel’s architecture supports multi-domain operations, allowing it to perform missions across surface, subsurface, and aerial environments. This includes intelligence gathering, precision strike capabilities, counter-drone operations, and the launch and recovery of unmanned vehicles. Such versatility positions ROMULUS as a critical asset for modern naval forces seeking to enhance their operational reach and responsiveness in complex threat environments.

ROMULUS is engineered to deliver mission-ready capabilities across a wide spectrum of naval operations, with a strong emphasis on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Its persistent ISR functions are supported by real-time data fusion and analytics, allowing operators to make informed decisions with speed and precision. This capability ensures continuous situational awareness, even in contested or remote maritime environments.

The vessel is equipped with counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and force protection technologies that enable it to detect, track, and neutralize airborne threats. Modular effectors can be tailored to specific mission needs, offering scalable defense solutions against drones and other aerial intrusions. These systems enhance the vessel’s survivability and safeguard nearby assets during high-risk operations.

ROMULUS also supports strike and fires missions by integrating both current and future weapons systems. Its open architecture allows for seamless upgrades, ensuring compatibility with evolving combat technologies. This flexibility makes ROMULUS a valuable platform for offensive operations and tactical support in dynamic theaters.

Dual-domain operations are a hallmark of ROMULUS, with the ability to launch and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and smaller ROMULUS-class USVs. This multi-platform interoperability expands the vessel’s operational reach and enables coordinated missions across surface, subsurface, and aerial domains. Such versatility is critical for modern naval strategies that rely on distributed and networked assets.

When paired with HII’s REMUS UUVs, ROMULUS extends its capabilities into the underwater domain, creating a powerful surface/subsurface solution. This combination reduces operational risk by allowing unmanned systems to perform tasks traditionally handled by manned platforms. Together, ROMULUS and REMUS offer scalable solutions for contested maritime zones, enhancing both detection and response capabilities.

In anti-submarine warfare (ASW), ROMULUS helps close sensing gaps and keeps manned platforms at a safe distance. Its integration with REMUS enables deep-water surveillance and tracking, improving threat detection and response times. This layered approach strengthens fleet defense and supports strategic deterrence.

For mine countermeasures (MCM), ROMULUS leverages the decades-long performance of REMUS in mine hunting. This accelerates clearance operations and minimizes fleet exposure to underwater threats. The result is a safer and more efficient approach to securing maritime routes and operational zones.

At the core of ROMULUS is Odyssey, HII’s proprietary AI-based control suite with over 6,000 operational hours across more than 35 USV platforms. Odyssey provides scalable autonomy, enabling ROMULUS to adapt to mission complexity and environmental conditions. Its proven reliability ensures consistent performance in demanding scenarios.

ROMULUS features a modular and open architecture built on UMAA, ROS, and DDS standards, allowing rapid integration of new systems. This design supports interoperability with allied platforms and simplifies mission customization. It also facilitates faster deployment and reduced lifecycle costs.

Multi-agent autonomy enables ROMULUS to control individual assets or swarms with ease, enhancing coordination and mission execution. Intelligent operations are supported by sensor fusion, COLREGS-compliant navigation, and autonomous health monitoring. These features ensure safe, efficient, and resilient performance across all mission phases.

Fleet integration is a key design principle, allowing ROMULUS to operate seamlessly alongside manned strike groups and surface action teams. Its ability to complement traditional naval assets enhances overall force projection and operational flexibility. As a result, ROMULUS stands as a transformative platform in the evolution of autonomous maritime warfare.

ROMULUS is being developed in collaboration with several industry leaders, including Breaux Brothers, Beier Integrated Systems, Incat Crowther, and Dark Sea Labs. These partnerships bring together expertise in shipbuilding, systems integration, naval architecture, and autonomous technologies, ensuring that the vessel meets the rigorous demands of contemporary maritime operations. The collaborative approach also accelerates innovation and ensures that ROMULUS remains adaptable to evolving mission requirements.

The vessel is tailored to meet the strategic needs of the United States Navy, the Marine Corps, and allied international partners. Its modular design and scalable systems make it an ideal solution for missions requiring rapid deployment, cost efficiency, and operational flexibility. By emphasizing speed, scalability, and affordability, ROMULUS addresses the growing demand for unmanned platforms capable of supporting distributed maritime operations.


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