HII and Babcock Join Forces to Integrate Unmanned Underwater Vehicles with Submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems
HII (NYSE: HII) and Babcock International Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate HII's REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) with Babcock's submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS). The partnership aims to enable autonomous launch and recovery of UUVs through submarine torpedo tubes.
The collaboration builds on their 2023 strategic partnership and follows the U.S. Navy's successful forward-deployed UUV launch and recovery via torpedo tube using an HII REMUS. Babcock's WHLS technology is currently utilized by submarine fleets in the UK, Canada, Australia, Spain, and South Korea. HII has sold over 700 REMUS vehicles to more than 30 countries, including 14 NATO members, with a 90% service retention rate over 23 years.
HII (NYSE: HII) e Babcock International Group hanno firmato un memorandum d'intesa per integrare i veicoli sottomarini senza equipaggio REMUS di HII con i sistemi di maneggio e lancio armi (WHLS) di Babcock. L'obiettivo della collaborazione è consentire il lancio e il recupero autonomo dei UUV tramite i tubi lanciasiluri dei sottomarini.
Questa intesa si basa sulla partnership strategica avviata nel 2023 e segue il successo della Marina degli Stati Uniti nel lancio e recupero forward-deployed di un UUV attraverso un tubo lanciasiluri utilizzando un REMUS di HII. La tecnologia WHLS di Babcock è già impiegata dalle flotte sottomarine di Regno Unito, Canada, Australia, Spagna e Corea del Sud. HII ha venduto oltre 700 veicoli REMUS a più di 30 paesi, inclusi 14 membri NATO, mantenendo un tasso di servizio del 90% in 23 anni.
HII (NYSE: HII) y Babcock International Group han firmado un memorando de entendimiento para integrar los vehículos subacuáticos no tripulados REMUS de HII con los Sistemas de Manejo y Lanzamiento de Armas (WHLS) de Babcock. La asociación busca permitir el lanzamiento y la recuperación autónoma de UUV a través de los tubos de torpedos de los submarinos.
La colaboración amplía su alianza estratégica de 2023 y sigue al exitoso lanzamiento y recuperación desplegado por la Marina de EE. UU. de un UUV mediante tubo de torpedo usando un REMUS de HII. La tecnología WHLS de Babcock se utiliza actualmente en las flotas submarinas del Reino Unido, Canadá, Australia, España y Corea del Sur. HII ha vendido más de 700 vehículos REMUS a más de 30 países, incluidos 14 miembros de la OTAN, con una tasa de servicio del 90% en 23 años.
HII (NYSE: HII)와 Babcock International Group는 HII의 REMUS 무인수중차량(UUV)을 Babcock의 잠수함 무기 취급 및 발사 시스템(WHLS)과 통합하기 위한 양해각서에 서명했습니다. 이번 협력은 잠수함의 어뢰발사관을 통해 UUV의 자율 발사 및 회수를 가능하게 하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
이 협력은 2023년 체결한 전략적 파트너십을 기반으로 하며, 미 해군이 HII의 REMUS를 이용해 어뢰관을 통한 전진 배치형 UUV 발사 및 회수에 성공한 사례에 이어 이루어졌습니다. Babcock의 WHLS 기술은 영국, 캐나다, 호주, 스페인 및 한국의 잠수함 함대에서 현재 사용 중입니다. HII는 14개 NATO 회원국을 포함해 30개국 이상에 700대가 넘는 REMUS 차량을 판매했으며, 23년간 90%의 서비스 유치율을 유지하고 있습니다.
HII (NYSE: HII) et Babcock International Group ont signé un protocole d'accord pour intégrer les véhicules sous-marins sans équipage REMUS de HII aux systèmes de manipulation et de lancement d'armes (WHLS) de Babcock. Le partenariat vise à permettre le lancement et la récupération autonomes des UUV via les tubes lance-torpilles des sous-marins.
Cette collaboration s'appuie sur leur partenariat stratégique de 2023 et fait suite au succès de la marine américaine dans le lancement et la récupération déployés d'un UUV via tube lance-torpilles en utilisant un REMUS de HII. La technologie WHLS de Babcock est actuellement utilisée par les flottes de sous-marins du Royaume-Uni, du Canada, de l'Australie, de l'Espagne et de la Corée du Sud. HII a vendu plus de 700 véhicules REMUS à plus de 30 pays, dont 14 membres de l'OTAN, avec un taux de fidélisation des services de 90 % sur 23 ans.
HII (NYSE: HII) und Babcock International Group haben ein Memorandum of Understanding unterzeichnet, um HIIs REMUS unbemannte Unterwasserfahrzeuge (UUV) mit Babcocks Waffentransfer- und Startsystemen (WHLS) für U-Boote zu integrieren. Ziel der Partnerschaft ist es, den autonomen Start und die Bergung von UUVs über die Torpedorohre von U-Booten zu ermöglichen.
