HII Announces Major Milestone for ROMULUS USV Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

HII (NYSE: HII) announced the ROMULUS unmanned surface vessel prototype reached 30% completion at Breaux Brothers shipyard on Dec 11, 2025 and remains on schedule for sea trials in Q4 2026.

ROMULUS is a modular, AI‑enabled USV family built around HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System, with reported speeds over 25 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles. The prototype integrates third‑party autonomy and sustainment tech from Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI, and follows a successful integrated autonomy test aboard ROMULUS 20 in November 2025.

Positive

• Construction 30% complete as of Dec 11, 2025
• Sea trials scheduled for Q4 2026
• ROMULUS speed >b>25 knots and range 2,500 nm
• Odyssey ACS deployed on 35 USV platforms and 750 REMUS UUVs
• Successful integrated autonomy test aboard ROMULUS 20 in Nov 2025

Negative

• Prototype remains untested at sea until Q4 2026
• Only 30% complete—major construction remains before trials

News Market Reaction

+1.11%

1 alert

+1.11% News Effect

On the day this news was published, HII gained 1.11%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

ROMULUS build status: 30% complete Sea trials timing: Q4 2026 Max speed: Over 25 knots +4 more

7 metrics

ROMULUS build status 30% complete Prototype construction progress reported in December 2025

Sea trials timing Q4 2026 ROMULUS prototype planned sea trial window

Max speed Over 25 knots ROMULUS USV design performance specification

Range 2,500 nautical miles ROMULUS USV advertised operating range

USV platforms using Odyssey More than 35 platforms Odyssey ACS adoption across USV platforms

REMUS UUV deployments Over 750 REMUS UUVs Number of REMUS UUVs using Odyssey across 30 countries

Countries with REMUS 30 countries Geographic footprint of REMUS UUV deployments

Market Reality Check

Price: $413.14 Vol: Volume 392,920 is modestl...

normal vol

$413.14 Last Close

Volume Volume 392,920 is modestly above the 20-day average of 378,682, suggesting typical but slightly elevated interest ahead of this update. normal

Technical Shares at $323.14 are trading above the 200-day MA of $253.56 and sit about 2% below the 52-week high of $329.9999.

Peers on Argus

While HII gained about 2.6%, peers were mixed: DRS up 0.56%, KTOS up 1.2%, but A...

1 Up

While HII gained about 2.6%, peers were mixed: DRS up 0.56%, KTOS up 1.2%, but AVAV down 7.19% and ERJ down 0.54%. This pattern points to a company-specific reaction rather than a broad aerospace & defense move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 09 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 09	Submarine milestone	Positive	-0.3%	Keel laying ceremony marking formal construction start for Barb (SSN 804).
Dec 09	Strategic partnership	Positive	-0.3%	Expanded Babcock partnership to build Virginia-class Block VI submarine assemblies.
Dec 08	New tech debut	Positive	+3.7%	Launch of GRIMM spectrum dominance solution for electromagnetic warfare missions.
Dec 04	Academic partnership	Positive	+2.1%	Mission Technologies joined University of Maryland engineering partner program.
Dec 04	Media advisory	Neutral	+2.1%	Media logistics for upcoming Barb (SSN 804) keel laying ceremony.

Pattern Detected

Recent defense-tech and partnership announcements have often seen positive price alignment, while some naval construction milestones drew muted or slightly negative reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the past weeks, HII has highlighted multiple defense and autonomy initiatives. On Dec. 8, 2025, the GRIMM spectrum dominance solution news coincided with a 3.71% rise. Partnerships with Babcock and the University of Maryland, plus Virginia-class submarine milestones, showed mixed reactions between -0.29% and +2.15%. Today’s ROMULUS USV progress update fits the continuing theme of autonomy-focused, multi-domain naval capabilities.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores HII’s push into autonomous naval systems, with the ROMULUS USV prototy...

Analysis

This announcement underscores HII’s push into autonomous naval systems, with the ROMULUS USV prototype now 30% complete and sea trials targeted for Q4 2026. It builds on the Odyssey autonomy suite, already used on over 35 USV platforms and more than 750 REMUS UUVs in 30 countries. Investors may watch for contract awards, deployment milestones, and integration progress with partners such as Shield AI and C3 AI.

Key Terms

unmanned surface vessel, odyssey autonomous control system, uuv, uav, +3 more

7 terms

unmanned surface vessel technical

"the company’s new unmanned surface vessel (USV) family, has reached 30% completion"

An unmanned surface vessel is a boat or ship that operates on the water without a person on board, using remote control or automated systems to navigate and carry out tasks. Investors care because these vessels can lower operating costs, open new markets (like shipping, surveillance, or data collection), and shift regulatory and competitive dynamics much like self-driving cars changed expectations for trucking and logistics.

odyssey autonomous control system technical

"integration of the HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS), and outfitting work"

An Odyssey Autonomous Control System is a combined set of software, sensors and computing hardware that lets a vehicle or industrial machine drive and make safety decisions on its own, handling steering, speed, braking and route choices in real time. Investors track these systems because they can cut labor and operating costs, open new revenue opportunities, change regulatory and liability risks, and therefore materially affect a company’s growth prospects and capital needs — like giving a vehicle its own autopilot and brain.

uuv technical

"launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)"

An UUV is an unmanned underwater vehicle — essentially a robotic “drone” that operates beneath the surface without a person aboard, used for tasks like mapping the seafloor, inspecting infrastructure, collecting scientific data, or conducting naval surveillance. Investors care because UUVs represent a growing niche in defense, energy, and marine services: companies that build or operate them can win government contracts, long-term service agreements, or technology licensing, but they also face heavy development costs and regulatory or operational risks.

