HII and Shield AI Successfully Combine Proven Autonomy in USV Operations
HII (NYSE: HII) and Shield AI completed a three-day integrated autonomy test aboard a ROMULUS 20 unmanned surface vessel in late October 2025, marking the first maritime deployment of Shield AI’s Hivemind. The trial integrated Hivemind Enterprise SDK with HII’s Odyssey suite and succeeded less than six weeks after the partnership announcement.
ROMULUS 190 is under construction and is designed to exceed 25 knots, operate up to 2,500 nautical miles, and carry four 40-foot ISO containers, supporting rapid production and multi‑agent autonomous operations alongside crewed task groups.
HII (NYSE: HII) e Shield AI hanno completato un test di autonomia integrata di tre giorni a bordo di una ROMULUS 20 unmanned surface vessel (nave di superficie senza equipaggio) alla fine di ottobre 2025, segnando il primo dispiegamento marittimo di Hivemind di Shield AI. Il test ha integrato Hivemind Enterprise SDK con la suite Odyssey di HII e ha avuto successo meno di sei settimane dopo l'annuncio della partnership.
ROMULUS 190 è in costruzione e progettato per superare 25 nodi, operare fino a 2.500 miglia nautiche e trasportare quattro contenitori ISO da 40 piedi, sostenendo una produzione rapida e operazioni autonome multi-agente insieme a gruppi di lavoro con equipaggio.
HII (NYSE: HII) y Shield AI completaron una prueba de autonomía integrada de tres días a bordo de una embarcación de superficie no tripulada ROMULUS 20 a finales de octubre de 2025, marcando el primer despliegue marítimo de Hivemind de Shield AI. El ensayo integró Hivemind Enterprise SDK con la suite Odyssey de HII y tuvo éxito menos de seis semanas después del anuncio de la asociación.
ROMULUS 190 está en construcción y está diseñado para superar 25 nudos, operar hasta 2,500 millas náuticas y transportar cuatro contenedores ISO de 40 pies, apoyando una producción rápida y operaciones autónomas multiagentes junto a grupos de tareas tripulados.
HII (NYSE: HII)와 Shield AI는 2025년 10월 말 ROMULUS 20 무인 수상선을 탑재한 채 3일간의 통합 자율성 테스트를 완료했고, 이는 Shield AI의 Hivemind의 해양 배치 중 최초를 기록했습니다. 이 시험은 Hivemind Enterprise SDK를 HII의 Odyssey 제품군과 통합했으며 파트너십 발표로부터 6주도 채 되지 않아 성공했습니다.
ROMULUS 190는 건설 중이며 25 노드를 넘어갈 수 있도록 설계되었고, 최대 2,500 해리까지 작동하며, 40피트 ISO 컨테이너 네 개를 실을 수 있어 승조원 작업 그룹과 함께 신속한 생산 및 다중 에이전트 자율 작전을 지원합니다.
HII (NYSE: HII) et Shield AI ont mené à bien un test d'autonomie intégrée de trois jours à bord d'un ROMULUS 20, unmanned surface vessel, fin octobre 2025, marquant le premier déploiement maritime de Hivemind de Shield AI. L'essai a intégré Hivemind Enterprise SDK à la suite Odyssey de HII et a réussi en moins de six semaines après l'annonce du partenariat.
ROMULUS 190 est en cours de construction et est conçu pour dépasser 25 nœuds, fonctionner jusqu'à 2 500 milles nautiques et transporter quatre conteneurs ISO de 40 pieds, soutenant une production rapide et des opérations autonomes multi-agents aux côtés de groupes de tâches occupés par des équipages.
HII (NYSE: HII) und Shield AI haben Ende Oktober 2025 einen dreitägigen integrierten Autonomie-Test auf einem ROMULUS 20-Unmanned Surface Vessel abgeschlossen, was die erste maritime Bereitstellung von Shield AIs Hivemind markiert. Der Versuch integrierte Hivemind Enterprise SDK in die Odyssey-Suite von HII und war weniger als sechs Wochen nach der Partnerschaftsankündigung erfolgreich.
ROMULUS 190 befindet sich im Bau und soll 25 Knoten überschreiten, bis zu 2.500 Seemeilen operieren und vier 40-Fuß ISO-Container tragen, um eine schnelle Produktion und multi-agenten autonome Operationen neben bemannten Task-Groups zu unterstützen.
HII (NYSE: HII) و Shield AI أكملوا اختباراً تكاملياً للقدرة المستقلة لثلاثة أيام على متن مركب سطحـي بدون طيار ROMULUS 20 في أواخر أكتوبر 2025، مما يمثل أول نشر بحري لـ Hivemind من Shield AI. دمج التجربة Hivemind Enterprise SDK مع حزمة Odyssey من HII ونجحت خلال أقل من ستة أسابيع من إعلان الشراكة.
ROMULUS 190 قيد الإنشاء ومصمم لتجاوز 25 عقدة، والعمل حتى 2,500 ميل بحري، ونقل أربعة حاويات ISO بقياس 40 قدمًا، داعمًا الإنتاج السريع وعمليات مستقلة متعددة العوامل إلى جانب فرق المهام المأهولة.
