Odyssey Autonomous Control System
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HII Expands European Unmanned Operations with New Facility in Portchester, UK
Globenewswire· 2026-01-12 14:00
Core Insights - HII has doubled the size of its unmanned facility in Portchester, U.K., enhancing its presence and capacity to support the U.K. Royal Navy and European partners operating the REMUS line of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) [1][7] Group 1: Facility Expansion and Capabilities - The expanded Portchester facility will serve as a European hub for HII's Mission Technologies division, providing operational, technical, and logistics support for U.S. combatant commands and allied missions [2] - The facility will also prepare for the deployment and sustainment of HII's ROMULUS family of unmanned surface vessels (USVs), which are scheduled for availability in 2026 [3] - The site will drive new jobs and support supplier engagement, maintenance, training, and long-term sustainment for operators across the U.K. and Europe [7] Group 2: Unmanned Systems Overview - HII's unmanned platforms are recognized for their modular design, long endurance, and reliable field performance, supporting various missions including mine countermeasures and environmental monitoring [4] - The REMUS family of UUVs is the world's leading UUV, known for its open-architecture design that allows for rapid integration of new payloads and mission-specific configurations [9] - More than 90% of REMUS units delivered over the past 23 years remain in service, highlighting the platform's durability and lifecycle value [13] Group 3: Partnerships and Contracts - HII signed a memorandum of understanding with Babcock International Group to integrate REMUS vehicles with Babcock's submarine Weapon Handling and Launch Systems, enhancing undersea capabilities for allied navies [10] - The Royal Navy has a long-standing partnership with REMUS, having acquired various models for mine countermeasure operations, with recent orders reflecting confidence in HII's systems [11] Group 4: Specific Product Features - The ROMULUS family of USVs is powered by the Odyssey Autonomous Control System and is designed for global mission deployment and extended autonomous operations [15][16] - The REMUS line includes several variants optimized for different mission sets, with capabilities ranging from shallow-water operations to deep-sea recovery [17]