uav technical

"launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)"

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft that flies without a pilot on board, controlled remotely or by onboard software like a self-driving car. Investors care because UAVs are used across industries—delivery, agriculture, inspection, mapping, and defense—so demand, regulation, or technological advances can quickly affect revenue and costs for companies that make, operate, or rely on them. Think of a UAV as a robotic helper in the sky whose growing use can change market opportunities and risks.

multi-agent swarming technical

"Odyssey enables sustained open-ocean autonomy, multi-agent swarming, modular payload integration"

Multi-agent swarming describes a group of independent software or robotic “agents” that communicate and coordinate their actions to achieve a common goal, like a flock of birds changing direction together. For investors it matters because swarming can enable faster, more resilient automation and decision-making (improving productivity or cutting costs) but also introduces new operational, security and regulatory risks that can affect a company’s performance and valuation.

manned-unmanned teaming technical

"multi-agent swarming, modular payload integration, and manned-unmanned teaming"

Manned-unmanned teaming describes coordinated operations where people in crewed platforms (like ships, aircraft, or vehicles) work together with remote or autonomous systems (drones, robots, or sensors) to accomplish tasks. Think of it as a driver and a robotic scout cooperating: the human sets goals and makes complex decisions while the unmanned systems extend reach, gather data, or handle routine work. Investors care because this approach can expand capability, reduce personnel risk, alter procurement spending, and create new technology and maintenance revenue streams, while also introducing integration and regulatory risks.

open-ocean autonomy technical

"They deliver high-endurance, sustained open-ocean autonomy with a focus on lethality"

Autonomous systems and software that allow vessels and submersible vehicles to operate, navigate and carry out tasks in the open ocean without a person on board, using sensors, satellite links and onboard decision-making. Investors care because it can lower labor and fuel costs, extend mission times, and open new services like remote surveying or cargo routes—similar to self-driving trucks on long highways—while also bringing technical, safety and regulatory risks that affect returns.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

LOREAUVILLE, La., Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) executives toured Breaux Brothers Enterprises in Loreauville, Louisiana, and announced that construction of a prototype of ROMULUS, the company’s new unmanned surface vessel (USV) family, has reached 30% completion. The vessel remains on schedule for sea trials in the fourth quarter of 2026.

During the visit, HII leaders toured the shipyard with build partners Breaux Brothers and Incat Crowther, and reviewed progress on hull construction, integration of the HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS), and outfitting work.

“ROMULUS is progressing at a pace that reflects the urgency of the mission and the strength of our partnerships,” said Andy Green, president of HII’s Mission Technologies division. “Breaux Brothers and our industry team are delivering a platform that brings scale, autonomy and real operational advantage to the fleet. At 30% complete, the ROMULUS prototype is well on its way to becoming the benchmark for unmanned surface capability.”

ROMULUS USVs are designed to meet the current and emerging requirements of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, joint forces and allies. They deliver high-endurance, sustained open-ocean autonomy with a focus on lethality, cost efficiency and scalability.

The family of USVs will support missions including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, counter-unmanned air systems, mine countermeasures, strike, and the launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

An image and video accompanying this release are available at: http://hii.com/news/hii-announces-major-milestone-for-romulus-usv-technology/.

Paired with HII’s REMUS UUVs, ROMULUS extends undersea reach and supports a scalable dual-domain force package built for distributed maritime operations.

This ROMULUS prototype is the first in HII’s modular, AI-enabled ROMULUS USV line. The ships are engineered for rapid, repeatable production and high endurance at sea. With speeds over 25 knots and a range of 2,500 nautical miles, all ROMULUS USVs are designed for mission flexibility across global theaters.

ROMULUS is built around Odyssey ACS, HII’s proven autonomy suite used across more than 35 USV platforms and over 750 REMUS UUVs in 30 countries. Odyssey enables sustained open-ocean autonomy, multi-agent swarming, modular payload integration, and manned-unmanned teaming. ROMULUS platforms will also feature integrated capabilities from Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI for enhanced autonomous performance and lifecycle sustainment.

The Odyssey software suite’s open-access, government-aligned architecture enables rapid integration of new sensors, payloads and third-party autonomy technologies. It allows industry, government and academia to test and refine capabilities, ensuring ROMULUS evolves in step with emerging naval concepts of operations.

In November, HII and Shield AI announced that they have successfully completed the first major test of their integrated autonomy solution aboard HII’s ROMULUS 20 USV, marking a key step toward operational deployment of the AI-enabled ROMULUS fleet.

ROMULUS is being developed with support from HII’s Dark Sea Labs Advanced Technology Group.

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 43,000 strong. For more information, visit:

• HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/
• HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
• HII on Twitter: 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/70334d89-e7e1-469b-8545-d1763e7233c5

FAQ

What progress did HII report for ROMULUS on Dec 11, 2025?

HII reported the ROMULUS prototype is 30% complete and on schedule for Q4 2026 sea trials.

When are ROMULUS sea trials planned for HII (HII)?

Sea trials are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

What are ROMULUS performance specs announced by HII (HII)?

HII says ROMULUS will exceed 25 knots and have a range of about 2,500 nautical miles.

Which autonomy suite powers ROMULUS announced by HII (HII)?

ROMULUS is built around HII’s Odyssey Autonomous Control System (ACS).

Has HII already tested integrated autonomy on ROMULUS before 2026?

Yes; HII and Shield AI completed a major integrated autonomy test aboard ROMULUS 20 in November 2025.

Which partners are involved in building ROMULUS for HII (HII)?

HII cited build partners Breaux Brothers and Incat Crowther, plus tech from Shield AI, Applied Intuition, and C3 AI.