- First maritime deployment of Hivemind during three-day test
- Integration completed in less than six weeks after partnership
- ROMULUS 190 specs: >25 knots and 2,500 nautical miles range
- Modular design supports four 40-foot ISO containers for payload flexibility
- Multi-domain capability: Hivemind + Odyssey to operate with crewed groups
- None.
Insights
HII and Shield AI completed a rapid, domain-crossing autonomy integration test aboard ROMULUS 20 on
The companies integrated Shield AI's Hivemind Enterprise SDK with HII's Odyssey suite during a three-day trial in
Key dependencies and risks include continued software maturity in maritime conditions, scaling from a single-vessel test to fleet operations, and integration with crewed strike and surface action groups as stated. Watch for delivery milestones on the lead vessel ROMULUS 190 (under construction), further multi-vessel trials, and any operational evaluations or formal government acceptance over the next 6–18 months.
SYDNEY, Nov. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) and Shield AI announced today at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition that they have successfully completed the first major test of their integrated autonomy solution aboard HII’s ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel (USV), marking a key step toward operational deployment of the AI-enabled ROMULUS fleet.
The three-day test, conducted in late October in Virginia Beach, Virginia, integrated Shield AI’s combat-proven Hivemind autonomy software, using the Hivemind Enterprise software development kit (SDK), with HII’s Odyssey autonomy suite onboard a ROMULUS 20 USV. The test also marked the first maritime deployment of Hivemind, which enables AI-powered mission autonomy across domains.
This milestone was achieved less than six weeks after the companies announced their partnership, demonstrating rapid adaptability, advanced capabilities, and strong collaboration between the two defense technology leaders.
“This collaboration between HII and Shield AI showcases how adaptable autonomy frameworks can accelerate development,” said Andy Green, president of HII’s Mission Technologies division. “Using the Hivemind Enterprise SDK, our teams integrated capabilities quickly and effectively. The successful deployment on ROMULUS 20 validates the power of this partnership and paves the way for even greater autonomy across the ROMULUS fleet.”
An image accompanying this release is available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-and-shield-ai-successfully-combine-proven-autonomy-in-usv-operations/.
ROMULUS is a modular, high-performance USV line built on commercial-standard hulls for fast production and operational flexibility. The lead vessel, ROMULUS 190, is currently under construction. Designed to exceed 25 knots and operate up to 2,500 nautical miles, ROMULUS 190 will carry four 40-foot ISO containers and feature both Odyssey and Hivemind for next-gen autonomous performance.
Hivemind enables unmanned systems to perform complex missions even in GPS- and communications-denied environments. Proven in aerial operations, Hivemind is now expanding into the maritime domain through this partnership with HII, supporting rapid development and deployment of autonomous capabilities across domains. Under this partnership, Hivemind and Odyssey will integrate into the ROMULUS fleet to operate seamlessly alongside crewed strike groups and surface action groups, while also enabling multi-agent autonomy and intelligent operations.
“Delivering autonomy across domains is key to maintaining a credible deterrent posture in today’s complex geopolitical environment. Each integration strengthens Hivemind’s role as the leading autonomy solution for defense systems,” said Nathan Michael, Shield AI’s chief technology officer and head of the Hivemind business unit. “Through close collaboration with HII and the shared use of Shield AI’s modular, open architecture SDK, we integrated advanced maritime capabilities in less than six weeks — work that typically takes months or years. We look forward to continuing to expand multi-domain autonomy together.”
Shield AI’s Hivemind mission autonomy software and HII’s Odyssey suite will deliver next-generation autonomous solutions. By combining Shield AI’s advanced autonomy with HII’s decades of maritime expertise as America’s largest shipbuilder and leading global maritime unmanned vehicle provider, the two companies aim to accelerate autonomy across domains and platforms.
About ROMULUS and ODYSSEY
ROMULUS, developed with support from HII’s Dark Sea Labs Advanced Technology Group and powered by HII’s Odyssey autonomy software, is capable of manned-unmanned teaming and collaborative operations with unmanned vehicles across all domains. HII’s Odyssey autonomy software is deployed on over 35 USV platforms and over 750 REMUS unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), across 30 countries, including 14 NATO members, and enables rapid integration of sensors and payloads for flexible mission design, enhancing the capability and effectiveness of today’s naval fleets.
About Shield AI
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology supports U.S. allies and partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Shield AI Media contact: Lily Hinz; media@shield.ai
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
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/baa6131c-d63c-4b59-b184-2a92aa3a137e
FAQ
What did HII and Shield AI announce on November 3, 2025 about ROMULUS operations?
How quickly did HII integrate Shield AI’s Hivemind after the partnership announcement?
What are the performance specifications for ROMULUS 190 mentioned by HII?
What autonomy software was tested on ROMULUS 20 during the October 2025 trial?
What operational capabilities does the Hivemind and Odyssey integration enable for HII (HII)?