Die Zusammenarbeit baut auf der strategischen Partnerschaft von 2023 auf und folgt dem erfolgreichen Vor-Ort-Start und der Bergung eines UUV durch die US Navy über ein Torpedorohr mit einem HII REMUS. Die WHLS-Technologie von Babcock wird derzeit von den U-Boot-Flotten in Großbritannien, Kanada, Australien, Spanien und Südkorea eingesetzt. HII hat über 700 REMUS-Fahrzeuge an mehr als 30 Länder verkauft, darunter 14 NATO-Mitglieder, und weist über 23 Jahre eine Servicebindungsrate von 90 % auf.
- Strategic partnership combines HII's proven REMUS UUV technology with Babcock's established WHLS systems
- Expands market reach through Babcock's presence in 5 major submarine fleets
- Strong track record with over 700 REMUS vehicles sold to 30+ countries
- Impressive 90% service retention rate for REMUS units over 23 years
- Builds on successful U.S. Navy deployment demonstration
- First program of its kind for Babcock Mission Systems, indicating potential implementation risks
- Complex integration challenges between different systems and technologies
Insights
HII-Babcock partnership integrates unmanned underwater vehicles with submarine systems, strengthening position in growing autonomous naval market.
The strategic partnership between HII and Babcock represents a significant advancement in submarine capability by enabling autonomous launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) through existing torpedo tubes. This collaboration bridges a critical operational gap in naval warfare technology.
The integration of HII's REMUS UUVs with Babcock's Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS) creates a compelling value proposition for allied navies seeking to extend their undersea capabilities without major submarine modifications. This approach leverages Babcock's systems already deployed across five allied nations' submarine fleets while capitalizing on HII's established REMUS platform that has seen 700+ units sold to 30+ countries.
What makes this partnership particularly notable is its alignment with evolving naval doctrine emphasizing manned-unmanned teaming operations. The U.S. Navy's successful forward-deployed UUV launch and recovery via torpedo tube serves as a powerful proof-of-concept and positions this technology as battle-tested rather than theoretical.
The remarkable 90% service retention rate of REMUS units delivered over the past 23 years demonstrates exceptional platform durability and lifecycle value—metrics that defense procurement officials prioritize when making acquisition decisions. This established track record significantly de-risks adoption of this integrated capability for potential customers.
With submarine-launched UUVs, navies gain extended sensor reach, enhanced stealth capabilities, and reduced operational risk—critical advantages in increasingly contested maritime environments. This partnership effectively positions both companies at the forefront of a transformative shift in undersea warfare doctrine and technology.
LONDON, Sept. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Babcock International Group (Babcock) and HII (NYSE: HII), signed a memorandum of understanding to bring together HII’s REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and Babcock’s world-leading submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems (WHLS). The goal of the collaboration is to deliver autonomous launch and recovery of UUVs via submarine torpedo tubes, strengthening the undersea advantage of allied navies. This is the first program of its kind within the Babcock Mission Systems business.
As UUVs become increasingly vital to future undersea operations, HII and Babcock seek to work together to jointly pursue future opportunities within the unmanned space. This joint initiative builds on Babcock and HII’s strategic partnership started in 2023, and the U.S. Navy’s first successful forward-deployed UUV launch and recovery via torpedo tube, using an HII REMUS. Babcock’s WHLS are currently in service with the submarine fleets of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Spain and South Korea.
Chris Kastner, HII, president and chief executive officer, said: “This partnership demonstrates the promise of pairing Babcock’s handling and launch system technology with the capabilities of HII’s REMUS UUVs to strengthen the undersea advantage of our allies. I am proud of HII’s leadership in advancing autonomous maritime manned-unmanned teaming operations and excited about the opportunities this collaboration will unlock.”
Photos accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-and-babcock-join-forces-to-integrate-unmanned-underwater-vehicles-with-submarine-weapon-handling-and-launch-systems/.
Sir Nick Hine, Babcock, chief executive marine, said: "Partnering with HII, we’re combining over a century of expertise in surface and sub-surface systems to further explore marine technologies and strengthen defense capabilities — this is just the beginning of future collaborations across marine programs."
Babcock has been responsible for the design, manufacture and support of submarine WHLS for the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and overseas customers for more than 50 years. Together with HII’s autonomous REMUS, Babcock and HII can offer customers more capability through the integration of the latest UUV technology into existing and new build platforms.
The U.S. Navy’s milestone operation underscores a broader transformation in undersea warfare: the growing demand for integrated manned-autonomous operations that extend reach, enhance stealth, and reduce operational risk. HII and Babcock’s collaboration positions both companies, and their allied navy customers, to lead this transformation.
To date, HII has sold more than 700 REMUS vehicles to over 30 countries, including 14 NATO members. Notably, more than
About HII
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. For more information, visit:
- HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII
About Babcock
Babcock is a FTSE 100 international defence company, operating in the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa with exports to additional markets. We deliver complex support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. We are driven by our purpose: to create a safe and secure world, together.
Contact:
Greg McCarthy
(202) 264-7126
gregory.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/62d3481b-753d-4b9b-b65e-1a6346c9b6f6
FAQ
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